Articles - Reflect

Showing posts with label Reflect. Show all posts

Synopsis: Personal reasons or inbuilt pressure of giving their best to every role often compel Indian women to take a career break. Here is why and how they can resume and recoup their career.

Gunjan Bharadwaj | 16th September 2021

When I decided to take a break from work to have a baby, I vowed to be back soon. Unaware, of the fact that motherhood is not a 2-3 years task, instead, it is quite overwhelming, demands 24*7*365 days of engagement. Although I had every intention to get back to work, it got postponed, then delayed, with every other milestone of the little one.

Being unemployed, then justifying such gaps to yourself, and getting back to work, is a very tricky part emotionally. It needs rigorous brainstorming, believe me on this! Being a woman and a mother is not the same thing.

So let's peep into this thinking cloud, once again with me, to find the answers of basic but foremost WHYs, IFs, BUTs, that come to our mind while making any such decisions.

Why Do We Want to Work?

Isn't this tune running through your head all day, the moment you think of recouping after good long years? Why I want to work, if at all I want to resume, is it worth, leave it there is nothing more important to me than my child, money is not everything, I shall invest my time in my kid and shape a better character for his/her future. These thoughts have kept me occupied for years. Always after every interview call, I felt the same. This agitation of being independent and raising a child in a monitored environment has left me with depression of wanting something else and ending up in doing something other than ordinary.

The reason why a woman should be independent is for her stability and satisfaction. There is no space for sulking or inferiority complex, instead, profound adequacy can be attained in monitory terms as well. Economic necessity is no longer the incentive unless it is really dire.

How to Resume Work After a Gap?

Boost up your Skills

Now when you have decided to resume then next comes the step of preparation. Here, "next" is about being prepared for the "next level". Evaluate your skillset and cope with the latest market trend. One must keep himself updated with what is going on where. Remember, research is your responsibility. So spend some time analyzing how market trends have changed, what are the most in-demand skills in your targeted field or industry and how technologies have evolved in the last few years. This research will improve your credibility as a job candidate and help you stand out from the crowd. Only then resuming could be made easier and smooth. Prepare yourself to justify that the taken break was not a break literally.

Good Resume

If you have a good resume, shortlisting is a sure thing. Your selection is 80% resume and rest 20% is your performance in interviewing rounds. Be selective while quoting your skills, review and customize it as per the job role. It is important to understand what the employer wants and how fit are you for the role. This will reduce the chances of being underprepared.

Balance Is Important, Change is constant!

Keep it in mind that you require to make some changes in your daily schedule and reassess the priority on your to-do list, there is no need of killing oneself in trying to manage work and home.

How to Find a Job?

Now comes in how to find a job? Do some research online and find out what employers are looking for in the candidate. You can use job posting websites such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed and read the job description of your targeted role. You can also check the job websites of your dream companies.

Justify Your Gap!

Be prepared to justify your gap, as an employer they will seek honesty. You could tailor your answers to demonstrate how your break will benefit the role you are now applying for. Think critically about some of the concerns an interviewer may have. They may wonder whether you’re ready to get back on the career ladder, assure them with your satisfactory confident answers.

Don’t Sit Idle: Explore Alternative Career Options

In today's ever-evolving digital world, the traditional 9-to-5 job is no longer the only path to success. With the rise of social media platforms and content-driven careers, there are more opportunities than ever to explore alternative career options that align with your interests and skills. Instead of sitting idle, why not consider becoming a YouTube content creator, Instagram influencer, blogger, social media expert, or content writer? Here's why these careers might be the perfect fit for you.

1. YouTube Content Creator

The world of YouTube is vast and diverse, offering a platform where creativity knows no bounds. Whether you're into gaming, cooking, DIY, education, or vlogs, there’s a niche for everyone. As a YouTube content creator, you can build a loyal audience, monetize your videos through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise, and turn your passion into a profitable career.

2. Instagram Influencer

Instagram continues to be a leading platform for influencers, with millions of brands looking for individuals who can authentically promote their products. If you love creating visually stunning content and connecting with a community, becoming an Instagram influencer could be a great career alternative. With the right strategy, influencers can generate income through sponsored posts, collaborations, and affiliate marketing.

3. Blogger

Blogging remains a powerful way to share your thoughts, experiences, and expertise with a global audience. Whether you want to write about travel, lifestyle, technology, or fashion, blogging allows you to dive deep into topics you're passionate about. Monetization can come from affiliate links, sponsored content, or advertising, making it a lucrative career option for those who love writing.

