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Employment Outlook: The Great Rebalance Workforce Trends

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Written by Jessica Pierce

The number of workers who are unhappy with their jobs is at a staggering all-time high, according to Gallup, with 61% of American employees wanting to leave their current jobs in 2023. The top reasons Americans are unsatisfied with their jobs is low income and not having meaningful work. During the “Great Resignation” in 2021, 47.8 million workers in the U.S. quit their jobs, with a record 50.5 million people leaving their positions in 2022. And although the resignations are slowing in 2023, they aren’t stopping.

Workforce Trends for 2023

Smart employers are instituting an excellent hiring experience to better attract, develop and retain valuable employees. By streamlining the hiring process and communicating regularly, as well as investing in the kinds of supportive training and development that encourage employees to apply for jobs and then remain a loyal employee once hired, leaders at companies are learning that they need to offer more than just simple employment. Job seekers in 2023 are interested in working for organizations that have a robust company culture, generous benefits, and those that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 86% of employees care about a company’s DEI strategy, especially Gen Xers and Millennials.

The Candidate Experience

Unfortunately for many of the unemployed and underemployed, the candidate experience involves being disenchanted; not hearing back from hiring managers (even after going through 3-5 interviews!) and left to wonder what happened to their resume or job application. This leads to a loss of integrity with the company and fewer quality applicants for open positions. Transparency and communication are vital – especially in today’s marketplace.

Learning and Development

Companies that invest in their workers implement learning and development opportunities to encourage growth – both for the company and their employees. They build pipelines, offer training, and encourage people to step up.

When leaders at healthy companies review their processes and procedures and identify gaps, they develop programs to bridge those gaps by offering benefits, including certification programs and technology courses. By reskilling or upskilling their current employees, it helps develop the kinds of employees who are more likely to stay with the organization.

Technology Investment

When companies make a tech investment like updating software, it makes it easier for workers to do their jobs. Employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) facilitates faster decisions, improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and also helps to make current jobs easier for workers. Automating repetitive and mundane tasks allows employees to attend to tasks that require critical thinking and subjective interpretation, which can easily lead to feeling more fulfilled and having a higher job satisfaction. On average, satisfied and happy employees are 13% more productive and companies save billions when they don’t have to constantly hire and train new employees.

Work Environment

The work environment of the not-too-distant past has changed considerably amidst the recent professional global landscape. Positions where workers are able to work remotely are in high demand, with 40% of workers searching for hybrid or remote positions over in-office jobs. These kinds of jobs also often mean more flexible hours, which leads to a healthier life/work balance. This better affords individuals the chance to focus on mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. When employees struggle with their health, they might only be working at about 25% capacity. It’s also imperative that employers keep open communication and inform their employees about all the wellness programs their company offers.

Almost 60% of U.S. workers suffer from moderate to high burnout, so removing the social stigma and stressing the importance of mental health benefits will go a long way towards keeping workers happy and healthy. Unhappy employees actually cost the U.S. at least $550 billion annually. For the average company, this equates to 18% lower productivity and 15% lower profitability.

How Does Your Company Measure Up?

Ensuring your organization’s core values and company culture align with your principles will lead to a higher quality talent pool that will be attracted enough to your company to apply for your open positions. It is proven that retaining your workforce is a more successful and profitable strategy than replacing it. So establishing your business as one that cares more about its workers than the bottom line will likely lead to greater successes at all levels.

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15 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Career

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From jumping on personal development to keeping your future in mind, here are 15 answers to the question, “Can you share your most effective tips to recession-proof your career?”

  • Take Advantage of Upskilling/Development Opportunities
  • Manage Your Finances Now
  • Remain Flexible 
  • Create and Nurture Relationships
  • Keep Your Manager Informed of Your Wins
  • Stray Beyond Your Comfort Zone
  • Review Your Existing Professional Situation
  • Stay Updated With Tech Skills
  • Enter the Gig Economy
  • Get Professional Certifications
  • Keep Your Digital Presence Updated
  • Master the Transferable Skills
  • Always Be Career Cushioning
  • Learn (Basic) Software Programming Skills
  • Always Look Ahead

Take Advantage of Upskilling/Development Opportunities

Adding skills and capabilities through professional development, upskilling, and other ongoing education increases your value for potential employers. It also expands the range of job titles you’re qualified for, expanding your options for finding a new job if you’re laid off or have your hours cut. 

This can help to ensure you keep making consistent forward progress with your career, regardless of what happens in the broader economy. The great thing about ongoing education is that it will have the same benefits in a robust economy as in a weak one, and will enable you to make more and achieve higher roles within your company if you prefer to stay with the same employer. That means it doesn’t just protect your career in case of a recession but ensures you’re poised to take advantage of raises and promotions during periods of economic growth, too.

