How To Find A New Job With Purpose. Job Search For Women.

Q: As a woman, how do I figure out why I want a new job before I start applying?

Begin by reflecting on your deeper motivations, such as wanting better work-life balance, more fulfilment, or new challenges. Understanding your why helps ensure your next role supports you, not just your finances. Next step: book a free 1:1 triage session with the Women of Our Time Support Hub.

Q: What is Ikigai, and how can it help women find the right job?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning a reason for being. It helps you identify the overlap between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, so you can focus your search on roles that feel meaningful and realistic.

Q: How do I create my perfect job description as a woman returning to work?

Define what you need now, for example flexibility, growth, pay, culture, and wellbeing support. Then map that to real job titles, industries, and work environments that align with your strengths and lifestyle. This turns a broad search into a focused plan.

Q: How can a woman prepare for job interviews and assessment centres confidently?

Confidence comes from preparation. Practise answers, build a bank of evidence-led examples, and research the employer’s values and culture so you can communicate fit clearly. Rehearse out loud and refine your story.

Q: Why do women often lack confidence when applying for jobs, and how can a woman overcome it?

Self-doubt and imposter feelings are common, especially during transitions or after time away. Keep an achievements list, get feedback on your CV, practise interviews, and anchor your confidence in evidence of your skills and impact.

Q: How can a woman feel more confident starting her job search?

Start small and build momentum. Update one section of your CV, reach out to one contact, and track wins weekly. Pair purpose with practical steps so you stay focused and consistent.

Women of our Time
Jan 8
7 min read

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New Year, New Start?

As a new year begins, many of us naturally find ourselves in a period of renewed clarity and intention. The fresh start of January, after time away, moments of rest, and space to breathe, often encourages us to think more deeply about where we are in our careers and where we want to go next. It’s during this time that many women begin to feel a growing desire for change, especially in their professional lives. This reset period can be compelling. It encourages you to pause and reconnect with yourself, your goals, and your deeper motivations. Instead of brushing aside those thoughts that arise in January, we invite you to explore them.

If you’re feeling that beginning-of-year nudge to rethink your career path, know that you’re not alone. This is a natural and intuitive time to reassess, realign, and reimagine what your professional journey could look like. And when you’re ready, we’re here to support you, every step of the way, as you turn that reflection into purposeful action.

At Women at Work Support Hub, we believe it's just as important to understand why you're looking for a new job in the first place. Taking a step back to explore your motivations and values, as well as how these fit with your career goals, can help ensure you not only find a job but also find one that truly aligns with your purpose and aspirations.

Understanding Your “Why”: What’s Driving Your Job Search?

Before jumping into job applications, it’s crucial to understand why you feel the need to make a change. Are you looking for a better work-life balance? Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current role? Do you crave new challenges or the opportunity to work in an industry that aligns more closely with your passions? At the Women at Work Support Hub, we take time to help you reflect on these questions. By addressing your motivations first, we can help you gain clarity and confidence, ensuring that your next job is more than just a paycheck—it’s an opportunity to align your career with your deeper sense of purpose.

Clarifying Your Purpose: Using Ikigai to Find Your North Star:

Once we understand your reasons for seeking a new job, we use the Ikigai concept to help you discover your purpose—your "North Star." Ikigai, a Japanese term that roughly translates to "a reason for being," is a powerful framework for identifying a career that’s both meaningful and fulfilling. It combines four key elements:

What You Love (Your Passion):

What excites and energises you? What are the things that you feel truly passionate about? These are the activities, causes, or roles that you are naturally drawn to.

What You’re Good At (Your Strengths):

What are your natural talents or skills? These can be hard skills (like data analysis or project management) or soft skills (such as communication, empathy, or leadership). Recognising your strengths helps you align your job search with what you excel at, which is key to long-term job satisfaction.

What the World Needs (What You Can Give Back):

What contributions do you want to make to the world? This could be something small like helping others, or it could involve making a broader impact through the work you do. Understanding how your job can serve a larger purpose can increase your sense of fulfilment and help guide your career path.

What You Can Be Paid For (Your Profession):

Of course, it's important to consider what roles exist in the job market that pay you for your skills. Finding a balance between your passion, strengths, and what you can be compensated for is key to creating a sustainable and meaningful career.

By reflecting on these four components of Ikigai, you’ll not only gain clarity about what drives you, but you’ll also be able to start thinking about what kind of job you want to pursue that aligns with your passions, strengths, and personal values. Ikigai can act as your career compass, helping to direct your job search and ensure that you find a role that feels truly rewarding.

