Explore articles:
Explore practical guides on self-discovery, spotting your strengths, and preparing for interviews with confidence.
Who are you now?
Who Are You Now? The Question That Could Change Everything There's a moment many women recognise. You're standing in the kitchen, or lying awake at 2am, and a quiet, unsettling thought surfaces: I don't really know who I am anymore. It can feel alarming when it first arrives. But here's what I want you to know — that question isn't a sign that something has gone wrong. It's actually the beginning of something important. Life Changes You. That's Not a Flaw. Whether it was a divorce, a bereavement, the last child leaving home, or simply a gradual drifting away from the life you once knew — you have been through something significant. And significant experiences change us. The woman who walked into that marriage, that job, that chapter of life — she isn't quite the same woman standing here today. She has lived more, learned more, lost more. She has depth that wasn't there before. But somewhere along the way, your sense of self got caught up in everything that was happening around you. Your identity became tied to roles — wife, mother, carer, employee — and when those roles shifted, it felt like you shifted too. Or disappeared entirely. You didn't disappear. You just haven't had the space to look properly yet. Why "Who Are You Now?" Matters Before Anything Else So many women come to me wanting to go straight to the practical stuff. Can you help me update my CV? How do I explain my career gap? What jobs should I be applying for? And yes — we absolutely get to all of that. But if we jump to the "how" before we've explored the "who", you risk building your next chapter on a version of yourself that no longer fits. Imagine stepping back into a job that looks great on paper, but leaves you feeling empty because it doesn't reflect who you are now, what energises you, or what genuinely matters to you at this point in your life. That's not a comeback. That's just a different kind of stuck. The question Who are you now? is the foundation everything else gets built on. What Self-Discovery Actually Looks Like I want to demystify this, because "self-discovery" can sound abstract or even a little indulgent. It isn't. In the work we do together, it looks like this: Exploring your values — what matters deeply to you now, not what mattered to you ten years ago Identifying what lights you up — the activities, conversations, and environments where you feel most alive and capable Recognising your strengths — often ones you've developed through the very experiences that felt like setbacks Understanding what you need — in terms of flexibility, purpose, environment, and pace This isn't navel-gazing. It's the most practical thing you can do before stepping back into the job market, because it means every decision you make from here is grounded in you — the real, current, fully-formed you. A Gentle Invitation If you've read this far, something in this has resonated with you. You might not be sure what comes next. You might feel like you've been invisible for a while and you're not entirely sure how to be seen again. That's okay. That's exactly where this work begins. My six-week programme was created for women who are ready to ask this question — and ready to be surprised by the answer. If you'd like to find out more, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message at lucy@lucybowler.co.uk or visit my website to learn more about the programme. You are still here. You are still worthy. And you might be more ready than you think. Lucy Bowler is a Norwich-based career and confidence coach supporting women returning to the workplace after a life change. Her six-week programme helps women rediscover who they are, rebuild their confidence, and take practical steps toward their next professional chapter.
Spot your hidden strengths
How to Spot Your Hidden Strengths There's a quiet confidence that comes from knowing what you're truly good at. Not the skills you've listed on a CV, or the roles you've held — but the deeper, often overlooked qualities that make you you. The strengths that have carried you through life's hardest chapters, often without you even realising it. If you're returning to work after a break — whether that's following a divorce, bereavement, an empty nest, or simply a period of life that knocked you sideways — chances are you've been so focused on what you've lost that you've forgotten what you still have. Let's change that. Why Hidden Strengths Stay Hidden Most women I work with don't struggle because they lack ability. They struggle because they've spent years putting everyone else first — and in doing so, they've quietly stopped taking credit for what they do well. Hidden strengths often go unrecognised because: They feel natural, so they don't seem remarkable They've been used in unpaid or informal roles (parenting, caregiving, volunteering) They were never formally acknowledged or rewarded Low confidence has made them easy to dismiss The truth is, the years you've spent away from formal employment have not left you behind. In many ways, they've made you sharper, more resilient, and more capable than you give yourself credit for. Five Ways to Spot Your Hidden Strengths 1. Notice What Comes Easily to You We tend to undervalue the things that feel effortless. If organising people comes naturally to you, if you're always the one who spots the problem before it becomes a crisis, or if others constantly seek your advice — pay attention. Ease is not the same as insignificance. It often points directly to your greatest strengths. Ask yourself: What do I do that others find difficult or seem to struggle with? 2. Look at What You've Navigated Think about the hardest things you've been through. How did you cope? What did you draw on? Women who have managed grief, major life transitions, or family upheaval have developed extraordinary capabilities — emotional intelligence, adaptability, crisis management, and the ability to hold steady when everything feels uncertain. These are not soft skills. They are highly valued in the workplace. Ask yourself: What did I have to become in order to get through that? 3. Listen to What Others Thank You For Other people often see our strengths more clearly than we do ourselves. Think back over the last few years — not just professionally, but personally. What have people thanked you for? What have they relied on you to do? What do they say when they describe you to others? The words people use to appreciate you are rarely accidental. They tend to reflect something genuine. Ask yourself: What do people consistently come to me for? 4. Revisit Your Proudest Moments These don't have to be professional achievements. A proud moment might be the way you handled a conversation, a decision you made under pressure, or how you supported someone through a difficult time. Pride is an emotional signal — it points to the moments where you felt most yourself, most capable, most aligned. Collect these moments. Look for the pattern they make. Ask yourself: When have I felt quietly proud of how I handled something? 