Archie Payne, CEO, CalTek Staffing

Manage Your Finances Now

One recession-proof tip is to manage your finances now. In general, it is always better to make sure that your expenses do not exceed your means, but this is especially important in times of higher uncertainty. It can take from two to six months to find a new job after unemployment, so you want to make sure that you have enough living expenses saved up for that period. 

This is important not only to make sure that you are comfortable during this time of transition but also to give you the freedom to be discerning about your next opportunity, so you don’t feel the pressure of just taking anything because you don’t have enough money to take care of yourself. 

Debt and financial obligations have a way of creating constraints that can push you to make decisions you might not have otherwise made. Therefore, while things are good, make sure that you are keeping a budget, or at least a structure, of how you are managing your funds so that you can have more freedom when things get tough.

Lorien Strydom, Executive Country Manager, Financer.com

Remain Flexible

If you want to recession-proof your career, the best tip I can give you is to remain flexible. Now, this doesn’t mean changing everything all the time, but rather, approaching your role and the chance to learn and develop in a more flexible way. 

What I mean by this is don’t dedicate all of your learning to role-specific skills, but also jump at any training opportunities which are more about soft skills and transferable skills. The more you can offer within your role, and the more adaptable you become, the less expendable you are. It’s as simple as that. 

That doesn’t mean you should be offering to do everyone’s jobs, but if purse strings are being tightened and people are being let go because of it, knowing more than just your core role can be a vital asset that will save that company money in training people to learn more down the line. Being knowledgeable about what’s around you, and not just what is in front of you, will always be an asset, especially when times are tough.

Brett Downes, Founder, Haro Helpers

Create and Nurture Relationships

Consistently creating new relationships and nurturing old ones pays dividends in one’s career, whether we are in a recession or the economy is booming. As an Executive Career Coach, I often hear clients lament they get so laser-focused on their job that they forget or fail to make room for relationship building. 

Often, they are speaking with me because this has caught up to them and they find themselves unable to progress to the next level (unsure of how to “play the political game”) or worse, without a job. The mindset reframe I offer is that creating and nurturing relationships is as much a part of any job as the nuts and bolts of one’s job description. I challenge clients to reach out to five current/former colleagues per week, religiously. 

This could be as simple as sharing a relevant article, asking about family, or requesting a coffee date. Attending industry events/meet-ups with regularity, even when we don’t feel like it, is key. Relationships matter!

Emily Golden, CEO & Strategic Talent Advisor, Golden Resources

Keep Your Manager Informed of Your Wins

Companies keep employees who perform and solve problems. Meet with your manager regularly to ensure you’re on the same page with goals and expectations, and then share those wins! If you aren’t in a position to meet with them regularly, email them and keep a copy for yourself. Depending on your personality or culture, this might feel uncomfortable initially, but no one will know how good you are if you don’t voice your good work. You need to be known as someone who gets the job done.

Julia Toothacre, Career Coach, Ride The Tide Collective

Stray Beyond Your Comfort Zone

If you’ve ever observed someone executing the same job function for many years, you know that it’s not only monotonous but also unlikely to earn you respect from your employer. After all, other people may have the same skills you do now. Consider offering your help to new projects, teams, and special projects. 

I think you should encourage yourself to take on new tasks at work. Additionally, keep an eye out for chances to innovate and advance the business. Create the framework for that idea and a workable model if there is a department that is having trouble, and a new business idea that you have for your organization can improve overall production and outcomes. Your employer will respect your initiative!

Frederic Linfjärd, Director of Growth Marketing, Planday

Review Your Existing Professional Situation

Being proactive is taking the time now to assess your current career and make a plan in case the unemployment rate soars. For suggestions on how to smoothly use your transferable talents and expertise in a different job field, think about meeting with a career coach or mentor. 

Those who are unsure if they should change careers should monitor their present employer’s performance to see if it makes sense to do so. Consider looking for a position in a different field if your company hasn’t been exhibiting any signs of expansion and other businesses in your sector appear to be having trouble as well. 

Through a side hustle, you can develop abilities for an alternative job. However, I advise choosing a side hustle that you are truly passionate about, as it will be more difficult to stick with it otherwise.

Andrew Dale, Technical Director, CloudTech24

Stay Updated With Tech Skills

Who won’t want a recession-proof job? I think everyone should go into a profession that is not affected by recession much. I have the best tip to recession-proof your career: stay relevant in the job market, and for this, be updated with new tech skills. 

Since we are living in the COVID era, tech skills can be saviors for job seekers in a recession, as employees can work remotely as well. Keep yourself updated with technologies like AI, AR, cloud computing, content marketing, and many others. These technologies are at their peak and are favorites of software development companies. They need employees who can work with these technologies, and because of the demand for technical employees in the market, it will always be easy for you to grab any new job even if you lose one. 

Even IT security and information-safeguarding initiatives are key strategic priorities. Real estate, construction, manufacturing, and retail jobs in these sectors are more likely to be affected by the recession.

