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…
Let’s talk about something that’s been around forever in the job search world: the elevator pitch. Yes, that little 30-second speech about who you are, what you do (or did), and what you’re looking for next. This quick introduction might sound simple, but nailing it ensures you make a strong first impression. So does your elevator pitch need a refresh, or do you feel unsure when introducing yourself? Use the…
There’s no sugarcoating the fact that the current job market is challenging. With companies hiring more cautiously and more candidates competing for jobs, it’s easy for those returning to the workforce to feel discouraged. If you’ve applied for dozens of roles (or more!) and haven’t heard anything back, you are not alone. This moment demands resilience. By this, we don’t mean you should pretend things aren’t hard. We mean you…
Here at Path Forward, we receive a lot of questions about resumes. While the answers to each of these questions differs from case to case, there are a few fundamental principles that remain consistent in how you present yourself and your work: 1. The resume is a marketing tool that is meant to showcase your relevant work experience (including unpaid work), degrees, and certifications to make the case that you…
Stacia joined Wells Fargo at the end of 2024 after successfully completing the Wells Fargo Glide – Relaunch USA returnships in the fall. She joined as a Senior Business Execution Consultant in Global Operations and has been loving her time back after 8 years out of the paid workforce. What type of work did you do before stepping away from the workforce? Before stepping away from the workforce, I worked…
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…
If you are a caregiver it’s easy to feel like your career may have taken a backseat to other responsibilities. Yet, the truth is, caregiving can foster critical, transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace. When you return to your career, these skills can provide an advantage, positioning you as a unique and resilient candidate. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the skills that are honed…
If you’re a caregiver who’s been out of the workforce for a while, first off, kudos to you! Caring for loved ones is a huge commitment and requires a lot of heart and hard work. But now that you’re thinking about diving back into the job market, you might be considering learning new skills or refreshing old ones to boost your employability. It’s a great idea, but like anything, it…
Restarting your career can be a daunting journey. And like any journey, it’s best to take one step at a time. We’ve assembled the best advice from the Path Forward alumni community on how to restart your career. Whether you’ve taken time away to focus on caring for your kids, your family, or yourself, these tried and tested strategies will help you navigate the way back to work after a…
by Jessica Taylor, