Kristen asks: My career break is long (more than 15 years). How can I market myself as relevant and able to pick up new things? Do my volunteer and caregiving experiences count for anything? We get asked this question often. Before I answer I want you to take some inspiration from the many women who’ve successfully restarted their careers after a break of more than 10 years — Alicia, Cathy,…
2021 is almost upon us! This past year has been especially tough for caregivers and parents, and even though there’s no particular magic to January 1, the beginning of the year still gives you a chance to make a fresh start in your personal life and your career. And it is a great time to look for a new job, because it’s the most popular time for companies to post…
Mira asks: LinkedIn requests for networking haven’t necessarily worked out for me. How can I connect with people I’m interested in networking with if I don’t have any common connections? Tami: Hi, Mira! Well, getting people who don’t know you to connect to you is hard. It helps to be concise but also to state clearly what you hope to gain from the conversation. But people are busy and wary,…
Allison asks: What is the best way to get over the fear of reaching out to old colleagues, especially if you haven’t spoken in a long time? Tami: The first thing I want you to think about is how you felt the last time someone reached out to you after a very long time. Assuming they were someone you were fond of, I bet you were delighted to hear from…
This year is definitely testing our ability to find gratitude. It’s been a hard year. But it’s also offering us a chance to appreciate the many good things we have, and especially to appreciate the people in our lives who make all that we do a little better, a little easier, a little more meaningful. At Path Forward, here are the people we are grateful for, this year and every…
Debra asks: What type of soft skills are most needed in today’s workforce, and going forward? Tami: I’m so glad someone asked this question! We get so many questions about very specific technical skills — and very rarely does anyone ask about soft skills. And guess what — a lot of times what stands in the way of success at work can be put into the category of soft skills!…
Supreet asks: The biggest challenge with a career restart is the tech changes, and that all jobs require tech skills. What is the best way to know which tech skills are relevant to which industry, and how can one gain them? Tami: This is a great question! There are a few ways to figure out what skills are in demand. Study job descriptions: Read through the “skills required” section of…
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize everyone who devotes themselves to taking care of family members. This year’s theme is #CaregivingInCrisis, because the pandemic has complicated an already tough task, and we salute caregivers who are currently raising school-age children amidst confusing back-to-school schedules, assisting aging parents while staying socially distant, and/or caring for a sick family member in the middle of a public health crisis.…
Ritz asks: What if you have matured in your vision for yourself and your career path in the years you took a break, to an extent where you see yourself capable of much more than what will likely be offered to you due to a break? Tami: When job searching — with or without a break — the best strategy is to assume nothing. Don’t assume you won’t be offered…
Barbara asks: What is realistic regarding salary expectations when we are trying to re-enter the workforce? Aside from one’s own financial considerations, how much is too much when you are asked to go significantly below your previous level? Tami: Salary questions are tricky because there are so many factors that go into salary offers. And it tends to be an emotional topic, which can further complicate things. Figure out what…
