Returning to work after a career break is an exciting, yet daunting experience.
Women are more likely to take long-term career breaks than men (24% of women have cumulatively taken at least five years out of work by age 55, compared to just 3% of men), and this our confidence levels pay the price. It doesn’t help that talented women are less likely to apply for job roles than men when they feel under qualified. This is particularly the case for more advanced, higher paying positions. These, and many other factors, often make it difficult for women to return to work, and even harder to land roles that reflect their expertise, skillset, and salary expectations
At Wise & Zeal, we want this to change.
That’s why we’ve launched WZ Returnerz – a peer to peer coaching programme designed to support women returning to the workplace after a career break. We are committing to helping talented women step back into their careers with clarity and support and I know first hand how powerful it can be to learn with and from a group of fabulous, like minded women.
About the programme
WZ Returnerz is a programme for women looking to re-enter the corporate world after a career break of at least two years. Whether you want to rebuild your confidence, refresh your skills, or connect with a network of like-minded women, WZ Returnerz will keep you accountable to your goals and help you prepare for your next professional adventure.
The pilot programme is structured as follows:
- Participants join a peer-to-peer coaching group
- Sessions are hosted virtually, for two hours every month over an eight month period
- Each session focuses on topics such as negotiation skills, leadership, and problem solving
- Participants take away an action plan and feedback to their group at the next session
The programme will be led by me, a go‑to‑market leader and associate at Wise & Zeal. I have thirty years’ experience building and mentoring large teams, and supporting peers with their career development. I’ve been fortunate to benefit from both peer group and individual coaching and know how beneficial they are for knowledge transfer and boosting confidence in a safe environment.
Why now?
The corporate workplace is evolving quickly. New tools and technologies are being integrated into workflows, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how teams operate, and even the job application process is more complicated than ever. If you started your career break before 2020, you may have little experience of remote or hybrid working. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
We can help you overcome these barriers and give you the greatest chance of success – whether that’s helping you to position yourself for your dream role, coaching you through different scenarios, or getting peer feedback on a recent challenge or setback.
If you’d like to learn more or want to be considered for the next cohort, kicking off in January 2026, please contact Naomi on LinkedIn or fill out our website form. You will receive a short questionnaire to complete, and then Naomi will get in touch.