Struggling to Rejoin HR After a 5-Year Break: How Can I Find a Job Again?

Seeking Career Advice After a Break

I have been a stay-at-home mother for the last 5 years. Since I live in a nuclear family, I had to take care of my baby and leave a flourishing career in HR all those years ago. I have 6 years of experience working with various companies, with Times of India being one of them, as an HR business partner. Now, I am looking for a full-time or part-time job as my kid is now 5 years old and is mature enough to stay without me for a couple more hours after school. I have been trying to find a job opportunity for the last 6 months, but have had no such luck. I have not received even one call, not even for a telephonic interview. I regularly update my resume and keep applying to various jobs, but to no avail.

I already feel outdated and defeated. I am a humble person with very good communication and interpersonal skills. I am proficient in MS Word and have a clear understanding of HR concepts. I may need some brushing up, but I believe it would not take me much time to get back into the flow of work. My husband is the VP-HR of a reputed organization in Gurgaon and helps me whenever I am stuck. One of his consultant friends suggested I should show fake continuous experience since it's difficult to get a job now with my kind of gap, but I find that highly unethical. I have done nothing wrong by taking a step back from work for my kid, which is the world's most important job. I should not have to resort to such measures to secure a decent job. I don't demand a high salary, I am ready to join in a short time, and I have no qualms about the profile either since I have handled all the functions of HR before. Still, I don't understand why I am unable to find one job for myself!

Can anyone please offer me some suggestions? Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards, Poonam

Hi Poonam,

We may have a part-time/freelancer role in HR. Would you be interested? Please share your resume so that I can show it to my boss and let you know. Our email is ascensionconsult@rediffmail.com.

Thanks

I really appreciate that you took the time to care for your child, and it's definitely as important, if not more so, than having a career. Please don't let this bring you down. You have a legitimate reason to feel low self-esteem, but you need to be patient. Look for companies that encourage women returning from maternity career breaks!

This website has vacancies for moms who want to return to work: https://www.jobsforher.com/

Also, go through an excerpt from an article below:

https://sheroes.in/articles/8-indian...for-women/OTQ4

All the best, and cheer up! :)

Intel

Intel India has launched a one-of-its-kind "Home to Office" initiative that will help bring women back to work from their career breaks due to family or personal needs. For more details, go here.

Tata Second Chance Internship Programme

Launched in March 2008, it is a career transition management programme for women professionals who have taken a break of 6 months or more for any reason and wish to re-enter the professional space. The programme provides opportunities for such women to take on flexi-hour assignments with various TATA group companies.

GE

The RESTART program at GE's John F Welch Technology Centre, Bangalore, focuses exclusively on hiring women scientists and engineers who have taken a career break and wish to get back to work.

Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) Career by Choice

Based on the insight that there is a need for a gradual transition as women on a career break step back into the working world. To ease this transition, HLL designed a comprehensive programme that balances a woman's personal and professional needs. Career by Choice allows women to structure their work around their life and vice versa!

IBM 'Bring Her Back Program'

Meant to attract back women who have taken a mid-career sabbatical. Any woman professional with the requisite skill set can apply, and anyone with, at maximum, three years of personal sabbatical qualifies for the programme. Began in 2011.

SAP 'Stay in Touch'

The company ensures that women employees return to work after a sabbatical or maternity leave.

Axis Bank - India

In 2014, the bank started 'Re-connect'—a program that offered jobs to former women employees who have left the system in the past 10 years, in select states. For more, click here.

Philips - Back in the Game (B.I.G.)

A unique initiative recently launched by Philips India that provides a platform for women talent to return to a corporate career at Philips, post a break in their career (due to lifestyle, personal, or any other reason). This internship program is aimed at providing these interns with necessary mentorship and an environment of flexibility as they resume their careers at Philips.

Regards

Your decision to restart your career is highly appreciated. In fact, this should be recognized, and more opportunities should come your way, rather than being seen as a handicap with a certain stigma attached to those who have taken a career break.

However, times are changing, and more companies are realizing that taking a break from one's career can be beneficial. One should not be expected to work continuously until retirement. These breaks are opportunities to relieve stress, renew oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually, and fulfill family responsibilities and obligations.

VINI.WONDERS has given you some very good suggestions. Please pursue those leads. Keep at it; sooner than you think, some good opportunities will present themselves.

Warm regards.

Hi Poonam,

You are interested in a job, but you have not mentioned your location or the type of job you are looking for. It would be better if you provide some basic information, which would make it easier for us to assist you.

Regards,
Priyanka

Appreciate your help, guys.

Dear Priyanka,

I reside in South Delhi and am looking for something in nearby locations.

Hi Reshma,

Is it a full-time or a part-time opportunity? Full-time in Gurgaon would mean I would reach home very late, which is not feasible for me. So, let me know.

Regards,
Poonam