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Career breakers soft skills

Resources to help you refresh your soft skills and find a new position if you're returning to work after a career break.

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Webinars on communication and presentation skills

Exclusive Networking and building connections
  • Webinar
  • 15 Nov 2023
This on-demand webinar from the ICAEW Career Breakers community aims to empower participants to change the way that they perceive networking, encouraging them to practice and experiment with different approaches to building and creating connections.
Exclusive Positive personal impact for professional success
  • Webinar
  • 15 May 2023
ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community webinar looking at the importance of professional relationships, the psychology of personal image and impact and the three personal impact ‘tools’ which affect what people say about us when we’re not in the room.
Simple techniques to improve communication
  • Webinar
  • 22 Jun 2020
Learn how to communicate clearly and get people on your side.
Exclusive Power BI presentation features
  • Webinar
  • 14 May 2020
Power BI Desktop is a free application that can turn financial data into animated and interactive visualisations.
How to network your way to success
  • Webinar
  • 13 May 2020
Key insights and techniques to aid those who want to thrive and grow through the simple art of talking to people.
Welcome to the new normal – How to talk professionally online
  • Webinar
  • 29 Apr 2020
Everyone is having to learn to talk online now, but It's easy to get it wrong when you're at home. You don't want to look and sound unprofessional. This webinar will give you expert advice and tips on how to have a professional image on screen whether in meetings or interviews.
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Webinars on career development

73 episode
So you want to be a leader?
  • Podcast
  • 17 Apr 2024
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss how accountants can build the skills needed to take on leadership and executive roles during their careers.
Exclusive Positive personal impact for professional success
  • Webinar
  • 15 May 2023
ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community webinar looking at the importance of professional relationships, the psychology of personal image and impact and the three personal impact ‘tools’ which affect what people say about us when we’re not in the room.
Why you? 101 job interview questions you'll never fear again
  • Webinar
  • 21 Sep 2021
James Reed shares interview preparation techniques and tips on how to ace a job interview.
Online learning: Get the job you want
  • Webinar
  • 14 Sep 2021
This webinar from the Business and Management Faculty and CABA will explore networking and how to develop a personal brand.
Skills to future proof your career as much as possible
  • Webinar
  • 05 May 2021
This session will provide tangible advice and guidance on what to consider to develop your career, including key skill development.
CV skills and interview workshop
  • Webinar
  • 27 Apr 2021
There are several reasons why people may take a break from their careers. This ranges from maternity leave and childcare, looking after a family member to volunteering, studying, travelling or unfortunately redundancy. People may find that returning to work following a career break a daunting prospect, as they worry that their CV needs to be completely reworked or that their interview skills may need a bit of practice. Join us for this webinar where our speaker Kirsteen Allen, Director and Business Adviser at KA Consultants, will answer some of the most common questions.
Motivating your team: A three-pronged approach
  • Webinar
  • 19 Mar 2021
This webinar explores three aspects of motivation that need to come together to get the most from your staff.
Navigating office politics positively
  • Webinar
  • 05 Nov 2020
This webinar will look at what organisational politics is, why it occurs and what individuals need to focus on to improve their personal political intelligence.
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Industry press - articles on career breaks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles as a benefit of ICAEW membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Online resources troubleshooting or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Organisations benefit from employees taking sabbaticals, research shows
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • David Burkus
The article summarises the findings of a number of research studies into the effect of sabbatical leave on employee wellbeing and organizational performance. Benefits to individuals from sabbaticals can include a decline in stress and an increase in overall well-being, while organisations can use sabbatical programs as a means to stress test their procedures and give aspiring leaders a chance to grow.
Exclusive Rest, reflect, recharge - experts share how to do sabbaticals right
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
  • Emily Haynes
Many of us dream of taking a sabbatical and leaving work behind for a few months, but that's not as simple as it sounds. Experts say sabbaticals are not just a break from work. They demand deep introspection and significant planning to schedule time for rest, reflection, and sometimes adventure. The article gives advice on how to get the most out of the sabbatical experience, and looks at some common types of sabbaticals - 'passion projects', 'quests' and 'free dives'.
Exclusive Allstate's returnship program ensures career breaks aren't career enders
  • Article
  • 16 Feb 2023
  • Alyssa Place
Research shows that taking time away from the office is becoming more commonplace, and can even be seen as a strength. The article looks at the 16-week returnship program offered by insurance company Allstate, as an example of how to recruit valuable yet often overlooked individuals who have been on career breaks. Companies like Amazon, Meta, Accenture, Pepsi and others have also launched similar return-to-work programs.
Exclusive 'Returnships' are a big new work trend you need to know about
  • Article
  • 26 Jan 2023
A look at schemes like Goldman Sachs' pioneering 'returnships' program, first designed in the wake of the 2008 economic crash and still running fifteen years later. The returnship is specifically tailored for those with existing work experience, who may be coming back after a career break.
Exclusive One plus one
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2022
  • Susan Muldowney
An interview with participants in CA ANZ’s 'Mentor Exchange: Return to Work' program, which connects members who have recently returned to the profession or are contemplating a career break. Mentor Elaine Boyd CA guided Annie Deng CA when she returned to accounting after having a baby - here they both discuss their experiences on the program.
Exclusive Are workers more productive at home?
  • Article
  • 02 Jun 2022
  • Justin Fox
A conversation with Stanford economist Nick Bloom on a surprising find from the COVID-19 pandemic: remote work can lead to productivity gains and fuel economic growth. Bloom has been studying employee benefits and discovered that certain pro-work-life-balance policies (maternity leave, job sharing, part-time work and work from home) were positively correlated with good firm performance.
Exclusive Don't underestimate the power of allowing employees to unplug
  • Article
  • 01 Jun 2022
  • Penny Crosman
Many companies on American Banker magazine's 'Best Places to Work in Fintech' list offer sabbaticals or generous vacation time, which helps attract young talent and lets long-term employees re-energize. The article showcases the sabbaticals offered at Ascent Funding, Wise and Alkami as examples.
Exclusive Sabbaticals aren't just for Professors
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2021
  • Katherine Reynolds Lewis
Traditionally a perk of universities for professors to work on scholarly projects, sabbaticals are catching on in the private sector to improve recruitment, retention and productivity while supporting work-life balance. The article takes a look at the HR policies on sabbaticals in companies such as Citigroup, OneMedical and Adobe. Tips are also given on how to make the most of a sabbatical.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access articles subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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eBooks on career breaks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive Get the best from a career break: how to make the most from your time away from the office
  • eBook
  • 2005
  • Bloomsbury
  • Bloomsbury
How to exploit the opportunities available from career breaks, including the pros and cons of career breaks, the options available, personal finances and flexible working.
Exclusive Maternity/paternity rights, Adoption leave and pay, flexible working for parents and carers
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Ewan McIntyre
  • Pearson
These sections of the chapter on employment law cover the rights of working parents including maternity and paternity leave and pay; shared parental leave and pay; adoption leave and pay, flexible working for carers and parents; time off for dependents; and the right to return to work after maternity leave.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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Career confidence with caba

