and then start reaching out to people in those organisations. “We do a lot of our research
online, but you also need to talk to as many people as you can. LinkedIn is very helpful here. Get in touch saying you find their organisation really interesting, explain what you are doing, and suggest a virtual coffee. Nine out of ten people say yes and are extremely generous with their knowledge.”
last year than ever before, according to NatWest’s recent Rose Review, despite a challenging economic environment. The report found women in the UK launched over 15,000 new
companies in 2022 – more than twice as many as in 2018 and estimates £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men. “Post Covid, the idea of
entrepreneurship has become very powerful for women” says Doering, but she cautions it is not for everybody and it is vital to do the groundwork. “To succeed, you need to be determined, exceedingly resilient and prepared to work harder than you ever have. It is a mindset.” Doering also cautions the importance of facing your own weaknesses. “If figures are not your forte, for example, you need to ask yourself how you can counter this. “The biggest mistake people make setting up on their own is thinking they can do it all alone.” Doering suggests proceeding
with baby steps and taking it slowly and keeping some sort of safety net while you get started and her book provides a useful checklist to work out if entrepreneurship is the right move. “It is a very particular type of person who wants to be out there alone.”
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4. BOOST YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE One of the biggest obstacles to making a career change for women is a lack of self-confidence. “It comes up all the time,” says Doering. In her coaching sessions she asks her clients to provide a list of their achievements, both professional and personal. “Really think about the times you did something well – it could be something small or simple like winning a swimming award at school, or organising a school fete. Time and time again women tell me they don’t have any achievements, but we dig and dig until they are uncovered. It can be very empowering.”
5. CREATE A MAP OF OPPORTUNITIES Once women have decided to make a career transition it can be hard to work out where to start. Doering suggests drawing up a systematic map of opportunities, which is part brainstorming with yourself and part detailed research. She suggests creating a list of items including: your ideal role; the area of industry (for example healthcare, finance, education etc); the size of the organisation (small or large) and the location. Next, create a list of the organisations operating in your wish-list field. The idea, she says, is to narrow it down through filters and funnels
6. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR SUPPORT Doering has learnt from her coaching practice that women seek support more than men because they realise they can’t do everything on their own. Doering believes it is impossible to transition without a support network that can fulfil a variety of roles and could include colleagues, peer groups, uni alumni, family and friends and other contacts. “These people can play various roles from opening doors to providing information, creating leads and mentoring,” says Doering. “You are not necessarily asking anyone for a job, but gathering information.” Doering is also a fan of more
formal mentors, which could be somebody in the same organisation, or in a related industry, or it could be through a career network such as the British Association of Female Entrepreneurs or Women in Tech.
7. BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR Psychometric tests can evaluate your personality, but Doering suggests we can usually work it out for ourselves. The golden rules are to manage your own emotions, really listen to colleagues and show interest in them, demonstrate respect for their knowledge and expertise, and always credit them for work they have done.
8. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF Being yourself and believing in who you are is essential in any career journey. Doering suggests writing a list of every key achievement in your life and noting the personality attributes that helped you get there, such as tenacity, determination, resilience etc. Refer back to them regularly and take time to honour your achievements. “Embrace who you are,” says Doering. “Remember your personality, talents and world view have much to offer the world.”
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