Yogesh Kumar, Digital Marketing Manager, Technource

Enter the Gig Economy

In my opinion, the gig economy is a thriving sector because of the flexibility and low overhead associated with freelancing and contract labor. Rather than committing to one employer full-time, professionals in the gig economy often split their time between several gigs. 

There is no need to quit your day job in pursuit of more contract work. In order to protect your career from a downturn, it is a good idea to try out a variety of different professions so that you may gain experience in them and list them on your CV. Having multiple sources of income can help cushion the blow of a job loss. In a bind, you can always rely on your side hustle.

Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting

Get Professional Certifications

One of the best ways to survive in terms of careers during a recession is to show to employers that you are better, more valuable, and more skilled than everyone else out there. There are, of course, many ways to achieve this. 

However, the idea of getting as many professional certifications as possible really works. As a pro tip, think outside the box. Don’t just get certifications in areas in which you already have a background. Try to also diversify your skills and make yourself more adaptable to a changing work environment. 

For example, if you work in HR as I do, instead of just focusing on professional certifications in HR, get something on IT, Data Science, and others. This will make you more versatile.

Logan Nguyen, Co-Founder, MIDSS

Keep Your Digital Presence Updated

Make sure that your online presence is up to date before you explore other options in the job market. Make sure that your website, social media channels, blog, LinkedIn, and other digital platforms are properly updated. Also, make sure that your digital presence provides an accurate depiction of your interests and experience should other opportunities come your way.

Dakota McDaniels, Chief Product Officer, Pluto

Master the Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are not soft skills; rather, they are the ones that can be applied to different fields, roles, and industries. When hiring managers are looking for candidates, regardless of their experience, transferable skills take on a whole new level of importance in demonstrating value to employers. 

For example, if you’re a software engineer with strong analytical abilities, you could use those same skills in a business analyst role. If you’re an accountant with strong problem-solving skills, you could use them to become a project manager. The idea is to learn the core concepts behind each field and then apply what you know across many different roles and industries. Many of your technical or professional skills may already be transferable; it’s just a matter of identifying them and honing them further.

Karl Robinson, CEO, Logicata

Always Be Career Cushioning

The art of career cushioning is getting a lot of attention right now. It means preparing for the unexpected by polishing your resume, applying to other jobs, taking on project work, actively networking, or even starting a side gig to bring in additional income. Recession aside, regular career cushioning is a great practice to prevent stagnation in your career. 

Even people who are happy with their current company and role should work on at least one aspect of career cushioning. This could be taking on additional projects within the company, writing for industry-related publications or appearing on a job-related podcast. Updating your LinkedIn, keeping a list of your work-related wins, and writing quarterly goals are other great ways to keep your work contributions and aspirations top of mind.

Katelyn Harris Lange, Sr. Talent Sourcer, SeekOut

Learn (Basic) Software Programming Skills

In the information age, the predominant economic theme that transcends the traditional business cycle is digitization. The economy is progressively moving away from physical locations, traditional working practices, and purely offline work, and shifting towards a flexible digital economy. 

Learning to code may seem like an insurmountable task, but imagine being the only employee outside of IT who knows how to update the company website, automate tedious tasks, or analyze data without the need for expensive proprietary software. When layoffs happen, these skills will take you out of the firing line, as managers recognize your essential contributions to the smooth running of the team. This effectively recession-proofs your career, vastly reducing your risk of unemployment during an economic downturn.

Ben Schwencke, Business Psychologist, Test Partnership

Always Look Ahead

One way to recession-proof your career is to always be looking ahead at what’s coming next and think about how your skills can be adapted to fit that next big thing. Right now, climate technology is growing quickly in importance, so think about how your role and/or skills could adapt to this industry.

If you’re working in sales, research companies that are selling climate technologies. Think about what software systems are going to be needed to scale large climate tech companies. If you can constantly adapt your own skill set to meet the needs of the future, you’ll always be in a good spot!

Sotiria Anagnostou, ESG VP, STORE Capital

17 Interview Tips That Anyone Can Implement

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From preparing your responses using the STAR method to making your interview conversational, here are 17 answers to the question, “What are some top interview tips for someone who is looking to land the job they want?”

  • Prepare Your Responses Using The STAR Method
  • Tell a Short Story Relating To Your Interest For The Field of Work
  • Know What You Are Applying for
  • Make Sure You Ask Questions
  • Study the Job Posting and Company
  • Dress the Part
  • Focus on Your Body Language 
  • Align First, Then Differentiate
  • Tailor Your Responses To The Qualities They Are Looking For
  • Use a Career SWOT Analysis
  • Use Stories to Show How You Solved Job-related Problems
  • Demonstrate Your Unique Value Proposition 
  • Show Up and Be Your True Self
  • Replace “We” Examples with “I” Examples 
  • Remember Who You Are & Know Your Value
  • Do More Than Show You’re Qualified for the Role
  • Make Your Interview Conversational

Prepare Your Responses Using The STAR Method

Preparation should be your first priority. Don’t go into interviews cold – prepare your stories ahead of time using the STAR method of formatting them: Situation, Tasks, Actions, and Results. Treat each item as a subheading with bullet points beneath each to allow you to tell a clear story, relaying only the most pertinent facts illustrating why you’re the right candidate for the job. Preparation is the make-or-break thing for all candidates. As an interviewer, it was very easy to tell who did their homework beforehand, as they came across as confident and a clear communicator. Do your prep before you join the Zoom call!

