Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21 - 332

but you'll also become visible to senior
management and develop your social skills.
Large networking events are great for
the potential number of people you'll
meet, but smaller coffee meetings with
four or five people are valuable too. Don't
be afraid to host a small networking coffee
if you meet a few people who you think
could all learn from each other - even if
it needs to be a virtual coffee over Zoom.

Can I have a baby and protect
and maintain my career?
How do I ask for a promotion or pay rise?
Do your research - there's no point in asking for a promotion if
the role you want either doesn't exist or isn't vacant. Likewise,
why ask for a pay rise if you're aware there's no budget, or
if staff wages have been cut in recent months? Planning
the timing of asking for a promotion or pay rise is vital.
Think about how you are asking for an improvement to
your remuneration or role. Why do you want this promotion
and what have you done in the past year to earn it? Have
you performed above and beyond what is expected of
you? If so, then have the facts and figures to back up that
achievement. Knowing your numbers is important.
Have you demonstrated that you're ready to take on new
responsibilities? Then prove it. Gather evidence of your
achievements and have it in black and white before you ask for a
meeting. When you get the chance, go into detail about how you
are already working at a level above your current position. Make
a list of your accomplishments to use as talking points. Doing a
great job in your position isn't enough - you need to show that
you've gone above and beyond your current responsibilities.
If you do get your promotion or pay rise, then celebrate - and
congratulations in advance! If you don't, it's not the end of the
world. Leave the meeting with an idea of what the next stage will
be. If it's not the right time, establish when to reconnect with the
idea. If you've been turned down because you don't have the right
skillset or qualifications, consider how you can add these tools to
your belt. Nobody ever got fired for asking for a promotion or a pay
rise, trust me. But if you don't ask, you're only holding yourself back.

How important is it to build a network?
As you progress in your career, you'll come to understand that at
every stage it has been as much about who you know as what you
know. It's through these connections that we grow our networking
profile. Networking isn't just exchanging information with other
people; it's about building new relationships with people who
share your ideas or values, and nurturing those connections.
Keeping in touch with the business world that orbits your
own company can be vital in understanding how to grow. Don't
simply see networking as a chance to talk to other companies;
it's as much about getting to know the company you're already
at and your role within that team. Whenever you network with
people at your own company, you'll understand the company
structure better, enabling you to forge a career path down the line.
By placing yourself in the business world of networking, you'll
further develop relationships with people in similar positions,

Starting a family is one of the most
important things we can ever do, and
I can tell you from experience that it's
also one of the toughest. Baby-proofing
your career is about preserving the
career path you've already made and
making sure you stay on the right track.
Your employer may well be worrying
about the workload you'll leave behind,
as well as their business; after all,
that's their baby. But you should try to
settle their nerves by reiterating your
desire to be an active part of the team.
Your passion about the role you play in
the business developing is crucial.
Some companies have set maternity
policies, while others provide flexible
periods after having a baby. Make sure
you know what maternity leave will
look like from your employer's point of
view before you take it, but be prepared
to have a discussion with your manager
to alter it if you feel you need to.
One thing to be aware of is the invisible
stigma that some companies have towards
new mothers. It can feel as if you've lost
control over your part of the business,
especially if you miss out on key decisions.
Make sure you retain your confidence
and professional dedication. This isn't
always easy, but it is important. Use your
keep-in-touch days to maintain a strong
connection with colleagues, make sure you

" As you progress in
your career, you'll
come to understand
that at every stage
it has been as much
about who you know
as what you know "

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04/12/2020 17:04
Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21
