If you ever worry that being pregnant or having young children might be a barrier to your career progression, you’re not alone.
That’s how Kate Brooks used to feel too, so much so that she even delayed telling her team she was pregnant in case they thought she had “let them down.”
“I used to worry that I wouldn’t be as good at my job, given I’d need to balance mum and work commitments. Of course, no one else thought of this, and I was met with nothing but congratulations and genuine well wishes!”
Going back to your existing role after parental leave is one thing, but what about applying for a brand-new position in a new company?
Making the leap
When Kate saw a job advert for a Senior Risk and Assurance Manager at Edinburgh Airport, she thought she’d apply even though she was currently on parental leave with her nine-month-old baby.
“I was worried about telling them I was still on parental leave, but it seemed like having young children was almost a moot point. I was also encouraged by the number of women with young families at the senior management level. Sometimes, I feel that perceived barriers are only perceived by me and not other people!”
Kate shares how she ensured her new role would work for her family and employer and how her career has taken flight ever since.
1. Stay open to opportunities
Even if you’re happy in your current role or think now’s not the time to change jobs, leaving yourself open to new opportunities means your dream role might be right around the corner.
Whether signing up for job alerts, speaking to colleagues, or reaching out to your wider network, don’t close yourself off to your career progression.
“I wasn’t looking for a change at the time and was really happy in my role. The first time I saw the job advert, I was three months into my maternity leave and wasn’t in a position to apply. However, the job re-appeared at nine months, and I thought, why not? So I applied to find out more about the role!”
2. Be honest and upfront
Kate feels the transition into her new role at Edinburgh Airport has been such a success because she was candid about her circumstances from the outset.
“Given I was on maternity leave, I was open about my personal life and disclosed early on that I had two young children. Previously, I would have probably held back this information, fearing it could put an employer off me. However, I was met with complete understanding.”
Kate was actively encouraged to “put all concerns on the table” so they could work together to find the best way to support her.
“One specific point I raised was the high likelihood that my youngest child would start nursery and be met with many nursery bugs during my first few months in the role. I was very concerned that I would need to take time off work to look after him, which would, in turn, create a bad impression on me and my commitment to the role.”
Kate was pleasantly surprised to find that her manager and the wider team fully supported her priorities for her family.
“The hiring manager was really understanding and eased any concerns I had, letting me know that I would not be judged for having childcare commitments outside of my control.”
Edinburgh Airport offers various flexible and remote working options to suit each employee’s unique circumstances.
3. Ask for what you need
Kate was also encouraged to consider if there were other ways the company could help her flourish in her role.
“I still had reservations about how it could affect family life – particularly the commute from Glasgow (where I live) to Edinburgh. It was made clear to me that flexible working was really bought into at the airport and that I could make my own decisions about how often I needed to travel, depending on what was required.”
In addition to work-from-home options, Kate also discussed other potential working arrangements to determine whether alternatives might be more suitable.
“I was offered condensed hours, and although I’d never really considered condensed hours before, the more I thought about it, the more I thought it would be right. They can be long days – if I’m in the office, I leave home early and stay longer at work to avoid the peak traffic. But it’s all worth it to get time at the end of the week to spend with my kids! I’m pleased with this arrangement, but the hiring manager also clarified that if condensed hours were not working for me, we could re-visit part-time work and work out a plan.”
4. Embrace flexibility
As any working parent knows, balancing work and caring for your family is never easy. No week is the same, and you can’t always plan, but Kate has learned that staying flexible is the key to ensuring everyone’s needs—including her own—are met.
“I need to be flexible and adapt to the various priorities on a given week. Some weeks, I don’t get the balance right—sometimes, my kids need me more, and I need to recalibrate. Having an employer who understands and supports this is amazing.”
At Edinburgh Airport, providing the right environment for all its employees to do their best work means treating everyone as an individual and showing them their trust. In return, Kate says staff are loyal and willing to go the extra mile if needed.
“The flexibility Edinburgh Airport provides allows me to work to the best of my abilities, deliver on my commitments, and add value. Their focus is on outputs rather than time input, which was apparent early on. It doesn’t matter how or where you work as long as you deliver on your objectives and commitments. Edinburgh Airport affords me a lot of flexibility, and I am happy to be flexible in return.”
5. Keep the conversation open
Of course, circumstances change, and sometimes, our work needs may need to be adapted, too. Kate encourages keeping an active dialogue with management and reaching out if you need support.
“My advice would be to be open and transparent about your personal and family life with your employer – you might be surprised with the support you receive! Your employer is also more likely to respect any boundaries you set when you are clear about what you need.”
Kate has never had any doubts about accepting the role at Edinburgh Airport – and a considerable part of her continued confidence in the role has been the ongoing support from everyone around her.
“For me, it was knowing I could talk about any struggles I might be facing and that I would be met with understanding. I feel very comfortable being honest about anything I find challenging – both in and out of work. Just knowing that concerns can be discussed allows me to feel supported, even when there isn’t a specific problem.”
6. Don’t stop challenging yourself
One final piece of advice Kate has is to keep stretching yourself. As a new parent, it can be tempting to coast along in your current role. Whether this is due to a fear of failure, not feeling like you have the support you need, or concerns about balancing a new challenge with family life. But Kate knows that her team at Edinburgh Airport will always have her back.
“I love turning my hand to something new, but since becoming a parent, I feel less confident in going for the ‘next big challenge’ in case it all becomes too much. However, I have a supportive manager who understands my potential and provides encouragement to take on new challenges.”
Since starting her family, Kate’s priorities have understandably shifted – where, once, career progression was the main indicator of an excellent workplace to grow with, she now knows the culture is just as important.
“Edinburgh Airport provides plenty of learning and growth opportunities, but it’s also somewhere you can feel supported and welcome to be yourself whether you are performing at your best or when life gets in the way. I definitely felt that early on and still do.”
Remember: parenthood is a strength, not a barrier.
Finally, Kate also encourages parents not to undersell themselves! Parenting is tough, requiring many transferable skills that any employer would be lucky to have on its staff.
“Having kids is a super strength! I know that my stamina and determination have increased since becoming a parent, and I also feel a lot more resilient. These character traits are things many employers look for, and parents should be celebrated for having these in abundance!”
