Linnet Kwok, Project Manager at Women Back to Work

Linnet Kwok is a returner, a triathlete, a mom of two grown boys, and a seasoned professional with an international background in the recruiting industry. As a project manager for Women Back to Work, she is responsible for growing the WBW corporate partnerships and develop a trusting relationship with hiring managers to bring immediate impact on their Diversity & Inclusion goals.

Let’s get to know Linnet, up close.

Linnet, can I describe you are a superwoman? You ride 100 miles on the weekend and show up to work on Monday like a boss, you defy ageism. What is your secret mantra?

Self-discipline is the word. I try to stay active mentally and physically. I am passionate about staying fit and giving back to the community. I am an active Rotarian. As far as interests and hobbies, I have many and it is hard to pick one. But you can most likely find me cycling or hiking. I also like to keep myself professionally updated and I am currently taking the Project Management Professional exam. And if I have some spare time, I sneak my workouts in.

You are a fitness enthusiast, a mom, a dog mom, and an active Rotary member. Give us a sneak peek of your life.

I have two grown boys, 25 & 23. Both are artists. My oldest is a photographer and in grad school studying film. My youngest wants to be a creative artist in the gaming industry. He is an art student in Hollywood. I have two dogs, they are 17 and 11. I adopted both and one came with me from China. I have an elderly father whom I try to visit 2-3 times a week. Fortunately, he is healthy and lives by himself. It is hard to make time for everything and maybe that is why I don’t sleep much. 

Tell us a little bit about you as a returner who moved continents.

I was a trailing spouse who moved to China from the US with my two young boys. Before that I was a financial controller working in Silicon Valley, earning a comfortable salary. Once the boys were settled in school and their new environment, I then focused on how to relaunch my career. I thought to myself ‘What can I do in this new country?’

How did you deal with the challenges of a career change? And how was your return to work journey?

I had to keep an open mind and be flexible to the opportunities in this new country. I had no friends nor network when I landed and did not speak the dialect at the time, I had to start from scratch. I started by enrolling in a Mandarin language class and started to apply for different jobs that would take a foreigner who spoke broken Mandarin. I also joined different expatriate groups to build my network. Long story short, after 16 years in China, I now speak fluent Mandarin, I had a successful career in the recruitment industry and was active in Rotary Service.

Coming to my favorite question, what would your piece of advice be for those returning to work?

One must be well prepared to re-enter the workforce. There is a lot of work. Start networking and revise your resume. It takes many iterations and various versions. Practice interview, script out your answers, it helps with the thought process. Find opportunities to upskill, volunteer, and stay up to date as much as possible with the jobs that you are looking for. Never give up. Each rejection is a learning experience.