4. Social Media Expert

As businesses increasingly rely on digital marketing, the demand for social media experts is higher than ever. If you're adept at navigating different platforms, creating engaging content, and analyzing performance, you can help brands grow their online presence. Whether working as a freelancer or with a company, being a social media expert offers flexibility and a rewarding career path.

5. Content Writer

Content writing is crucial for businesses looking to maintain a strong online presence. If you have a flair for writing and can craft compelling stories, articles, or web content, content writing could be your gateway to a successful career. With the rise of blogs, websites, and social media, the need for skilled content writers continues to grow.

Hope for the best sounds cliché, but manifestations do work. You may have cold feet after thinking about burdensome responsibility of managing home, children and work, Yes it could be difficult in the initial phase but then you will get used to it sooner.

Self-reliance is one of the most important attributes of personal freedom. This blog may inspire you, speak to you, or urge you to strive harder and to be free from any external control or constraint.
Believe in yourself, you have all the answers inside you.
The more you trust yourself, the easier your life will flow.

Going On A Journey Within!

Gunjan Bharadwaj | 21st June 2021

"Be yourself; everyone else is taken." - Oscar Wilde

This line has triggered various thoughts in - cluttered with ample of thoughts and negated mind many a time.

We are all unique individuals. We all have special qualities, talents and gifts that only we possess which make us wonderful and fascinating people. But have you ever met this side of yours?

For me the answer is Darn Yes!

The Threshold

It was 2012 when I was going through a really hard time in my life both personally and professionally, I felt suffocated and choked in the situation where I was stuck. I packed my bag and headed to Bus Depot, decided to board the bus whichever is the first, and it was for Shimla. The air in Shimla calmed me down and made me experience something I had never felt before. I started feeling light as if I have shed all the burdens. I had a consistent body pain from earlier which seemed to disappear in that moment. I soaked in the salubrious mountain air. It was at this moment I realised, how vulnerable I was! I cried for hours, was so overwhelmed with emotions and then felt free.
Sometimes a long road trip or a secluded retreat away from home is that missing key that finally unlocks the new quest we have been hoping for. That quest was for "listening to myself" undoubtedly! Some people travel to explore the unknown while others travel to reconnect with themselves, something they have lost in the hustle-bustle of their robotic existence.
Cruising on the road, enjoying the scenic beauty, bonding with different kind of people, knowing various cultures does evoke positivity.
It gives you a better sense of decision-making and allows you to empathize more.
Travel experiences can not be described in mere words, unexplainable and for me, it is absolutely divine. I unplug myself whenever I can, to feed my soul and to connect to something which is larger than life.

The Enlightened New Age Wanderer

Nowadays travel has placed itself in a new place where everybody is categorized in some or the other travel mood. There are people who travel solo and there are the ones who go with random people in a group.
The motive behind this is to hang loosely from their hectic life and give themselves a well-deserved quality time.

Travel allows us to spend some time that is meant to be spent on ourselves by avoiding the unnecessary mess of conflicting thoughts wherein we are judging ourselves for no reason.

Travel not only allows us to explore more but also makes us question and discover the very oneself which has been lost in this pretentious world. Traveling in own kind is equally important, it mold you in many certain ways. When we travel for experiencing new cultures or globetrotting to other countries, it surely broadens the perspective. There are people who travel for spiritual awakening or happiness. So to travel is very much of your choice, you may travel for leisure or to seek knowledge. But in the end, you will not feel the same that you do in general. I do overpack memories from my small trips even, which is why I am always nostalgic with hunger pangs for more.

Realisation

What happen when you travel? Why in movies dialogues reiterates that live in the moment...?

As we incorporate what we learn into what we know, our minds start expanding, enabling us to understand everyone's perspective. When understanding got built up we start empathizing and thus we become more compassionate. This interconnectedness with all that is around, give birth to self - realization which is our innate purpose for life.

Travel helps foster our foundational teachings because we are on the move, going from one place to another to the next; nothing is permanent. It offers to teach us to "Live Lightly" and relish experiences and relationships.

Naturally, the fact can't be denied that money gives us happiness, but have you ever questioned yourself that what makes you deeply, soulfully, and genuinely happy? To answer this, we need to get out of our comfort zones and become aware of more than just our typical daily routines. Is it enough to Just reach a destination? The answer is NO! As the series of actions while travelling, carries an inherent ability to change the level of our joy.

