What Every Returner Ought to Know About Community

Job searching is no fun. It’s a lot of work and for all that effort, you may get ghosted or rejected outright. Noone wants that. “The job search can feel very lonely, very difficult, and very discouraging,” says Emily Askri, program manager at Path Forward. “It’s especially hard when you’re on that journey alone.” But here’s some great, research-backed news: there’s something super simple you can do to make your…

[Recording] Spotlight on the Wells Fargo Glide – Relaunch Program, Fall 2023

Recording Watch a recording of this June 15, 2023 webinar to learn about the Wells Fargo Glide – Relaunch Program for Fall 2023. Resources View or download the slides from this webinar. Ready to apply? Check the Wells Fargo page on Path Forward to see job links for 50+ returnship opportunities once applications open on June 20.

What’s Different About Working Now Compared to When I Was in the Workplace?

Has it been awhile since you last went into an office? If so, you may be wondering how things are different since you previously worked full-time. Many returners in the Path Forward community, for example, are coming off of career breaks of two years, five years, or ten years or more. A lot has changed! Rest assured, though, that your life and job experiences provide you with a solid foundation…

Stuck In Your Job Search? How to Keep Going.

I’m a big fan of Patty Azzarello, a writer and executive coach. I find her advice really helpful. Much of it comes out of her experience in large organizations, but it’s often applicable to people working in companies of all sizes. One memorable blog post was about how to win a big promotion and, as usual, it has a lot of good advice. But that’s not why I’m sharing it…

Pivoting is Possible | Real Advice From Returners

As you think about returning to work, you may end up deciding that your previous career field is no longer the one for you. Maybe you worked in an industry that has become obsolete or your motivations have changed or you simply want to do something different. A fresh start may be exactly what you want and need! We call this “pivoting” and while it adds an extra layer to…

Figuring Out Your Motivations for Returning to Work

When people come to me for advice on restarting their careers, I always start with the same question: “Why do you want to go back to work?” There are a lot of ways to return to work. The path (pun intended) you choose may well depend on what your primary motivation is for returning. Having talked to hundreds of people looking to restart their careers, I can say that there…

Top 5 Rules for Job Interview Follow Up and ‘Thank You’ Notes

We frequently get questions about following up after a job interview — usually something along the lines of “How often is too often to check in?” or “How long should I wait before following up on a job application?” Mostly, candidates seem concerned about being too aggressive in contacting recruiters or hiring managers. But in reality, a lack of follow up seems to be a bigger issue. I was shocked…

Should I Apply for Returnships or Regular Jobs or Both? Top 5 Returnship Advantages

A frequent question we get at Path Forward is: “Should I apply for returnships instead of applying for regular jobs?” Ultimately, only you can decide the best way to restart your career! We know, though, that many people with a career break find it’s difficult to be considered for full-time positions. The road back can be a steep one when you have a resume gap. Because returnships are purpose-built for…

Success Story: Sherri Ruhl

Sherri Ruhl took a break from her career as the director of technology at the Houston Symphony when she had her second child. After a 16-year gap for childcare, eldercare, and many family moves, Sherri felt ready to return to the workforce. After learning about returnships, Sherri applied for and completed a returnship at Trimble, where she now works full-time as a business analyst. She talks about her return-to-work experience,…

Straight Talk About Time Management for Job Seekers

How much time do we really have? Laura Vanderkam, noted author on time management and productivity, believes in rethinking the concept of how much time we have in the day, both for work and family responsibilities and for doing the things we enjoy. In a Q&A with Tami Forman, Laura talks about how returners can prioritize their job search, how to reduce the “mental load” we often carry, and which…