Crafting Your Perfect Job: Combining Purpose with Practicality:

Once you've explored your Ikigai and have clarity on your passions, strengths, and purpose, the next step is to craft your ideal job. This involves combining your deeper desires with practical realities. What are the job titles or roles that align with your Ikigai? What industries excite you? What type of work environment will support your wellbeing and personal growth? By merging your purpose-driven insights with a strategic approach to job roles, you’ll be able to identify not just any job, but one that truly resonates with your values and long-term aspirations.

Job Search Strategy: Finding the Right Fit:

With your ideal role and purpose in mind, it's time to work on a strategy to find the job. The job search process can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can approach it with clarity and focus. At the Women at Work Support Hub, we guide you through:

Targeting the Right Companies:

We help you identify companies that share your values, align with your purpose, and offer the work environment you're seeking. Our approach ensures that you’re not just looking for any job, but for one that’s a true fit for your aspirations.

Networking and Connections:

Networking can be one of the most effective ways to find a new job. We provide tips on how to build and leverage your professional network, helping you open doors to opportunities that may not be publicly advertised.

Tailored Job Applications:

We help you craft applications that stand out. Your CV and cover letter will not just be a list of your skills and qualifications, but a story of who you are, what you’re passionate about, and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. We work with you to design a CV that tells your unique story and highlights your strengths.

A Holistic Approach to Job Searching:

The Women at Work Support Hub isn’t just another career coaching service. We take a holistic approach to your job search. Our method focuses not just on securing a job, but on ensuring that the job you get is the right one for you—one that aligns with your passions, strengths, and values. By helping you gain clarity on your purpose and guiding you through the job search process step by step, we aim to empower you to make intentional and impactful career choices.

If you’re ready to start your job search with a clear sense of purpose and direction, we’re here to help. Visit our services page to learn more about how we can support you in finding a job that’s not just a paycheck, but a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.

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FAQs. Job Search For Women In The UK

1. As a woman, how do I figure out why I want a new job before I start applying?

Begin by reflecting as a woman on your deeper motivations, whether you’re seeking better work–life balance, more fulfilment, or new challenges. Understanding why you want to change helps ensure your next role supports you as a woman, not just your bank account.

Next Step: Book your free 1:1 triage session with the WOOT Support Hub. We help women clarify their motivations and build confidence in choosing the right career direction.

2. What is Ikigai, and how can it help women find the right job?

Ikigai is a powerful framework that supports women in discovering meaningful work. It helps a woman identify the overlap between what she loves, what she’s good at, what the world needs, and what she can be paid for, guiding her toward a job that truly fits.

Next Step: Explore more in the Women of Our Time: Small Steps to Take Control book, which includes frameworks designed to help women align their purpose with their career choices.

3. How do I create my perfect job description as a woman returning to work?

As a woman re-entering the workplace, start by combining what you need, such as flexibility, growth, or wellbeing support, with real job titles and industries that fit your lifestyle. Don’t wait for the ideal role to appear; women benefit greatly by defining it first.

Next Step: Your free 1:1 session matches women with experienced advisors who can help craft a focused strategy, including shaping a CV that showcases your unique strengths and story.

4. How can a woman prepare for job interviews and assessment centres confidently?

Confidence grows with preparation. Women can boost their readiness by practising interview answers, compiling success stories, and researching company values and culture. Being well-prepared helps any woman walk in with clarity and self-assurance.

Next Step: Our online toolkits offer women practical interview techniques. Your free 1:1 session is also the perfect space to rehearse and refine your interview strategy.

5. Why do women often lack confidence when applying for jobs, and how can a woman overcome it?

Many women experience imposter syndrome or worry about career gaps but these feelings are common, not defining. Build a “brag bank” of achievements, practice mock interviews, and remind yourself of your skills and lived experience. Women can shift self-doubt into strength with the right tools.

Next Step: Tune into the WOOT Podcasts for inspiring stories from women who overcame doubt. Your free 1:1 session can also help you replace uncertainty with genuine self-belief.

6. How can a woman feel more confident starting her job search?

Confidence for women often begins with reconnecting to past achievements, strengths, and passions. Set small, realistic goals—like updating one section of your CV or reaching out to one contact so momentum builds without overwhelm.

Next Step: The Support Hub provides resources designed specifically for women, helping you reflect on your professional identity and take purposeful steps in your job search.