Travel Within

Whenever I travel I feel like my best self, split free, flowing with the bliss of love. I question my sufferings and ask myself, I start from communication to persuasion and then finally expressing myself. I accept myself exactly as I am. This is the sense of gratitude that I attain by traveling.
It allows me to live in the moment, seize the day and learn from experience and move on to the next.
I travel for the sake of myself and my peace within.
You choose your reasons, but remember to live lightly and relish the experiences.

Nothing could be better than this to end this blog on Journey within..

Hawa ke jhokon ke jaise aazad rehna seekho, tum ek dariya ke jaise lehron mein behna seekho... Har ek lamhe se tum milo khole apni baahen, har ek pal ek naya sama dekhe yeh nigaahen.

A Pause - for Unlocking Lockdown Thought.

How to restore normality? That too when the world has already come to a standstill!

I mean I have known people who have lived through the war, even then when they had nothing, they could still go out and breathe the air. Now we are scared to go out and touch people. This is something I never ever have expected to see in life.

Well nobody does!

Once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. Not even sure when this is going to be over or whether it will? But one thing is certain. When you come out of this storm, you won't be the same person who walked in.

Being virtual is the new normal. Or I may say is the new commonplace and allows you to meet, play and have fun with your folks. As the World in quarantine looked around new ways to socialize, after all humans are social animals. What will normal life be like once this Lockdown gets unlock..will we hug our friends again? Will we plan trips more often? Will the habits of self hygiene, be a part of post lockdown life? How will we treat those who commit the crime of coughing and sneezing in public spaces? Though I can see the frustration with other people not following norms of social distancing already. Perhaps we should be prepared for at least an initial period of paranoia.

Being a nomad, can't see this world the way it was, but, as a matter of fact Corona has done more good than harm. It has carved out a niche for travelers and their way of traveling. HOW?

Unleashing

We are stuck at home, fantasizing about the joys and freedoms of traveling and reflecting on the privileges we once took for granted. Weeks ticked by, we all have found some or the other ways to be content at one place for a long time. Keeping the nomadic spirit alive and thinking of the excursions that were once staples in the traveling docket. So post lockdown it may be like you will stay longer at one destination and less of hopping here and there. It will be more like stay-cation over a vacation, kind of newfound ability to discover and appreciate smaller details and characteristics of a place we may otherwise have driven past on our way to the next stop. Travel has a different place in my heart, I always wonder how people tick mark the "must sees" and start flocking to renowned sites and popular spots without soaking in the beauty of one particular place and one at a time.

How not to Fast Pace

Lockdown has taught us, what it feels to slow down, to take each day as it comes, and to suddenly embrace the refinement.

After acclimatising to our living room and sofa and less varied schedules, we are unlikely to pack our lives and go for an unplanned spontaneous far of vacations, that we once saw as the adrenaline rush and aj kuch toofani karte hain types..

We may wish to travel much close to our city, like a road trip, folded in our cars, and restraining the window panes to not to let that virus come inside our sanitised zone! This approach is not going to be casual, instead it would be more inquiry-driven and will shun the spontaneity for sure. This may result in us planning less trips, putting more meaning into each one. We might think longer and harder about where we’re going, and why. We might learn to value experiences above all else.

Love For Nature

Having our freedoms restricted, our time outside controlled and our reserves of fresh air severely depleted, has triggered a whole new appreciation of nature in us. Perhaps now our travel will become more nature focused and enjoying the natural beauty, enchanting woodland glades, river walks, waves gushing over one another, that sound of silence in the air that can fill one's heart with all the good.

Treasuring Travel More

Capering to an entirely different culture in a matter of hours really is something very special. The ability to travel is, undeniably, a privilege. Many of us have its consistent presence in our lives and incorporated that steady countdown to the next trip into our daily schedules. Be it planning a trip, or dealing with the blues of a trip just got over, being able to travel and to do something we love - truly is a gift. Maybe now we’ll start to value each and every trip, as something we are lucky to have, rather than something we deserve.

READ MORE: WHERE TO GO AFTER LOCKDOWN

Planet Safety

Not sure about this. This is more of an individual perspective to see good, in what Corona did to Earth. Our rampant human consumption has otherwise abandoned other species. Nature has its own healing mechanism and this was a Ctrl Z indeed.

