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…
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…
When it comes to returning to the workforce, many job-seekers ask the same thing: “How do I stand out?” While you can and should practice telling your story, consider that to be just one piece of your return-to-work strategy. Showcasing your skills online, rather than just talking about them, is a great way to create a compelling case for yourself. Creating and curating online content gives your skills new life…
Shruti asks: How do you justify your career gap during your time as a full-time mom, and how do you bring it up during job interviews? Tami: First of all, you don’t need to justify or apologize for taking time to care for your family! When you talk about your time out of the workforce you should be simple and direct, skip any unnecessary details (the interviewer does not need…
Alexandra asks: How do I ask for recommendations on LinkedIn? I feel awkward reaching out to my network, especially after a long time. Tami: Well, the first thing I would say is that I would not start out by asking for a recommendation after a long time. I’d instead try to re-establish a connection by asking them for a call to reconnect and get advice. People we’ve worked with and…
Laura asks: As someone with a long career but a sizable break, I worry about facing ageism in interviews. In particular, how should I answer the “overqualified” question? Tami: I get asked about ageism a lot and I wish I could tell you that it doesn’t happen, but it does. A lot. Ageism is a structural issue that we should collectively work to dismantle. And, while I’m on a soapbox,…
Gabrielle asks: It can be hard to stay upbeat when you don’t get a job after many attempts and applications submitted. What can I do to stay motivated? Tami: Oh, wow! I wish I had an easy answer for this one. It is hard! So first of all, know that it’s hard. I think one problem people run into is hoping it will be easy which actually creates a bit…
Every person who steps foot in a job interview has a career story to tell, weaving together the strands of where they’ve worked, what they’re doing now, and where they’re looking to go next. If you’re applying for a job or returnship after a career break, your story is probably going to be a bit different from a traditional candidate’s story. You might think that puts you at a disadvantage,…
The official Path Forward networking motto is, “who you know is what you know.” Networking is a key part not just to landing a new job, but figuring out what job you’d like to do in the first place. Talking with friends, old colleagues, classmates, and acquaintances can broaden your perspective on what the job market looks like, what skills are in demand, and the different roles that exist in…
