Climbing the Career Ladder as a Carer: 9 Tips

Climbing the Career Ladder as a Carer: 9 Tips

If you’re working a full-time job while also caring for a parent, partner or relative, you’re already doing two demanding roles. Both of these can often be invisible and emotionally taxing.

So, how do you continue to grow in your career without compromising the care you give at home? It is possible, but it requires a bit of strategy, self-compassion, and some clever thinking around how you use your time, energy, and support systems.

Here are some practical tips to help you climb the career ladder while being a carer.

1. Treat your caring experience as a skill (because it is)

You might not realise it, but the skills you use daily as a carer are deeply valuable in the workplace. Crisis management, patience, advocacy, organisation, empathy, negotiation - you name it. These aren’t “soft” skills. They’re strategic skills.

Tip: During appraisals or when applying for internal roles, talk about your caring role in the context of transferable strengths. For example:

“Managing medication schedules and appointments for my mum has taught me how to prioritise effectively and handle unexpected challenges - skills I’ve found incredibly useful when managing project timelines and tight deadlines at work.”

Framing your experience as a strength, rather than a weakness, doesn't just humanise you - it shows resilience and leadership.

2. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time - go for micro-moves

Big career leaps can feel daunting when you're juggling home responsibilities. Instead of waiting for a “clear” patch (which may never come), look for micro-moves that grow your skill set or profile in manageable ways.

This could be:

  • Leading a short-term task force or internal committee.
  • Mentoring a junior colleague.
  • Putting your hand up for a one-off presentation or training session.

These small, visible contributions often lead to bigger opportunities, and you can choose ones that work around your schedule.

3. Craft a work narrative that reflects your reality

If you’re concerned about being overlooked because you work part-time or flexibly, focus on quality over quantity. The narrative you tell your manager matters.

Instead of saying, “I can only do three days because I’m a carer,” try:

“I currently work three focused days where I deliver [specific outcomes]. This model has allowed me to bring clarity and efficiency to my projects while balancing home responsibilities. I’d be keen to grow further within this model.”

You’re not making excuses, you’re showcasing what you can offer, and doing it confidently.

4. Invest in you, even if it’s 15 minutes a week

You might feel like you have no time to develop professionally. But personal growth doesn’t have to mean a new qualification or hours of studying.

  • Read one article a week about your industry.
  • Listen to a 10-minute podcast while washing up.
  • Join an online community of working carers or professionals in your field.

Your growth doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. It just needs to be consistent and intentional.

5. Build allies at work who ‘get it’

It makes a huge difference to have a couple of colleagues who understand your situation, whether they’re carers themselves or simply compassionate people.

These workplace allies can:

  • Cover for you in emergencies
  • Vouch for your contributions
  • Advocate for more inclusive policies
  • Share advice on balancing work with caregiving

If your workplace has an Employee Network Group (ENG) for carers or parents, join it, or suggest starting one. Shared experiences build powerful support systems.

6. Network differently

Balancing work with caregiving can sometimes make you feel like you're working in the shadows, but you can still build strong connections. Try “micro-networking”:

  • Voice notes: Send short updates or check-ins to colleagues.
  • Email check-ins: Brief monthly updates to your manager on key accomplishments.
  • Quick mentoring: Short, informal 15-minute chats on platforms like WhatsApp or Teams.

Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t just have to be a digital resume - it’s a platform for showcasing your expertise and accomplishments. Share your professional insights, even if they’re outside the direct scope of your current role. If you’ve gained valuable skills as a carer - share these insights in a post.

For example, “Caring for a family member has taught me the importance of resilience and adaptive problem-solving. These skills have directly impacted my ability to lead projects at work.”

7. Redefine ambition on your own terms

Career progression doesn’t always mean working longer hours or gunning for the next promotion. Sometimes, it’s about working smarter, not more. Maybe for you, success means stepping sideways into a more flexible role that still builds your skill set. Or maybe it’s about leading a project on your terms, not someone else’s schedule.

8. Prioritise recovery as part of growth

Career climbing often paints a picture of hustle and grind. But as a carer, you need to rest to stay resilient. Burnout doesn’t just hurt your personal health - it stalls your professional growth too.

Build in micro-moments of recovery. That could be a quick walk during lunch, or a boundary like no work emails after 6pm. Making time for rest means you’ll have more energy to tackle both your work and care responsibilities.

9. Develop a long-term plan

It’s easy to focus on the immediate needs of caring and forget about longer-term career aspirations. But a bit of future planning can help reduce the anxiety of trying to juggle everything in the present.

Ask yourself:

  • What skills do I want to develop in the next 6-12 months?
  • What career milestone do I want to reach in 1, 2, or 5 years?
  • How can I start to incorporate career progression with my current caregiving?

For example, if you’re a carer but also looking to move into a management role, it might mean finding opportunities to lead projects, even on a smaller scale, or attending webinars that focus on managerial skills. Balancing the now with future planning can give you a clear direction, even in busy times.

You’re not falling behind - you’re climbing differently

Being a carer and a professional isn't about doing it all- it's about doing what matters, with intention and clarity. You’re developing a unique skill set that blends compassion, leadership, and resilience - qualities any great employer should value.

So give yourself credit. You’re not behind - you’re climbing your own kind of ladder, one meaningful step at a time.