There are so many factors that go into the salary that comes with a job offer. Evaluating that salary can also be an emotional experience, which can further complicate things. Especially when you’re trying to re-enter the workforce and reestablish your professional worth, navigating salary negotiations can be tricky. How do you create realistic salary expectations for yourself? And what do you do if asked to take a job significantly…
You just submitted an application for a job you’re really excited about. Congratulations! But as the days go by, your patience starts to thin waiting for a response. So what should you do? Follow up with the employer, of course! That said, it matters a great deal how you follow up, so here are our recommendations for how to do it successfully. Double check the job description before taking action.…
It’s fairly common for people to return to work after a career break through project-based work, consulting, or returnship programs. Because of the temporary or time-bound nature of these kinds of positions, we often hear how anxious people are about whether or not they’re on a path to success. This anxiety seems to be centered on what may be a narrow definition of success – will this company offer me…
You’ve been gaining new skills throughout your career break. Many of those skills and experiences are valuable in the workforce. But how do you translate those experiences in a way that recruiters and hiring managers will understand? The better you are able to articulate how your experiences have helped you develop skills that are valuable to a business, the more likely you are to persuade a potential employer that you…
Interviews are probably top of mind as you start your return to work journey. They can be a stressful experience for anyone, but maybe even more so after a career break because you’re wondering how to discuss your employment gap. How do you explain your reasons for taking a career break? How much detail should you go into about the circumstances behind your break? It can be nerve-wracking to put…
Recording If you haven’t had a job interview in awhile, you may be surprised when you get asked what are called “behavioral interview” questions. These are questions that ask you to describe how you handled a past job situation in a way that concisely conveys your impact. This can be hard to do and preparation is key! Watch a recording of this July 20, 2022 webinar to: discover how employers use the behavioral interview…
Job searching after you’ve been out of the workforce for several years is daunting. You quickly find out how much things have changed. One thing that may be new to you, for example, is the concept of returnships. Returnships bridge the gap between employers and highly qualified returners. They are supportive hiring programs that offer a pathway for mid-career professionals to return to the workforce and gain new skills and…
The end of summer and start of a new school year feels like a fresh start for everyone. The kids are older now – maybe your youngest is beginning full-day kindergarten. Or the oldest is off to college. Or your teen or preteen is super busy with activities. What about you? The back-to-school season is when many stay-at-home moms and dads begin to think about their own next steps. Maybe…
You’d think that back to school would mean a big sigh of relief. As we’ve written before, a summer strategy is needed for those yawning weeks when the usual childcare arrangements (generally known as school) suddenly disappear and parents across the land scramble to keep the kids safe and occupied. While it certainly solves a lot of problems to have the kids back in school, those first weeks can present…
A brand-name employer we work with was hoping to hire more sales consultants for their IT services division. “You know,” the hiring manager said. “Some of our most successful employees are former teachers.” The manager had noticed something: these former teachers — because of their experience working with students, parents, and administrators — had exceptional skills in understanding and adapting to the needs of different customers. Put another way, the…
