In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with Elly Sainsbury to talk honestly about returning to work after an almost 10-year career break raising her four children.
Now working as a Project Manager at Complete Projects, Elly shares the very real journey that took her from stay-at-home parent, through volunteering and a flexible role in a local school, to rebuilding her confidence and stepping back into the corporate world.
It wasn’t one huge leap. It was a series of smaller steps that helped Elly rediscover her skills, work out what she needed from her career and ultimately find a role offering the challenge, pay and genuine flexibility that worked for her family.
What we cover:
- Elly's career before children and why she chose to take an extended career break
- The skills she developed through parenting and volunteering – and why they mattered when she returned
- Rebuilding confidence after years outside the corporate world
- Why a flexible school role became her first step back into paid work
- The reality of childcare costs and why salary matters when considering a return
- Recognising transferable skills and avoiding underselling yourself
- Applying for roles even when you don't tick every box
- Finding an employer offering genuine flexibility and predominantly remote working
- How returning to work helped Elly rediscover an identity beyond being a mum
- Why career success can look very different after having children.
Key takeaways:
💜 You haven't lost your skills during a career break. The confidence to recognise them might take time to return, but your previous experience – alongside everything you've learned outside work – still has value.
💜 Your return doesn't have to happen in one giant leap. A smaller or more flexible role can be the stepping stone that helps you rebuild confidence and discover what you want next.
💜 Flexibility, salary, and childcare all matter. The right return-to-work opportunity needs to work financially and practically for your life – not simply get you back into a job.
Why listen:
If you've been out of the workplace for five, eight, or even ten years and you're wondering “Will anyone want me now?”, this episode is for you.
Elly's story is an honest reminder that you may be capable of far more than you currently give yourself credit for – and that a career break doesn't mean your career is over.
Your route back might look different from the one you imagined, but the right opportunity could help you rediscover your confidence, your skills, and a whole new version of career success.
Show Links:
Connect with Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn here
Connect with Elly on LinkedIn here
Visit Complete Projects website here
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