Finding a new role can be difficult at the best of times, but perhaps even more so when you’re pregnant or on parental leave.
But with the right company, team, and support, it doesn’t have to be.
Growing into a new role and parenthood simultaneously can be an exciting time of new changes and challenges. When Amy Ray was 38 weeks pregnant with her third child, she was ready to take on a new professional challenge.
“I had reached a crossroads in my career after a fabulous secondment. It made me realize I wanted more for my career, to show my kids to dream big and that anything is achievable.
She discovered and applied for a role with Level Crossings Removal Project (LXRP).
“I literally thought to myself, ‘why not?’. The worst case scenario was that I wouldn’t get shortlisted – but then… I was! When I told the team I was pregnant, they told me it didn’t matter, and they were happy to wait. That blew me away.”
LXRP’s opportunity was in its talent acquisition team, and Amy recognized it was an ideal match for her skill set. While she didn’t have an explicit background in talent acquisition, the company was open to finding someone with transferable skills and supporting them with on-the-job training.
The return to work transition
How did Amy make her return to work transition successful? After spending six months on parental leave (using a mixture of leave from her previous employer, government support, and accrued annual leave), she started her new role working flexibly, three days a week, with one day in the office.
“It was equally terrifying and exciting to begin a completely new role, fresh from parental leave. My team and people throughout the business were incredibly welcoming and friendly.”
After three months, she increased her hours to four days a week, three days each fortnight in the office. Recently, she has started full-time.
“It’s all thanks to the amazing support from my manager and team. I get to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, being in the office a few days of the week to collaborate with colleagues while also being able to work from home.
“We have three children, and I’m their taxi driver, chef, sounding board, and source of support. So, being able to pick them up and be there for them while also being able to do my job in a hybrid environment makes full-time work so much more achievable for a working parent.”
Could LXRP’s flexible work options help you achieve more in your career?
The ‘people’ aspect
Amy’s people skills have made her a great match in talent acquisition. Interestingly, she cultivated these skills in hospitality – where she met her husband, an Executive Chef – before working in the public sector. As she recalls, her favorite part of hospitality work was chatting with guests as they arrived and checking them into their accommodation. She enjoys similar levels of interaction with people at LXRP.
But at LXRP, it has been the company culture and teams that have won her over.
“I got a really warm vibe from my interactions with the recruitment team. Overall, it was a fantastic experience—completely different from other recruitment processes I’ve been through before. It was interactive, fun, casual, and enjoyable.”
And it’s been a consistent experience throughout her tenure in the business.
“After my first week, I told my manager how wonderful everyone in the business is and that it felt like I’ve always been here. I think that speaks volumes about our workplace culture. My favorite parts of day-to-day work are my team, the broader LX team, and the role itself. LXRP has an amazing culture and is super supportive of people who need flexible working arrangements.”
In her current role as Talent Acquisition Adviser, she works with hiring managers to learn about new jobs, create attractive job ads, and complete assessments. She learned quickly, joining a welcoming team that was there to answer all her questions and provide genuine support.
“There is always plenty to learn in the talent acquisition space, so I soaked it all up, given it was all completely new to me. We’re also a small, close-knit team and get along famously. You gain a massive sense of satisfaction finding our preferred candidate and seeing their application through, from initial submission to starting their first day. It’s exciting and rewarding.”
Being a strong role model
Amy is proud to have achieved more in her career and to show her children that anything is possible.
“I really just want to teach them that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it, which is why I’m setting big goals for the future. Eventually, I’d love to progress to a leadership position, in line with my university education, to support and manage my own team. For now, People & Culture is the space I love to be in. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge and experience in human resources.”
LXRP is a place where she can grow and develop with people who recognize her potential.
“I have big career aspirations now that we have our little family. I’ve built wonderful relationships with many colleagues, and going to work is genuinely fun every day. I’m happy to develop my organizational skills professionally and personally – with three children with three unique personalities. They keep us on our toes!”
For others considering changing roles during parental leave, Amy says: go for it.
“All you can do is try and give it your all. For working parents, choosing a supportive company with flexible work options will put you in good stead. I knew I wanted to do something I loved and found that LXRP. While I’ve worked in various industries, it feels like I was always meant to arrive here, and I couldn’t be happier.”
