Overcome Being Derailed in Your Tech Career: A 4 step Guide for Women in Tech
Getting derailed in your tech career can feel overwhelming.
For women, the challenges can be even more complex. Balancing professional goals with societal expectations and personal commitments often means carrying a mental load that others don’t understand.
Maybe you’ve missed out on a promotion, faced bias in the workplace, or questioned your abilities after an unexpected reaction from a colleague. As I write this I’m reminded of times where I’ve been derailed in my tech career.
It’s tough, but here’s the good news: setbacks are temporary. You can get back on track and come back stronger.
This step-by-step guide is here to help you navigate the impact process and get your career in tech back on track.
Step 1: Release Your Emotions
Why It Matters:
Bottling up frustration or sadness can hold you back. Acknowledging your feelings is the first step toward healing.
What to Do:
- Let Yourself Feel: Take time to process your emotions—anger, sadness, frustration. Let it out in a healthy way, whether through journaling, venting to a trusted friend, or get a box of tissues and have a good cry.
- Lean on Your Support System: Share your experiences with people you trust—friends, family, or colleagues. They can offer perspective and remind you of your worth.
Avoid isolating yourself during this stage.
Step 2: Assess the Setback and Plan Your Next Move
Why It Matters:
Understanding what happened empowers you to move forward strategically.
What to Do
- Identify Possible Causes: Reflect on the situation. While you may not pinpoint the exact cause, considering possibilities can provide clarity.
- Focus on What You Can Control: Recognise what’s within your power to change and what isn’t. For example, you can improve your skills or broaden your network, but you can’t always influence company politics.
Step 3: Reflect and Learn from the Experience
Why It Matters:
Whilst being derailed is horrible, setbacks can teach you valuable lessons that set the stage for future growth.
What to Do:
- Identify Opportunities for Growth: Ask yourself, “What would I do differently next time?” Maybe it’s improving communication, advocating for yourself, or developing new technical skills.
- Remember What You Did Well: Even in setbacks, there are wins. Did you stay professional under pressure? Did you complete a challenging project despite obstacles?
Step 4: Take Action to get back on track
Why It Matters:
Action builds momentum. By taking small steps after you’ve been derailed, you’ll regain confidence and focus.
What to Do:
- Upskill and Reskill: Been putting off that learning you wanted to do? Now is the time to explore online courses enhance your expertise .
- Network with Intention: Attend industry events, connect with peers on LinkedIn, or join communities that align with your interests. Networking can lead to new opportunities and fresh perspectives.
- Update Your LinkedIn Profile: Revamp your headline, skills, and achievements to align with your career goals. A strong LinkedIn profile increases visibility and opens doors to recruiters.
- Work with a Career Coach: Working with a coach specialising in women in tech can provide tailored guidance, help you recover from being derailed, rebuild confidence, and create a roadmap for lasting success.
From Setback to Comeback: You can get back on track
Career derailments are challenging, but they’re also an opportunity to reset and grow. As a woman in tech, your resilience and determination can turn obstacles into stepping stones.
By processing your emotions, assessing the situation, learning from the experience, and taking proactive steps, you’ll be back on track before you know it.
Let’s Work Together
Been derailed in your career? I specialise in helping women like you to get back on track and rebuild confidence to achieve lasting success. You don’t have to do it on your own.
Get in touch with me here: Contact – Once Upon A Tech Recruiter
