Whether you are returning after a career break, pivoting sector, or running a business and want to keep your options open, employability is an asset you cannot afford to let slip. The UK labour market in 2026 still rewards people who can prove what they can do, not just what they have done.

Here are five practical ways to make yourself more employable as a UK woman this year.

Make yourself more employable: the 2026 UK context

The rules have shifted in favour of proactive candidates. Since April 2024, all employees in Great Britain have had the day-one right to request flexible working under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023. The National Living Wage rose to £12.21 per hour in April 2025 for workers aged 21 and over, according to HMRC. The median gender pay gap for full-time employees was 7.7% in April 2024, according to the ONS. Women aged 50 and over are also the fastest-growing group of self-employed workers, as ONS data reported by Prowess shows.

These figures matter because they affect how you position yourself, what you can negotiate, and which skills are worth investing in.

1. Close skills gaps with free or funded UK training

Employers in 2026 are hiring for capability, not just credentials. The good news is that government-funded training is widely available if you know where to look. Skills Bootcamps, delivered through the Department for Education, offer free flexible courses of up to 16 weeks in areas such as digital marketing, data analysis, coding, construction, and health and social care. They are open to adults in England who are employed, self-employed, or unemployed, and many include a guaranteed interview with a local employer.

If you are already self-employed or running a small business, these courses can also help you win contracts by adding recognised skills to your offer. Check gov.uk/skills-bootcamps for provision in your area.

2. Build evidence, not just a CV

A CV lists responsibilities; evidence proves impact. Before you apply for a role, gather concrete examples of what you have delivered. Use numbers wherever possible: sales figures, cost savings, project deadlines met, team sizes managed, or customer satisfaction scores.

If you have been self-employed, treat your business achievements as professional achievements. Revenue grown, clients won, systems built, and problems solved all count as evidence of commercial judgement.

For women who have taken a career break, this is especially important. A gap on a CV is not a weakness if you can show how you kept your skills current. The Career Change at 40: A Practical Guide for Women page has more on reframing your experience.

3. Use your flexible working rights strategically

Since April 2024, all employees in Great Britain have had the day-one right to request flexible working under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023. You no longer need six months’ service to ask for hybrid hours, compressed hours, part-time arrangements, or flexible start and finish times. Employers must deal with requests in a reasonable manner and can only refuse them for specific statutory reasons.

Understanding this changes how you apply. You can now lead with your preferred working pattern in negotiations rather than waiting until you have proved yourself. ACAS guidance from 2024 sets out the process employers must follow.

4. Refresh your interview and salary negotiation skills

Interview technique is a skill you can practise, not a talent you are born with. Prepare structured answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and rehearse out loud with a friend or coach. Pay particular attention to questions about career breaks, redundancy, or self-employment, as these still come up more often for women.

Negotiation matters too. The ONS reported that the median gender pay gap for full-time employees was 7.7% in April 2024. While the gap has narrowed over the long term, entering a role at the right salary is one of the most effective ways to protect your lifetime earnings. Before you negotiate, know the market rate for the role, the value of your experience, and your minimum acceptable figure. Practice saying the number out loud so it does not sound apologetic when it matters.

5. Stay visible in your professional community

Many roles are filled before they are advertised. Building a visible professional presence helps you access this hidden market. Update your LinkedIn profile with a clear headline, a recent photo, and a summary that says what you do and what you are looking for. Engage with posts from people in your target sector and attend industry events or women in business networks.

You do not need to post every day. A single thoughtful comment on a relevant post, or a short article sharing something you learned, can be enough to keep you on people’s radar.

If you are self-employed, visibility is also how you win clients. The same habits that make you employable, writing, speaking, networking, and sharing your expertise, also make you more credible as a business owner. See also ONS: Self-Employed Women Over 50 on the Rise for more on this growing trend.

Action steps

• Check gov.uk/skills-bootcamps for a funded course that matches your target sector.
• Update your CV and LinkedIn profile with three quantified achievements from the last two years.
• Practise three STAR-format answers to common interview questions out loud.
• Research the going rate for your target role using ONS or industry salary data before your next interview.
• Join one professional network or attend one industry event in the next 30 days.

Making yourself more employable is not about becoming someone else. It is about presenting your existing skills, closing small gaps, and understanding the UK rules that now work in your favour.