5. Pay Attention to What Energises You Strengths and energy are closely connected. When you're using a genuine strength, it tends to feel absorbing rather than draining — even when it's challenging. Think about the activities, conversations, or tasks that leave you feeling more alive, not less. That energy is a clue. Ask yourself: What could I do for hours without watching the clock? What to Do With What You Find Spotting your hidden strengths is just the beginning. The next step is learning how to articulate them — to yourself, in a CV, and in an interview room. That's where the real transformation happens. In my six-week programme, we spend dedicated time on exactly this: uncovering who you are now, identifying what you bring to the table, and translating that into language that opens doors. By the end, you'll have a professionally written CV that reflects the full picture of your capability — not just the last job title you held. You Are Not Starting From Scratch One of the most important things I want you to hear is this: returning to work does not mean starting over. It means bringing everything you've learned — all of it — into your next chapter. Your strengths didn't disappear when you stepped away. They were just waiting to be found again.
Know your job market
Understand what employers are looking for. Get practical insight into your industry and opportunities.Returning to work after a career break can feel like stepping into an unfamiliar world. The job market moves quickly, and it's easy to feel behind. But here's the truth: with the right knowledge, you can walk into your job search with confidence and clarity. Why Understanding the Job Market Matters Before you update your CV or start applying, it pays to pause and look at the landscape. Knowing your job market means understanding who is hiring, what skills are in demand, and what employers genuinely value right now. This knowledge transforms your job search from guesswork into a focused, purposeful strategy. What Are Employers Actually Looking For? The good news is that after a career break, you likely have more to offer than you realise. Employers today are not just hiring for technical skills, they are looking for well-rounded individuals who can contribute from day one. Here are the qualities consistently valued across industries: • Reliability and commitment - A track record of showing up and delivering matters enormously. • Transferable skills - Communication, problem-solving, organisation, and people management are relevant in almost every role. • Adaptability - The ability to learn, adjust, and embrace change is one of the most in-demand qualities in today's workplace. • Emotional intelligence - Employers increasingly value self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to work well with others. • A growth mindset - Demonstrating that you are actively learning and developing signals ambition and resilience. How to Research Your Industry Understanding your sector is not just about browsing job boards. It requires a more intentional approach. 1. Start with job listings — but read between the lines. Look at ten to fifteen job descriptions in roles that interest you. What words and phrases keep appearing? What qualifications are listed as essential versus desirable? This tells you what the market currently values. 2. Follow industry conversations LinkedIn, professional associations, and industry publications are your best friends here. Follow companies you admire, read about sector trends, and pay attention to what professionals in your target field are talking about. 3. Speak to people in the industry Informational interviews — simply asking someone already in a role for a 20-minute conversation — are one of the most powerful research tools available. Most people are happy to share their experience. You are not asking for a job; you are gathering insight. 4. Look at local and regional opportunities If you are based in or around Norwich, research local employers, growth sectors in Norfolk and Suffolk, and industries where demand is rising. Local councils, business networks, and regional economic reports can all give you a clearer picture of where opportunities are emerging. Identifying What Is Right for You Job market research is not just about matching yourself to what exists. It is also about filtering opportunities through the lens of your own values, needs, and aspirations. Ask yourself: • What type of work environment suits me — office, hybrid, remote, or field-based? • What hours and flexibility do I need to make this sustainable? • What industries genuinely interest me, and where might my experience translate naturally? • What salary range do I need, and what does the market currently offer for roles I am targeting? These questions help you avoid applying for everything and instead focus your energy where you have the best chance of both getting hired and thriving once you are there. The Confidence Gap Is Real — But It Is Bridgeable One of the most common barriers for women returning to work is not a lack of skills or experience — it is a lack of confidence in presenting what they already have. Understanding the job market helps close that gap. When you know what employers are looking for and you can see clearly how your background aligns, it becomes much easier to articulate your value. You are not starting from scratch. You are starting from experience. Taking the Next Step If you are ready to move from uncertainty to clarity, the right support can make all the difference. At Lucy Bowler, the six-week programme is designed to help you do exactly this, understand who you are now, what you have to offer, and where the right opportunities exist for you. You deserve a career that fits the life you are living today. Let's find it together.
