The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way we all live and work, but for women, the effects are especially pronounced. Not only have women lost their jobs at higher rates than men, but women have taken on the bulk of homeschooling, childcare, and domestic duties during the pandemic.
This has left many newly-unemployed women wondering when, if ever, they’ll be able to return to work. Meanwhile, women still on the job are contending with burnout as they juggle additional domestic labor on top of a 40-hour workweek.
Is there any way for women to hold onto the progress they’ve made at work, or is a downshift in women’s careers an inevitable outcome of the pandemic? Here’s what women can do to keep their careers moving forward despite the hurdles in their way.
If You’re Unemployed
Out of work? Whether laid off or leaving the workplace by choice, unemployment is a major career setback. Here’s how women can remain competitive while away from the workforce.
Use this time to boost your skills.
The pandemic is likely to cause a surge in women returning to school, as online universities and open online courses offer greater flexibility while keeping the door open for professional advancement. However, it’s not enough to earn any degree. Women returning to college during the pandemic should seek out growing careers in the post-pandemic economy to ensure a return on their investment. These include fields like engineering, software development, and healthcare.
College is costly at a time when many families are suffering financially, but aid is available to help women who want to further their education. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives qualified adult students access to loans, grants, and work-study aid.
Keep your resume current.
The most important thing unemployed women can do is not let their resumes lapse. This is difficult at a time when many jobs simply aren’t feasible for women and the most flexible jobs face stiff competition. Women who are struggling to find traditional employment or who can’t fit a job into their busy schedule can accomplish this by freelancing. Freelancing gives women complete control over when and how much they work while allowing them to retain a high rate of pay in their field of choice. Freelancing is also highly compatible with remote work, with online platforms making it possible to find work and get paid entirely online. Another great option for finding a new role is the Mom Project, which is designed to connect women with job opportunities at companies that are well-renowned for encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
If you do have unexplained lapses in your resume, you can also give your resume a boost by consulting with an experienced professional. You can find affordable freelance resume-writing consultants through online job boards.
If You’re Still Working
Working women are pulling double duty during the pandemic, leading to increased rates of burnout and unhappy bosses. However, meeting caregiver demands doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of professional success. These are the key strategies for performing well at work and at home.
Advocate for workplace flexibility.
Making it work during the pandemic calls for flexibility and lots of it. But while the majority of employers have embraced remote work, many remain reluctant to offer other types of flexible work arrangements. However, the ability to flex hours, compress the workweek, job share, or work reduced hours for reduced pay offers big benefits to working mothers who can use the increased flexibility to better manage caregiving and work.
When making the case for flexibility at work, it’s important to emphasize how it will increase women’s performance at work, not just reduce stress at home. This means breaking down daily responsibilities and explaining how they can be performed satisfactorily on a modified schedule. Assuring employers of availability for important meetings and calls also increases their willingness to participate.
Be a proactive communicator.
When employees are out-of-sight, out-of-mind, employers are prone to question what they’re really getting done at home. Women working remotely should be intentional about staying top-of-mind among company leadership. Proactive communication offers reassurance that remote workers are staying productive and keeps work-from-home women visible so they have a fighting chance for promotions.
Quality of communication is more important than quantity. Short, simple, and well-timed updates go over better than lengthy or constant communication. It’s also important to maintain a professional appearance during video calls and avoid multitasking parenting duties while on camera.
The future is bright.
A lot has changed over the last several months that indicate there is great hope for working women. For one thing, there has been a huge push for companies to embrace diversity and be more inclusive, and movements like Time’s Up have called for equal pay and more supportive work environments for women. Furthermore, because of the pandemic, many companies have embraced flexible schedules and work-from-home opportunities that benefit working moms, and many of these roles will likely stay in place after COVID-19 has passed. There’s still a lot of progress to be made, but there is a lot of hope on the horizon for working women from all walks of life.
Maintaining professional relevance during the pandemic is no easy task for women who find themselves facing higher workloads than ever. But while it may be challenging, it’s also worthwhile. Making career a priority during the pandemic ensures that women maintain their well-earned position in the workplace long after this crisis ends.
Are you worried about financial challenges in your life? Whatever your financial goals, Kirk G. Meyer can help you put a plan in place! Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!