Being a woman and a parent concurrently is surely no walk in the park.
I decided a few months back, to get a regular full time position. It was time to relook at my portfolio, I felt I would start falling back in times and demand if there was any further delay.
I used LinkedIn for my job hunt, and the more I browsed through, the worse I felt. I could sense the need to improve myself in today's context, especially for people from my 'era' of graduating before social media became the buzz. What I do have is the hands-on experience, perhaps a bit of different departments, not a niche expert though.
The problem about looking at LinkedIn I felt, was that only the big brands stood out, and as such, the number of applicants per job was ridiculous. It was just too easy to click "Apply Now" in today's digital platform. Naturally, many of such applicants would have just clicked without reading much about the job description. I began to wonder what a tough time HR would have had going through those hundreds of applicants per position.
I had many thoughts as weeks passed when I didn't get much positive response, if at all. Was there something wrong with me? My portfolio? Had I lost touch (I sensed the fear many stay-home-mums who wish to return to work must have felt)? Was I overly choosy? What made me feel worse off was when I read articles about increased unemployment rates. I began to feel horrible for a while. And just at that time, invitations for a few interviews came in.
To cut it short, I eventually received 2 job offers, both favourable. That really made my week. Of course, I had to choose 1, and I was really looking forward to start. Worries about the family logistics set in, but I had to do what I had to do yea? Mummy guilt did set in, it was not easy balancing that, but I had to stay strong and focused. I had been lucky to always have had shorter work hours, or flexi schedule. This time, it'll be very different. Could I adjust? I had to make alot of logistical arrangements to make it work.
I reported to work this week. I had a very busy schedule, the work is challenging, but I feel driven, and I feel I could be useful in what I'm tasked with. I like it. The environment I am now in is rather different from the ones I've been in. Lucky for me, proximity to work is not far at all.
My family, husband and kids have been supportive. But I started to see more frequent arguments between the kids, are they acting up from my absence? Mummy guilt sets in now and then (especially that it's exam season now), but I constantly remind myself that things will have to fall in place somewhat, and it will somehow.
Am I happy? Yes I am. I landed a position I really like, and do enjoy. I'll need teach the kids the new routines, I'll need be more hardworking to balance work, kids, family and household. But it's now or never, when I feel I'm in my prime, not an old froggie.
Being a woman and a parent concurrently is surely no walk in the park.
I used LinkedIn for my job hunt, and the more I browsed through, the worse I felt. I could sense the need to improve myself in today's context, especially for people from my 'era' of graduating before social media became the buzz. What I do have is the hands-on experience, perhaps a bit of different departments, not a niche expert though.
The problem about looking at LinkedIn I felt, was that only the big brands stood out, and as such, the number of applicants per job was ridiculous. It was just too easy to click "Apply Now" in today's digital platform. Naturally, many of such applicants would have just clicked without reading much about the job description. I began to wonder what a tough time HR would have had going through those hundreds of applicants per position.
I had many thoughts as weeks passed when I didn't get much positive response, if at all. Was there something wrong with me? My portfolio? Had I lost touch (I sensed the fear many stay-home-mums who wish to return to work must have felt)? Was I overly choosy? What made me feel worse off was when I read articles about increased unemployment rates. I began to feel horrible for a while. And just at that time, invitations for a few interviews came in.
To cut it short, I eventually received 2 job offers, both favourable. That really made my week. Of course, I had to choose 1, and I was really looking forward to start. Worries about the family logistics set in, but I had to do what I had to do yea? Mummy guilt did set in, it was not easy balancing that, but I had to stay strong and focused. I had been lucky to always have had shorter work hours, or flexi schedule. This time, it'll be very different. Could I adjust? I had to make alot of logistical arrangements to make it work.
I reported to work this week. I had a very busy schedule, the work is challenging, but I feel driven, and I feel I could be useful in what I'm tasked with. I like it. The environment I am now in is rather different from the ones I've been in. Lucky for me, proximity to work is not far at all.
My family, husband and kids have been supportive. But I started to see more frequent arguments between the kids, are they acting up from my absence? Mummy guilt sets in now and then (especially that it's exam season now), but I constantly remind myself that things will have to fall in place somewhat, and it will somehow.
Am I happy? Yes I am. I landed a position I really like, and do enjoy. I'll need teach the kids the new routines, I'll need be more hardworking to balance work, kids, family and household. But it's now or never, when I feel I'm in my prime, not an old froggie.
Being a woman and a parent concurrently is surely no walk in the park.
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