So may be now travelers can opt for more sustainable options and let the planet breathe.

Physically Distant and Socially close.

Lockdown has perforce brought families into closer contact. This togetherness is likely to continue even when restrictions are uplifted. This phase has made people realise that they can lose their loved ones without cherishing those bonds they share with each other. Fear of getting eloped has made them more intact relationship-wise.. Never has it become more necessary to do this- to give your family time.

ALSO READ: HOW TO SPEND QUALITY TIME

If there's one thing we are good at, it's adapting—and we've all found ways to do so, whether that means pivoting special moments, or making a destination out of our balcony.
We've found ways to create goodness. We all are in this together!

#SaturdayThoughts

Before lockdown am sure, many might have wished - every day should be a Saturday. Unfortunately or fortunately, this whole lockdown thing has approved many pending requests of life being a weekend. Earlier the thought of Saturdays and Sundays, keep us going during the work-week, they inspire us to have positive thoughts and do good things.

We used to compile a comprehensive list of what to do on a Saturday night or plan of action for weekends no matter what mood we were in. Whether you want to hibernate or hit the dance floor or some pending treats, yoga or recreational plans, so on n so forth, totally depends on your mood and options available. Ahh...feeling Nostalgic!!

Nostalgic!

The situation of pressures and challenges caused by the ongoing crisis may leave many of us fog headed. It has not just impacted the physical health of millions but also wreaked the mental well-being of people around the world. Anxiety, helplessness and grief are rising due to feeling of uncertain future — and nearly nobody is untouched by loss.

But an act of good is involved too. Keeping the spirits up ..yes! It's true! Ok, so we cannot control of what's happening. We are unwillingly stuck indoors for some time, and there's nothing we can alter in it. Our lives have changed dramatically, but what we can control is ourselves and the way we adapt.

Once we're here in this situation we are unknowingly adding three elements, " cope, recover and learn". We have found a slower, minimalistic approach towards life, and this has made us realise what is not important. A whole new perspective is added, to flavor this lifestyle.

"Let us not waste this reevaluation of everything, to start afresh. Try DIYs, change your old conventional balcony into funky colourful one with the resources you already have, or try board games differently like a descending order snake n ladder or give a try to new self-made delicacies just-#SaturdayThoughts. In past decades there was a simple life, yet, the best and The second best time is now."

Saturday Thoughts

Avoid gathering much of the unhelpful information which has over flooded the internet. Its good to be informed and updated but avoid negativity and spams.

“Focus on what is available and the things we can do. Choose to make the most of each day" , with a neverending spirit of fighting. Give it the best shot of yours. The player who goes into a match thinking “I will play the best I can”, however, I believe that they are less hurt by losing, as long as they are doing their best. It’s worth thinking about how we can apply this in our daily life.

“Compassion is a lifetime business." It's vicious!

“It's not that we spend five days looking forward to just two. “I told myself that I was going to live the rest of my life as if it was #Saturday, and will certainly keep doing the same"

Till then you folks LOVE me like SATURDAY NIGHT..and sing the song of hope.

Synopsis: Personal reasons or inbuilt pressure of giving their best to every role often compel Indian women to take a career break. Here is why and how they can resume and recoup their career.

Why Do We Want to Work?

How to Resume Work After a Gap?

Boost up your Skills

Good Resume

Balance Is Important, Change is constant!

How to Find a Job?

Justify Your Gap!

1. YouTube Content Creator

2. Instagram Influencer

3. Blogger

4. Social Media Expert

5. Content Writer

Going On A Journey Within!

The Threshold

The Enlightened New Age Wanderer

Realisation

Travel Within

Hawa ke jhokon ke jaise aazad rehna seekho, tum ek dariya ke jaise lehron mein behna seekho... Har ek lamhe se tum milo khole apni baahen, har ek pal ek naya sama dekhe yeh nigaahen.

HOW TO DRAW NO LINE | GENDER ROLE

A Pause - for Unlocking Lockdown Thought.

Unleashing

How not to Fast Pace

Love For Nature

Treasuring Travel More

Planet Safety

Physically Distant and Socially close.

#SaturdayThoughts

Life As We Know It

ABOUT ME

SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW

Accolades

POPULAR POSTS

Categories

Featured Posts

FaceBook | Twitter

Google Search

From My Instagram

From My Instagram

From My Instagram