Transcript

SUE BLACK

Hi. This week’s all about strengthening your networks. First of all, you'll be looking at confidence, something that's very often a major issue but difficult to put your finger on. When you've been out of work, you can feel that the world of work is a million miles away, especially if you've been focused on the needs of children and family. You may have lost confidence in your professional identity. So you'll be exploring what confidence means and some tips on how to empower yourself.

You've probably heard the phrase, no man is an island. And this is a really important part of re-emerging into the professional world. This week is all about how to use your contacts and networks to help you. You'll be dusting off your old address books and using your LinkedIn account to reconnect to people you may have lost touch with. You'll be looking at the power of mentoring and finding out how to get yourself a mentor.

I've had lots of mentors in my life, people who've made a real difference to me, for example, Dame Professor Wendy Hall at the University of Southampton. I heard Wendy speak at an events many years ago and thought, I want to be like her.

After her talk, I approached Wendy, asking if she'd be my mentor. She very politely said she'd love to but didn't have the time. Undeterred, I asked her for just one hour a year of her time. She agreed. I was so delighted. That one hour a year has been really helpful over the years.