Maybe you left your job in 2020 because it got too crazy at home during lockdown, working remotely, and helping the kids with online learning. Perhaps you took some time off after maternity leave that just happened to stretch longer than you planned, like, oh, I don’t know, 18 years? Or maybe you just want to get back into full-time work after an extended absence.
Whatever scenario fits you best, now is a great time to jump back into the workforce. Forbes reports the U.S. labor market is experiencing historic job growth. Employers are expanding their job pools to include candidates from all over the country as remote work seems to be here to stay, an interesting side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some companies are even offering sign-on bonuses and other perks.
Thinking about reentering the workforce is exciting, but it also can be nerve-wracking. You are not alone. Women, in particular, tend to move in and out of the workforce more often than their male counterparts. Almost half of working mothers, for example, take an extended break past their allotted maternity leave, according to a 2020 survey of working parents by LinkedIn and Censuswide, which found the average duration of that break is about two years.
Getting back to work after a prolonged period of time can have its challenges. Obviously, it’s important to update your resume and LinkedIn profile and analyze how your new skill set can be best used in the current work environment, but there is another way to build expertise that directly translates to the workplace, whether on Wall Street or on restaurant row — playing poker. Not only can it help you get back into the game, it can help advance your career later on too.
Poker improves confidence
Reentering the workforce, especially after being out for a while, is intimidating. The 2020 LinkedIn/Censuswide survey revealed that one of the largest fears working mothers have when taking a break from the workforce is that their skills would get rusty and they would lose touch with current trends in their respective jobs.
Poker helps women sharpen their skills by building confidence in themselves and in their decisions by learning when to go all in, when to fold, and how to recognize tells. If you have a gap on your resume, own it. Have the confidence to discuss why you were out of the workforce and what you have learned through your absence.
Poker changes your attitude
Women have a tendency to be rule-followers. Consequently, the concept of taking risks doesn’t always come naturally. Playing poker can help develop strategic decision-making abilities, including patience and discipline, which are necessary skills to use on a day-to-day basis. The power of poker is that it helps prioritize what you should be focused on and not to sweat the small stuff. If you make a mistake in one round, just play it differently next time. As you play more, you will gain more experience and confidence in your decisions.
Poker teaches self-reliance
Poker empowers women to bet on themselves and take charge of their own stories. Each hand dealt holds a different possibility, a different angle to play. If you don’t like how it’s going, size up your own strengths and change the narrative.
Poker is an individual sport. When it comes right down to it, it’s all up to you. Strategic thinking is crucial here, and mastering poker will help you make bold choices. Whether it’s getting that new job or advancing your career, poker can teach ways to claim your seat at the table and move into higher positions.
We know there’s a strong connection between women’s success and the game of poker. Poker Power is committed to teaching the game of poker to anyone who identifies as female. Join us today to discover the power of poker firsthand.
