If you have been out of the system for a while, you might feel nervous about returning to work, even to a part-time job. You have probably read articles about how to address gaps in your CV, as well as articles that have told you these gaps will be looked at with suspicion.

The truth is that a lot of people are in the same position, and recruiters are well used to getting CVs with gaps in them.

In fact, we think that after a certain point in a person’s career, a CV without any work gaps is much more unusual!

What types of part-time jobs are there in finance & banking?

Many financial institutions will offer job shares and part-time roles. We have recruited for part-time positions in accounting, HR,  technology, marketing, communications, research, PA, and front-of-house support.

We haven’t seen as many roles in revenue-generating areas including M&A, trading and sales, but so much of the working world has changed in the last couple of years, and so this may not remain the case.

Don’t feel guilty about having taken time out

For us, the majority of our “returner” candidates make the same mistake: They talk about their work break as if it were a blot on their CV. Your confidence can take a hit, but we have helped many candidates who have taken gaps in their career, and not only because of childcare. Other work gaps have included leave to care for family members, a desire to travel the world, or just trying something different.

All of these experiences are likely to have made you a better-rounded person. The key to expressing this lies in the way you pitch yourself.

Find ways to connect your work break to your career

Explore what you learned during your time away from employment. Then think about how you can make this relevant to your industry.

Let’s say you’re a keen kayaker, and you’ve spent the last two months kayaking in the US. Did you travel with other people? That likely taught you how to collaborate. Did you have to map out your route? That might have strengthened your skills in planning and organisation.

Identify what you want after a work break

One of the biggest causes of unhappiness in the professional workplace is when candidates apply to jobs without first understanding what they want. We’ve found a reliable methodology in the GROW model.

We’ve already written a series of in-depth articles on GROW. Below is the short version, with links to each deep-dive article under each bullet point:

• Goal: What are you setting out to achieve, both personally and professionally? Write a list to work out your priorities in life.
• Reality: What is the current state of play, and how far do you feel this is from your list of goals in the first step?
• Obstacles: What is in the way of these goals? Do you have weaknesses that need addressing?
• Will: Do you have the will to make all of the above happen? What can you do to increase your motivation?

These four steps will lead you to feel much more confident about what you want out of your return to work and help ensure you stay happy in your decision.

(but be realistic about what you can do)

Even though there are several opportunities for those returning to finance & banking after a break from work, be aware that these roles usually require previous experience in the sector.

Improve your computing and digital skills for part-time work

First, dedicate time to your current skills. What are people doing differently? What tools are now available to help you?

Once you have researched and sharpened those, we believe the best course of action is to update your IT skills, especially if you’re returning after a long work break. The finance & banking sector is reliant on two things: Digital systems, and people who know how to use them.

Be aware that part-time work might not always have clear boundaries

It is rarely the case that a part-time job will mean exactly half the work. Part-time jobs often demand a balancing act from both employee and employer. Think about what you are offering, and where you can be flexible.

Be realistic about how much flexibility you are willing to give. If you find yourself being pressured by the company to do more than you can offer, ask them for time to review the request, and send them in writing an outline that you are confident you can manage.

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Whether you’re still stuck at the CV stage or you are unsure if you’re the right fit for one of our listed jobs, give us a call or send us an email. We are a boutique finance & banking recruiter in the heart of London City, and we spend lots of time listening and reflecting on the impressions that our candidates give recruiters. Send us a note, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!