Robert Svilpa, Owner, Prodigy Career Coaching

Tell a Short Story Relating To Your Interest For The Field of Work

When asked something like, “So, tell me a little about yourself,” or “Why do you want to work with us?” don’t rehash your academic history. Smile and tell a short story about what got you interested in the field of work the job requires or the company does. For example: “When I was in high school, a teacher told me to find something I love to do and pursue it for a career. Unlike a lot of kids, I always loved helping my mom and dad do yard work. Everything from mowing the grass to helping pick out plants for our flowerbeds every spring made me feel like I helped create something beautiful for everyone to enjoy. So when I saw the job for GreenThumb Nursery, I couldn’t get my application in fast enough!

Carmie McCook, President, Carmie McCook & Associates

Know What You Are Applying for

Before you start to construct your answers, read the entire job posting, job description, and research the company itself. Too often, candidates come into an interview prepped with generic answers, ready to talk about themselves. They end up losing critical interview marks.

Think of your interview as a business transaction. The company is trying to determine if you are their best return on investment (ROI). You need to demonstrate not only what you know and what experience you have, but also how it links up with the job you are applying for and the company’s strategic goals. In other words, prove to them that they should choose you; prove that you are their best investment for this particular job.

Carrie-Lynn Hotson , CHRL, HR Specialist-interview Coach, Job Interview Coach

Make Sure You Ask Questions

As much as a prospective company is interviewing you, you are also interviewing them. Make sure you ask questions to help you evaluate your decision! Doing this allows you to also display your interest in the company. Not doing so can allow your interviewers to think that you may not have much investment in them. In addition, prepare your answers in advance, and actively listen to make sure your question wasn’t answered during the interview process; it is okay to ask the hiring manager to expand.

Here are some questions you can ask in your interview:

1. What challenges is the company currently facing?

2. What are some of their proudest achievements?

3. Why did they choose (insert company) here?

4. What would be your expectations in the first 6 months?

5. How do you recognize the success of your employees?

6. What are your current Diversity and Inclusion initiatives?

Sabrina Morris, Talent Acquisition Partner, AstraZeneca

Study the Job Posting and Company

Whether interviewing for a private sector or federal government job, you’ll need to study the job posting and company. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the organization by reviewing its website, especially its mission statement, history, and values. You can use this information as talking points during your interview to show you researched the company. Additionally, review the duties and skills from the job posting. Ensure you can articulate how your experience aligns with those skills and provide examples of your competency in those areas.

Janine Wiggins, CEO, Resumes By Neen, LLC

Dress the Part

The way you dress and appear communicates your credibility, authority, and confidence and forms an impression in the first seven seconds. Make sure you look the part for the job position you are seeking. For instance, if you’re seeking to be a CEO, dress in business formal, and if you want an entry-level job, dress in business casual.

Tanya Garg, Image Consultant and Personality Development Trainer, Tanya Image Makeover

Focus on Your Body Language 

Most applicants forget about the HOW and instead concentrate on what questions to ask during the interview. Focus on your body language and learn how to make a good impression with it to ace your interview! You may stand out from the competition by using hand movements, eye contact, and passion.

Karishma Dandona Sethi, Interview Coach, Information Tech Consultants

Align First, Then Differentiate

Your first job is to align with the job, showing you have the hard skills and the deal-breakers that the company needs. Once the required skills, education, and training are established, you’ll want to dig into what makes you different from other applicants.

Some examples of how you can differentiate are:

  • Highlighting relevant industry awards or recognition
  • Sharing examples of unique experiences or projects you’ve managed
  • Discussing any certifications or additional education you have received
  • Explaining times when you have worked well under pressure or handled unexpected challenges
  • Outlining your ability to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and teams
  • Giving details of your experience working with cutting-edge technologies
  • Describing your ability to adapt to change or a major company reorganization

Paula Christensen, Certified Professional Resume Writer and Interview Coach, Strategic Career Coaches

Tailor Your Responses To The Qualities They Are Looking For

This is an age-old question that is used for behavioral interviews. The key part of this is to really read the job description. If they are asking for some specific soft skills, then make sure to align your strengths with those soft skills. If they want someone who is working with others in collaborating, talk about how you are the person on your team whom people turn to when they need help with a project.

