Get comfortable. Your questions answered
Who is Women Like Us for?
Our focus is women who’ve had children, but we support all women (and men) who want to return to work or find a flexible working solution for their lives for whatever reason. It tends to be the most common reason for long-term career absence, but it’s by no means the only one. You might have been caring for a relative, or had to take time off due to either physical or mental ill health, or you might be older and semi-retired and now want to do something different.
That’s a very broad set of needs
True, which is why it’s a broad service. Besides, there are things that unite us all, and overall that’s what we focus on. We all want to fit our new working life in with our other commitments; we will all have learnt something from our recent experiences (if only the fact that we no longer want to do what we did before we left work); we’re all likely to be out of touch with organisations and people who can get us back to work; many of us need some support to acclimatise to the modern working environment (which, by the way, now works much more in our favour than it used to); and a lot of us could really do with a friend and mentor who believes in us and will guide us through a fresh start in a positive way.
Is there a particular sector in which you specialise?
So far many of the jobs we have placed with small businesses and charities. We approach all sectors as we are finding many employers who are desparate for experienced, skilled women in all types of roles. In fact, we’re already recruiting for large private companies and advising them on how to make flexibility work for their organisations.
My commitments have changed dramatically since I last worked. Can I be a career woman and a mum at the same time?
Absolutely. That’s what Women Like Us is all about. Our primary goal is to ensure that we fit your new work with your home life – without either of them suffering as a result. More and more organisations are adopting flexible working because they see the value of employing talented people on more accommodating terms. They can reduce their overheads, they get greater commitment and productivity and they get access to higher skill levels because they can recruit and retain a more diverse workforce. You’d be surprised how sought after you are!
I don’t want to go back to my former career. Is that going to be a problem
No. Your previous skills can almost certainly be applied to a different career, and if they can’t, then we can advise on retraining. We also believe strongly that your time away from work will have provided you with a new set of skills, personal growth, and even a new outlook on life, from which you and your new employer could significantly benefit.
Actually, I’d like to start my own business.
Great. We can help with that too. Women Like Us runs coaching workshops to help women start their own businesses, including mentoring by people who have been there and succeeded.
I know I could do really well back on the jobs market, but I don’t feel confident. Does that make sense?
Perfect sense. When you’ve been out of work for a while, particularly when kids come along, your other life becomes so all-consuming that working people almost seem like an alien race. You feel that you’ve got to learn their language and their strange customs all over again –
- Sorry, the baby’s crying. Back in a sec …
No problem.
He’s fine now. Sorry, where were we?
OK, so what we’re saying is, it’s got less to do with ability and more to do with confidence. When we first started discussing the Women Like Us concept, this was the one element that we were passionate we would address. Through the support we offer and the network of employer contacts who understand where we’re all coming from – not to mention the other people you’ll meet who are in the same position as you – you really have nothing to fear. Much of the anxiety that exists around returning to work is rooted in the worry that you won’t be able to balance work and life successfully. Believe us, you can. We’re not saying it’s easy, but it is possible, and when you get it right, it feels great. You just need to apply your skills to the right job with an employer who accepts your terms. And that’s where we come in.
So, how do you get these contacts and how do you know they’re sympathetic to flexible working?
Well, we’d like to say that it’s a complex formula, but it isn’t. Women Like Us works hard to identify local employers who have (or are prepared to consider having) flexible and part-time work opportunities. We network with a wide range of organisations and encourage the right type of employer to use our services to set up flexible working programmes and find staff. Essentially, it’s reciprocal. We have a foot in both the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ arenas.
What is flexible working exactly?
Flexible working breaks with the tradition of nine to five. Flexible employees usually have a choice of working times, number of hours per week, and working environment (such as working from home). Some companies allow their staff to choose what suits them. Others have a selection of flexible working options that fit their business operation, and staff choose what suits them best. Examples of flexible working are interim (contract), part time, remote working, compressed hours and job sharing.
You all sound very helpful, but what if I just want a job, and need to see what’s available?
Our jobs section lists a range of jobs that uniquely suit fitting work in with other commitments. It’s as simple as that. If you know what you want, and just need to dust off the old CV, then go and have a browse.
What do you do with the information on the registration form?
Any support or advice that we provide to you is kept as confidential and only passed on to third parties with your explicit permission. And as we treat everyone individually, equality of opportunity underpins all of our services.
Which areas of the UK do you cover?
At the moment, Women Like Us is based in London only. But we’re growing fast, so watch this space…
I think that’s about it. Can I get back in touch if I have any other questions?
We positively encourage women to pick up the phone talk to us. It’s great having a comprehensive website, but there really is no substitute for getting on the phone and talking with real people. If you have any other questions, please just give us a ring on 020 7281 6522.
Thanks.
You’re welcome.