Prepare for interviews
Master interview basics without the overwhelm. Practice answering questions with real confidence. The Interview Fear Is Real... It Makes Sense... If you haven't sat in an interview chair for a few years or even a decade, the thought of it can feel genuinely terrifying. What will they ask? Will you blank out? Will you seem out of touch? Let's start by saying this clearly: that fear is completely normal. And it doesn't mean you're not ready. It means you're human. What it does mean is that preparation matters more than ever. Not frantic, frenzied preparation but calm, structured readiness that reminds you of something important: you have more to offer than you think! Know What Employers Are Actually Looking For: Interviews have shifted significantly. Most employers now use competency-based or behavioural interviewing, meaning they want to hear specific examples of what you've done, not just what you can do. You'll often hear questions like: • "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult situation at work." • "Give me an example of when you had to manage competing priorities." • "Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly to change." These aren't trick questions. They're an invitation to share your story. Use the STAR Method — But Make It Human The STAR method is your best friend in a competency interview: • Situation — Set the scene briefly • Task — What was your role or responsibility? • Action — What did you specifically do? • Result — What happened because of it? The key is not to sound rehearsed. Practice your STAR answers out loud — ideally with another person — until they feel natural, not scripted. You want to tell a story, not recite a script. Prepare Your Own Questions Too Interviews are a two-way conversation. Coming with thoughtful questions written in a notepad this signals confidence and genuine interest. Consider asking: • "What does success look like in this role in the first three months?" • "How would you describe the team culture here?" • "What are the opportunities for development in this position?" Avoid asking about salary or annual leave in a first interview — save those conversations for when an offer is on the table. The Practicalities Matter More Than You Think What to wear: Dress one level smarter than the company culture suggests. When in doubt, err on the side of polished. A well-fitted blazer, clean shoes, and minimal jewellery signal that you've taken this seriously ... because you have. Logistics: Know exactly where you're going. If it's in person, do a practice run if you can. Arriving flustered undoes good preparation. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early — no more, no less. Virtual interviews: Ensure your background is tidy, your lighting is good, and your connection is tested in advance. Position your camera at eye level and look into the lens when speaking, not at yourself on screen. What to Do When Your Mind Goes Blank It happens to everyone. If you freeze mid-answer, you have permission to pause. Take a breath. Say: "That's a great question — let me think about that for a moment." No interviewer penalises thoughtfulness. What they notice is how you handle pressure. If you genuinely can't recall a specific example, it is fine to say: "I'm drawing a blank on a direct example right now, but here's how I would approach that situation..." Then walk them through your thinking. Composure counts. You Are Not Starting From Zero One of the most common things women say when returning to work is: "I feel like I have nothing to offer." You have built skills during your time away that most employers value deeply — resilience, problem-solving, organisation, empathy, and the ability to manage complexity under pressure. The challenge isn't that you lack experience. The challenge is learning how to talk about it with the confidence it deserves. That's exactly what preparation — and the right support — can give you. A Note on Nerves Nerves are not the enemy. A small amount of adrenaline actually sharpens your focus. The goal isn't to eliminate nerves — it's to feel prepared enough that they don't run the show. Breathe. Prepare. Practice. And remember: the right employer isn't looking for perfection. They're looking for the right person. That could absolutely be you.
Stay updated and share your story
Subscribe for regular tips and advice tailored to your return to work journey. Share your experience and connect with other women navigating this transition.
Resources helping women find their way back
Our blog reaches women at every stage of their return to work journey, providing practical guidance and confidence-building advice.
15+
Articles published
Practical guides covering self-discovery, interview prep, and career confidence for returning women.
2k+
Readers reached
Women finding clarity and direction through our blog content each month.
92%
Find content helpful
Readers report the advice gives them concrete next steps and renewed confidence.
6
Week programme
Complemented by our structured support journey with tailored CV and 90-day action plan.