On the flip side, when you are asked about your weaknesses, it is absolutely critical to make sure that you don’t say one of your weaknesses is a quality that they are looking for. For example, if they are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, don’t say that you are more of a “big picture person.” It is absolutely critical to read the job description prior to these questions being answered.

Tazeen Raza, Executive Coach, Tazeen Raza

Use a Career SWOT Analysis

The top tip I give job seekers preparing for an interview is to prepare a Career SWOT Analysis. Like a traditional SWOT analysis, you will be addressing your internal strengths and weaknesses and the external environment’s opportunities and threats. While you likely have a library of strengths, now is your chance to cherry-pick those most applicable to this opportunity! The knowledge you gather while noting the opportunities and threats to the company shows the interviewer your interest in the industry and the problems they face.

Leah Stallone, Career Coach, Corporate Trainer and Founder, The Career Edit, LLC

Use Stories to Show How You Solved Job-related Problems

Through research, networking, and early-stage interviewing, work to uncover and understand why they are filling the position-the specific problems and challenges they want you to address. Then prepare your success stories-examples of how you have solved exactly those kinds of problems and delivered results in the past. In your interview, use the CAR (Challenge-Action-Result) format to tell a clear, succinct, and relevant success story that demonstrates your specific skills. Your specific examples will elevate your skills from theory to hard evidence. Also, stories are memorable and will distinguish you from every other candidate. Finally, by sharing an example that is relevant to the employer’s needs, you show that you understand the challenges of the job and are ready to perform.

Louise Kursmark, Master Resume Writer, Best Impression Career Services

Demonstrate Your Unique Value Proposition 

In a saturated job market, with many other qualified candidates competing for senior-level positions, it’s important to promote your unique skills and talents to show your value proposition.

You need to know your value, to convey your value – spend some time reflecting on the times you made a remarkable impact, the relevant skills you were using, and how your talents benefited previous employers. Are you operating over and above the benchmark for the role and do you know your relevant skills and strengths? Have you strong examples with quantifiable evidence to demonstrate you are capable of next-level responsibilities and delivering on the required competencies?

By comfortably articulating your value proposition at the interview through strategic storytelling, you will grab the interviewers’ attention, and build trust conveying a confident, competent individual who is ready to lead their organization to success!

Louise Nevin, Career and Leadership Coach, Louise Nevin Coaching

Show Up and Be Your True Self

Your pre-interview research isn’t only for collecting facts about the company; it’s also an ideal time to do a gut check on how well the company’s culture aligns with your work style, beliefs, and values. Ask yourself: Is this my kind of place? Are these my kind of people? If they are, your true-to-you responses and genuine interest in the company will shine through during your interview. Ignore any advice to “fit in just to get in.” Be yourself, and look for work where you will be welcomed.

Jennifer Shryock, Job Interview Coach, Career Strategist, Jennifer Shryock

Replace “We” Examples with “I” Examples 

One of the most common errors candidates make in an interview is hiding their individual contributions. They do so by answering questions with phrases like, “We came together to address the problem and then we came up with a solution.”

Although this might seem like the right response, it will leave the hiring team thinking, “But what did you do?” Instead, describe the situation from your perspective and highlight your individual contribution. “I worked with my team to brainstorm potential solutions, and then I created proposals for each solution.”

Chris Kapusta, Recruitment Manager, Brunel

Remember Who You Are & Know Your Value

My top interview tip for job seekers is to understand their value. The ability to demonstrate healthy self-confidence is vital to the success of their career-search campaign. It also aids in presenting relevant accomplishments and potential contributions in a compelling manner. Finally, when job seekers know their value, it’s empowering, it fuels confidence, and it’s key to negotiating a desired salary.

Wanda Kiser, Founder and Interview Coaching Specialist, The Interview Guru

Do More Than Show You’re Qualified for the Role

Showcase the experiences and skills that you have that match the role you want. It’s more than just showing that you’re qualified for the position. Pick the events and accomplishments from your work history that speak to your expertise and that suggest you would be the best choice for the position. Once you’ve selected your best examples, take time to rehearse your answers out loud so that you sound confident and organized.

Mary Despe, Recruitment Consultant and Career Coach, MK Despe Consulting LLC

Make Your Interview Conversational

Avoid the typical robotic question-answer, question-answer interview format and make the conversation more conversational!

To achieve this, you can: 

  • Offer options when answering questions (“I could tell you about a time when X, or I could tell you about a time when Y”)
  • Keep your answers short and then ask if they want you to elaborate
  • When it’s your turn to ask questions, make sure you’re not just moving on to the next question after they give an answer.

Ask a follow-up question or make a comment about how your experience connects to their answer. By doing so, you are likely to get the employer talking. According to an MIT study, the ideal mix that results in a hire is for you to talk 50% of the time and the employer to talk 50% of the time. Showing genuine interest in the employer and their company can also make you more likable, and humans hire people they like.