caba is the charity for Chartered Accountants, supporting past and present ICAEW members, ACA students and their close families from across the globe through everyday situations to exceptional life-changing circumstances. ICAEW members are entitled to free, confidential support from caba, including professional career support.

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eBooks on CVs and interview skills

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive What color is your parachute? 2018 : a practical manual for job-hunters and career-changers.
  • eBook
  • 2018
  • Richard Nelson Bolles
  • Ten Speed press
The world's most popular job-search book gives guidance with up-to-the-minute information and advice for today's job-hunters and career-changers.
Exclusive Great answers to tough CV problems: CV secrets from a top career coach
  • eBook
  • 2011
  • Jenny Rogers
  • Kogan Page
Detailed guide to constructing effective CVS.
Exclusive Get the job you want, even when no one's hiring: take charge of your career, find a job you love, and earn what you deserve
  • eBook
  • 2009
  • Ford R. Myers
  • John Wiley and Sons
Guide to job seeking in a difficult economy.
Exclusive Readymade CVs: winning CVs for EVERY type of job
  • eBook
  • 2009
  • Lynn Williams
  • Kogan Page
A guide to tailoring CVS to different types of job.
Exclusive Readymade job search letters: winning letters and e-mails to help you get your dream job
  • eBook
  • 2009
  • Lynn Williams
  • Kogan Page
A guide to writing effective job search letters.
Exclusive Ultimate aptitude tests: assess your potential with aptitude, motivational and personality tests
  • eBook
  • 2008
  • Jim Barrett
  • Kogan Page
Aptitude tests commonly found in education and employment.
Exclusive Successful interviewing and recruitment
  • eBook
  • 2008
  • Rob Yeung
  • Kogan Page
Guide for staff conducting interviews.
Exclusive Brilliant job hunting: how to get the job you want
  • eBook
  • 2008
  • Angela Fagan
  • Pearson
Practical advice on how to get the job you want.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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Balancing work and caring

Balancing Work and Caring
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2021
  • Working Families
This guide from Working Families covers a host of topics – from your legal rights at work, to finding and funding appropriate childcare and care for adults, to tips for self-care.
The changing face of work and family life: An interview with the CEOs of Talking Talent and Working Families
  • Website
  • 2020
  • Chris Parke, Working Families
We kept wishing the world of work would change. And it has. There has been a huge shift in the way we work since COVID-19 – for the better. Yet so many questions remain unanswered and out of our control.

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Information, insights, guidance and networking opportunities on a range of industry sectors and at various stages throughout your career.
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Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.