Take the plunge

When you’ve only known one business, one train journey and one career for over a decade the outside world can look scarier than ever. The prospect of not returning to my job after a year off on maternity left me feeling nervous and, to be honest, quite unprepared for what other business cultures would be like. Surely everywhere had an average head count of 3,000 and a canteen bigger than a house?

Somehow in that last year though, I had changed more than I would ever have imagined – and so had my confidence around my feelings about work. Always obsessing over that next promotion was absent from my thoughts for once, and I realised that what I’d accomplished in my maternity year was by far the biggest achievement of my life.

I loved my job, the people, the dramas, the buzz of the latest trends and my morning coffee stop. It was a huge part of my identity, but as the end of my wonderful first year of motherhood drew near I felt the need for a new career direction that would enable me to better utilise my interpersonal skills.

Recruitment had always been of interest to me. The prospect of speaking about what I knew best and achieving a target was exciting and appealing. With Success Appointments having placed me in my first post-graduate role I called them for advice. Three months and one 180-degree career turn later, I’m running one of the fastest-paced and most dynamic Digital Marketing desks in the fashion/retail industry.

My experience in fashion buying has enabled me to further develop client relationships and assist candidates in preparing for their interviews. Having a baby and a new job has been a big challenge, but I couldn’t be happier with my career change and being able to maximise my favourite skill: talking to people all day long.

So take the plunge and enhance your career to suit your skills. Be brave and confident about who you are and you’re sure to see great results!