Kendra Neipp, Interview Coach, Coaching with Kendra

 10 Tips for Returning To Work As A New Mom

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From easing back in with a trial run to adhering to a smart plan, here are 10 answers to the question, “What are some tips you have for mothers returning to work after having a baby?”

  • Prepare a Trial Run of the Morning Routine
  • Do a Stepped Return
  • Prioritize Your Mental Health First
  • Lean into the Discomfort
  • Get Yourself Ready to Spend Time Apart
  • Always Have a Backup Caregiver
  • Feel Ok Enjoying Your Time Away from Your Baby
  • Make a Plan Before You Head Back to Work
  • Check Company Policy for Benefits and Facilities
  • Find a Way to Pump During the Workday

Prepare a Trial Run of the Morning Routine

As a mother returning to the office, you probably recall how it looked before your maternity leave. But now, many things are different, including your morning routine. 

With a child on a board, you will have less time than before to get down to work, and your morning schedule will be different. Do not let it surprise you. 

Make a trial run of your “business morning” before and wake up earlier in the first week of returning. It will save you from at least some of the stress.

Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing & Outreach Manager, US Visa Photo

Do a Stepped Return

When I returned to work after having my baby, I was nervous about how I would balance everything. I talked to other moms and did some research, and the best advice I found was to do a stepped return. 

This means gradually increasing the days and hours you’re away from your baby until you’re back to working full time. For me, this meant starting with two days a week, then adding an extra day every couple of weeks. It was a slow process, but it gave me time to adjust and transitioned back to work much easier. 

If you’re thinking of returning to work after having a baby, I would definitely recommend doing a stepped return. It’s a great way to ease into things and make sure you’re still able to spend quality time with your little one.

Lorien Strydom, Executive Country Manager, Financer.com

Prioritize Your Mental Health First

One of the most important things for mothers returning to work after having a baby is to prioritize their mental health. It’s difficult to manage the demands of a full-time job and motherhood, and it’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally. 

One way to do this is to set aside time each day for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes. Whether you use this time to read, take a walk, or simply sit in silence, making time for yourself will help you recharge and feel more capable of managing the demands of work and motherhood. 

Additionally, it’s important to be honest with your employer about your needs and boundaries. If you need flexible hours or the occasional work-from-home day, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. By prioritizing your mental health, you’ll be setting yourself up for success both at work and at home.

Jim Campbell, Founder, Wizve Digital Marketing

Lean into the Discomfort

I went back to work eight weeks after my second child was born. I knew sending her to daycare would mean lots of interruptions to my schedule—taking extra sick days since she would be exposed to lots of other babies, forgetting important things like blankets, extra clothes, or extra diapers, etc.

I was such a perfectionist and drove myself mad trying to remember and balance all the things. But once I started leaning into the chaos and expecting interruptions to my schedule, life magically felt easier. It no longer felt like an interruption or challenge when I had to step outside my normal workflow.

Leaving your baby to go back to work is hard enough; don’t make it harder on yourself by fighting against uncomfortable feelings. Accept life’s different now and you can’t be the same employee you were before the baby.

Alli Hill, Founder & Director, Fleurish Freelance

Get Yourself Ready to Spend Time Apart

One challenge for a mother returning to work after maternity leave is getting herself, and the baby used to spend time apart. After weeks or months together, you may consciously or subconsciously worry about the baby, and this is understandable. 

However, instead of focusing on your work, you daydream about your child and get distracted. Your mental unpreparedness to leave your child with somebody else makes it difficult to find yourself at work and to adapt to changes that may have occurred in the company. 

So before you return to work, get used to being away from your child. Start by leaving your baby with a nanny or family member every day for a few hours. Consider dropping off your child at daycare a few days early before you return to work. This way, you gradually get used to not being around, and you can finally focus on your professional duties while you work.

Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Live Career

Always Have a Backup Caregiver

Arrange for child care as soon as possible, possibly even before or after your baby is born. Most centers and services have waiting lists, particularly for children under the age of two. Other people who care for your child may require time to organize their other obligations.

Have a backup caregiver for your child in case their regular caregivers become ill or become unavailable. This will relieve you of some stress and worry. The key is to find someone who can assist you on short notice and who you can trust. Friends, playgroup parents, grandparents, other relatives, and partners are all possibilities.

Jennie Miller, Co-Founder, MIDSS

Feel Ok Enjoying Your Time Away from Your Baby

Earlier this year, I returned to work after taking a year off after my daughter’s birth. Leading up to it, I was worried about how much we would miss each other. She was born during the pandemic, so we spent a lot of time just the two of us.

There was an adjustment period, but especially once I knew my daughter was happy with her childcare, I started to love my time away from her. Going back to work helped me to reconnect with parts of my identity that I love but had lost while at home.

