When women come to me for advice on restarting their careers I always start with 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 women looking to restart their careers I can say that there are…
When it comes to job interviews, there are a lot of reasons why you might be out of practice. Some people are fortunate enough to have held a job for years, and haven’t had a need to interview. But for many of our readers, taking a career break to care for loved ones might mean it’s been awhile since you’ve have an interview. Regardless of the circumstances around why you’ve…
You’ve embarked on job hunt armed with a personal arsenal of job application resources, like an updated resume, tailored cover letter, and stellar interview tactics, but there’s one crucial component of the job search process that’s often overlooked: professional references. Companies rely on professional references to verify your skill set and to get an outsider’s opinion of how you perform in a workplace environment. These recommendations can also create an…
Job interviews are tough for most people, and it can feel especially daunting to go on an interview after you’ve taken a break from the workforce. Depending on the length of your career break, and how long you were working before you stepped away, it has probably been a long time since you’ve been the subject of a job interview. The good news is there are specific steps you…
Those who’ve been out of the workforce for a few years often find taking a course or two aimed at refreshing your skills can be helpful, especially if you’ve worked in the tech sector. Technology surrounding computer programming and web development can change rapidly. Taking a course can give you a boost of confidence and demonstrates to prospective employers your eagerness to learn new skills. The good news is that…
Returning to the workforce often requires a pivot, and in her new book, Fearless and Free: How Smart Women Pivot and Relaunch their Careers, Wendy Sachs digs into issues that can hold women back and talks to a wide range of women who faced down fears, roadblocks and failures to reinvent themselves. It’s an inspiring read for women, particularly those who’ve taken a pause in their career, and we asked…
It’s commonly mentioned that the work that women do outside the paid workforce when they’ve taken a pause for caregiving gains them skills and experiences that are valuable in the professional environment as well. But it’s less common to find good advice on how to translate those experiences in a way that recruiters and hiring managers will understand. The better you are able to articulate how your experiences have gained…
In my house, the “Back to School” checklist for fall starts before my kids have even finished the current school year. When I notice the sneakers are worn out, the sweaters have all gotten too small, and that backpack strap has finally given out on us, I know it’s time to start planning for September. And with a fall game plan ready to go in June, I can enjoy the…
At Path Forward, we often recommend that women restarting their careers research the companies they are considering joining. It’s important to understand what the company does, of course, but also its core values and culture. In our hyper connected, social age getting the inside scoop is easier than it’s ever been. You can, of course, look to the official company materials for their view of themselves. You can connect with…
One question that I’m frequently asked is “Does anyone read cover letters? And, if not, do I need to bother with one?” The short answers are it depends and yes. Talk to a bunch of recruiters and pretty soon you will hear the same thing: they don’t read cover letters. But you still need one, and it needs to be customized for each job. The reason is simple: A great…
