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…
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…
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…
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…
If you’ve had a long professional career, followed by a sizable break from the workforce, you might be worried about facing ageism in interviews, often hidden behind terms like “overqualified.” We wish we could tell you that it doesn’t happen, but it does. A lot. It’s frustrating to face. Ageism, like other -isms, is a structural issue that we need to collectively work to dismantle. In the meantime, there is…
Hello, summer! Sunshine, iced tea, and sleeveless tees. Is it really time to start thinking about fall? Why yes it is! For many caregivers, the end of the school year and beginning of summer is a time to re-charge and re-set. And, as the rhythms of your week changes, this may also be the perfect time to look ahead and get prepared to return to work in the fall. “Many…
Financial security should be a big part of the equation when women consider a return to work, says Kathryn Sollmann, author of Ambition Redefined: Why the Corner Office Doesn’t Work for Every Woman & What to Do Instead. She suggests thinking about work and compensation in a way that’s likely very different from when you were in your 20s and first starting out. In a Q&A with Path Forward, Kathryn…
As you prepare to return to work, old professional colleagues can be a great source for support, networking, and advice. But if you’ve been on a career break for a while, you might have lost touch with many in your old professional network. And the more time that has passed since you’ve talked, the more apprehension you might be feeling about reaching back out. First, think about how you felt…
When you’re looking to restart your career, you definitely need to be prepared to spend time on your job search quest. The best way to do this is by building and then keeping a routine. It’s not about applying to as many jobs as possible in one day, but creating consistency. Think of it like exercise — it’s much better to work out more frequently across most days of the…
Tired of having to search through multiple company sites or random lists to find a returnship that’s current and relevant? We’ve got you! Introducing Path Forward’s new Returnship Matcher! This eagerly anticipated directory is the one-and-only source for EVERY returnship program in the US. You can use this free one-stop tool to find paid return-to-work opportunities that meet your criteria at companies nationwide. What does it include? We’ve aggregated information…