I’ve also realized that having time apart makes our time together that much better. I rarely get overwhelmed or lose my cool with her, and she rarely seems frustrated or sick of me. I love my daughter so much and appreciate every minute I have with her. I also appreciate my time without her.

Lindsey Fontana-Dreszer, Founder, Dogby

Make a Plan Before You Head Back to Work

As someone that struggled after having my own child, I’d suggest you make a plan before you head back to work. Know what hours you’ll be working, whether you’ll need child care, and how much money you’ll need to make each month to cover your expenses.

It’s also vital to have a strong support network in place comprising friends or family members who can help with things like watching them for an evening so you can get some time for yourself. Finally, remember that it’s ok to ask for help—no one can do it all on their own!

Sarah Holmes, Homesteader, WhatYurt

Check Company Policy for Benefits and Facilities

While every HR team and hiring manager makes it a point to offer every assistance possible to a new mother returning to work, it is always possible that they might have missed mentioning a few details. 

Therefore, diving deep into the company’s policy will help you check on crucial information. Arrangements offered by companies could range from extra remuneration for daycare or even partnerships with in-house daycare facilities to easy working hours or a shift to a less-stressful job position to enable a new mother to handle her new responsibilities as a mom with relative freedom.

Learning about these and more potential benefits and facilities is possible only when you check in with the employee handbook or company policy for specific information related to mothers returning to work.

Riley Beam, Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.

Find a Way to Pump During the Workday

Studies show that breastfeeding mothers are more likely to experience higher levels of stress and exhaustion, which can negatively affect their ability to function at their best. 

One way to combat this is to find a way to pump during the workday. This can be challenging, but a combination of creativity and determination can help you find a way to successfully accomplish this.

Some employers are required to provide a private space to pump, so ask your HR department if this is available to you. If not, perhaps you can use a conference room or find a coworker who would let you use their office. 

If you can find a way to pump during the workday, you’ll be that much more likely to balance your responsibilities as a mother and a professional.Matthew Ramirez, CEO, Rephrasely

How Personal Brand Applies In The Job Search Process

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What is one way a “personal brand” is relevant when applying and interviewing for a job role?

To help you make the best of your online presence, we asked C-suite executives and other career experts this question for why they think branding is critical. From showing off your core values to proving your initiative, there are several reasons below why you should take building a strong personal brand seriously when entering the job market.

Here are 11 reasons your personal brand is essential to becoming an attractive candidate for any role:

  • Shows Employers Your Core Values
  • Aligns Your Interview Answers With Your Online Persona
  • Gives Potential Employers Insight 
  • Battles the Recruiters’ Paradox of Choice
  • Creates Your Real First Impression
  • Makes You Strategically Attractive For Higher Positions
  • Proves to Be the Best Candidate Differentiator
  • Lets Your Personality Shine Through
  • Helps Make Common Connections With the Interviewer
  • Attracts the Right Opportunities
  • Demonstrates You Have Initiative

Shows Employers Your Core Values

Businesses are not only looking for skills but the core values of a candidate, and this is one reason having a personal brand can play an important role in applying for and interviewing for a job.

Just as businesses use marketing to convey their brand’s values to their customers, personal brands work much the same way.

By using your LinkedIn and other professional accounts to tell your story, demonstrate your values, display your growth, and talk about your skills and passions, you will showcase who you are in a manner that is not common to most job-search formats.

In using your professional social media accounts to highlight personal attributes and core values, you will effectively market your personal brand and better your chances in the application and interview process.

Greg Gillman, Chief Revenue Officer, MuteSix

Aligns Your Interview Answers With Your Online Persona

Interviewers are savvy and often check online profiles on various social media platforms. They’ll look at your posts, opinions, pictures, and other content that you’ve shared. All of this contributes to your personal brand. 

Many people will tell you to take an inventory of your online persona and edit out those things that can harm your job prospects. But what many people ignore is the lack of alignment that can arise when your social media content doesn’t match the answers you give in an interview. 

The best way to solve this is by being honest. You don’t have to share everything in an interview. But, you also shouldn’t pretend to be someone you’re not. An interviewer will see straight through it if they’ve spent a little time studying your personal brand online. 

Instead, focus on how the different dimensions of your personality—and brand can be seen as a positive for the company. Then, when those aspects show through in your online posts, they’ll feel aligned with your interview answers.

Dennis Consorte, Digital Marketing & Leadership Consultant, Snackable Solutions

Gives Potential Employers Insight 

An online personal brand affects the preconceived notions the interviewer may have of your skill set. 

For example, if you position yourself as an expert on LinkedIn, the preconceived beliefs about your professional value will be in your favor. Your personal brand relieves some of the heavy lifting in the interview; with readily available anecdotes online, it makes it easier for potential employers to get an idea of your values.

Patricio Paucar, Co-Founder & Chief Customer Officer, Navi

Battles the Recruiters’ Paradox of Choice

A personal brand makes you go from a number or name in the sea of applications to a person—as odd as it sounds—it humanizes you. 

