The career goals of many people entail going up the career ladder. While this may be true for many ,it is up for debate for some working moms. Actually many working moms find their career no longer interesting them once they have kids , affecting their career ambitions.
As such many working moms, gladly plateau in their career or are willing to take a career step back. While some consider this a bad move, taking a career step back actually help in work life balance, spring you up for growth later, better life quality and social life among others.
How Taking a Career Step-back will Benefit you
1. Offers Moms a Better Work-Life Balance
Taking a step down allows a working mom to have a better work-life balance. It may not be possible when one is pursuing high career goals and still parenting at the same time. It is quite hard keeping up with career demands and thriving as a mother/partner.
Taking a step back in your career on the other hand frees up your time in many ways that allow you to balance your work life. The different ways a career step back enhance your work-life balance includes;
- Creating More time– A career step-back will give you more time for other thing. You are able to work regular hours with no off-duty work calls. You now can use this time with your kid/family. You can even work part-time or remotely from home.
- Better health and less Work Stress– By taking a career step-back, you will notice you have better health, which will enhance your work life balance. A step-back in your career means a lower position which has fewer work demands and responsibilities. You will therefore have good physical and mental health.
A high career position on the other hand is so demanding. Your top position, even though well-paying may require nights/weekends/and holiday hours from you.
You are required to be urgently available at any time of the day. It means that you are always working even outside ideal office hours. The work arrangement denies you any quality time you can spend with your kids/ family.
Read: Top Most Mom Friendly Jobs and Careers
2. Prepares you for Future Career Projection
Taking a career step down acts as a career springboard should you want to go up the career ladder again later. Many working moms would not entirely give up their career dreams but rather put them on hold until their kids are older.
If you are willing to get back at the game and pursue their career ambitions, a career step-back will prepare you for this projection. You can get back to your position any time you want. It becomes easier achieve this because from a low-level position, there is room to go up.
A voluntary career step back means a better career projection in the future. When you are ready you can go back up to full-time, management level and focus on going up the ladder. It does not ruin your career but levels you in a level of a ready for another launch and progression.
Read: How Children affect Women Career
3. Ensures a Solid Work History
One of the benefits of a career step back is that it ensures your work history stays solid. It allows you to take a sort of a break while remaining in the workforce. The move is technically a “break” as it involves lesser duties and responsibilities than what you have been doing.
It allows you the flexibility that a working mom desperately needs but allows you to still stay in the workforce. Quitting entirely would have negative implications on your work history. The gaps in your work history would make it hard for you to get suitable employment once you decide to resume the workforce.
For this reason, you should consider taking a step back in your career. You do not need to explain any gap because there are not any. You can explain a career step-back in your resume by pointing out you needed a change in position for health reason or personal commitments.
Read: How to Return to Work or Switch Careers after 40
4. Results in Better Health and Life Quality
When you take a career step-back, you will notice an improved quality of life. You will be working in a low position which gives you complete control of your schedule and flexibility in your day, enhancing the quality of life.
Sometimes high demanding top positions can be detrimental to one’s health. Often the physical and mental health of many top-performing women is affected by the toll from all the high intensive stress related to work.
As such you can choose health over the thrill of career advancement because you get to leave work problems at work. There are fewer demands and expectations placed on you, allowing you to balance your work and life in a better way.
A working mom in a low position is more likely to have better health overall and quality of life than a woman working in a high position. Such women easily reach burnout and suffer from stress-related illnesses such as depression.
A low position on the other hand has less demands, allowing working moms to work to be with family, and still take care of themselves. For this reason, you should consider if taking a career step back will play in your favour.
5. Allows a Convenience Job Move
For one reason or another, it becomes ideal for one to leave a position/employer and make a job switch when you take a career step back. Sometimes it is because one is unable to find an ideal low position at the same company.
Other times it’s because working moms want to leave a toxic work environment. The benefit of taking a career step back is that is allows you to move to a more convenient and favorable job or employer.
Also, some want to make the move for convenience reasons such as closeness to your home. All these reasons hence become a necessary reason for one to accept to take a career step back but in a different company.
It allows you to move specific jobs and roles that are more family friendly. Some of these roles include teaching, consultation, filing, office administration, project manager etc. These types of jobs are good for moms to step back into and will make you happier.
6. Allows you to Leave a Toxic Company
Another reason to leave your company and join a lower level position elsewhere is to avoid a toxic work environment. A career step back offers you an exit strategy.
If your workplace is toxic, consider looking for work elsewhere in lower less demanding position. A toxic environment is awful and draining and hence it is quite in order to want to move to a lower position elsewhere.
The Risk of Taking a Career Step Back for Moms
1. It Negatively Affects your Finances
While taking the career step, you need to consider the financial implications. Taking a career step back will negatively affect your finances. While a low-rank position offers these amazing benefits, it also most likely means a pay cut.
A voluntary move to a lower position will attract a reduction of your salary to match that level. Compared to the usual high-paying position you are used to or qualified for, the pay difference will matter. You, therefore, need a solid financial plan or a supportive spouse before you make this move.
2. May Results in Resentment
The career step back may make you resentful, which you need to consider when deciding to take a career step-back. You may see going back to an entry-level rank, as having wasted all the years used in building your career.
Such resentment is has negative personal and professional implications. It is hence important to make peace with your decision and know your reasons for making this move.
3. It Sets you Back Professionally
Taking a step back in career is exactly that. Its sets you back career-wise. You may hence feel like all the time and effort you have put into your career has all gone to waste. In addition, it may mean less intellectual use of your knowledge and skills.
However you may recover later when you lesser commitments and have time to go up the ladder again. Therefore it does not necessary ruin your career.
Requesting for a Lower Position at Work
After you have decided to take voluntary step back, you need to make a formal request. You can write a letter to your manager or supervisor, detailing that you are requesting for a lower position below your current title. Ensure that you list the reason why you need to make this move.
- Ensure that the position you are requesting exists and does not need to be created to make the process faster
- Have the right skills and abilities to have perform the required job so that no new training is needed
- Give your employer enough notice to fill your position- they need to find a replacement when they give a lower position
- Offer to train the person replacing you- it makes come across as cooperative
- Be willing to move departments or division to where a opening is
- Be willing to find another job elsewhere if your request is nor granted
Expert Advice on Taking a Successful Career Step Down
- Have your finances sorted out. You need to have good savings or a supportive spouse. It will allow you to have a successful step back in your career and avoid going into regrets.
- Plan out your long term career goal. Identify how you will make a career come back when and if you decide to.
- Chose a position that allows you independence and flexibility. Doing so will make sure your career step back is successful and not resentful. It means a “rank and file” position with no management roles.
- Find a support system- the career step-back move can be terrifying. You need support when you feel like you made the wrong decision and this tip will ensure your career step back is effective alongside your goals.
- Focus on the type of roles you will continue to like and be engaged in, rather than just focusing on climbing the ladder.
- Try finding a job at the same level at some other company where there are more people to share the load. Try this tip to ensure that you suffer less career implications from your career step back.
- You may not have luck trying to transfer laterally within your company and if so consider a new company.
- The academic title you earn does not define you or lock you into a certain career path. Understanding this will help you avoid resentment.
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A Guide for Creating your Career Plan
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