The dark reality of today’s society and recruitment processes is that there are so many options to choose from that it all becomes a digit that often obscures the individuals’ complexity and the qualities they offer. 

Having a personal brand pushes you above the pile and makes you a recognizable and desired player. The paradox of choice is a real thing, and it concerns recruiters as well. A personal brand boosts your image and lets you control to a much greater extent how you are perceived when applying for jobs, making you a bold, unique, and high-value contender. Thanks to this, you will surpass the recruitment challenge of the paradox of choice.

Nicole Ostrowska, Career Expert, Zety

Creates Your Real First Impression

I’m a BIG believer in personal branding and have worked very hard to build mine on both LinkedIn & our company page.  

When someone applies for jobs the FIRST thing recruiters/employers do is check the resume against their LinkedIn account for consistency & to get acquainted in a non-committal “safe space.” That’s your first impression and you can control the narrative. 

It can either be an asset or a liability depending on several factors like a professional headshot, consistency with resume, and personal branding like recommendations/published work. This is how I differentiate myself.

I ask for branding content from my candidates via success story feedback for our website and recommendations for my LinkedIn. These endorsements can be the difference between whether top talent works with me versus the many other recruiters that approach them. 

The best part is this branding is FREE! Does your LinkedIn make a 10/10 impression? If not, it’s like using your worst photo on a dating app, very limiting.

Matthew Jones, Senior IT Recruiter, VIP Staffing

Makes You Strategically Attractive For Higher Positions

Personal branding applies only to strategic positions, not every job. These positions require credible candidates who take responsibility for their actions and decisions—and care about their reputation as experts in the field.

Companies don’t want anyone with an unprofessional image representing their brand. They want people who are passionate about what they do and can communicate that passion to all the employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

In fact, sometimes personal branding helps candidates appointed to a significant position in the company without having to go through the typical recruitment process of interviews, tests, and assessment rounds. 

It gives an advantage over those candidates who don’t have a strong personal brand and makes themselves more visible to recruiters.

Arkadiusz Terpilowski, Head of Growth & Co-Founder, Primetric

Proves to Be the Best Candidate Differentiator

Establishing a personal brand, or the image and characteristics thought of when you are considered professionally for a new role, can be the calling card that helps you to stand out from the rest regarding an interview process or candidate selection process. 

Being known in your industry or amongst peers as a subject matter expert relative to a certain function or skill set, coupled with a personal brand that embodies work ethic, connections, and a measurable ROI to a company associated with your work,  will help you stand out more than the candidate that just has a “good resume.” 

Establishing a professional brand can start with a LinkedIn profile, but what makes it tangible and real is support from those in your network through recommendations and endorsements. A presence at industry events as a speaker, panelist, or expo presenter will also bolster your brand.

Tiffani Murray, Director, HR Tech Partners, LinkedIn

Lets Your Personality Shine Through

A major part of the interview process revolves around striking a good rapport with your interviewer. Having a solid personal brand can be a great way to achieve this because it lets your personality take the spotlight. 

Your resume, for instance, only talks about your achievements and experience—it does little to paint a clear picture of your personality. A personal brand, on the other hand, lets you express yourself a lot more and interviewers can actually connect with who you are and fill in the missing gaps.

Guy Sharp, Relocation Advisor, Andorra Guides

Helps Make Common Connections With the Interviewer

Experience and skills are important in leaving a great impression on the interviewer, but communication also plays an essential role in setting you apart from your competitors. 

Engaging in small talk not only leaves a lasting impression, but also establishes a connection between the job seeker and the interviewer. Thus, it helps to showcase your personal brand as well. 

Before appearing for an interview, try going through the background of the interviewer to find the most common topic of interest. Some topics may help in promoting your personal brand. For example, passion, hobbies, and professional interests. Keep in mind, you might offend the interviewer by discussing political or religious topics.

Zephyr Chan, Founder & Growth Marketer, Living The Good Life

Attracts the Right Opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of having a personal brand is that it allows you to evaluate what is truly important in your professional life. 

When you can do this and present it confidently amongst your peers, your network, and potential employers, you’re more likely to land opportunities that align with your long-term goals and true interests. 

This benefits both yourself and your employer as it serves to move you both in the right direction.

Larissa Pickens, Owner, Repeat Replay

Demonstrates You Have Initiative

You want recruiters and hiring managers to take comfort in knowing that you’re able to take the initiative. If you can successfully promote yourself with just a social media platform (or two) and some well-honed instincts, just think how well you can promote an established brand. 

If you’re interviewing for a marketing role at a company, it will serve you well to show the hiring managers you know how to sell a brand, that includes your personal brand. 

You may even come with a robust, built-in following, which is something that is sure to appeal to any company looking for more exposure.

Emily Saunders, Chief Revenue Officer, eLuxury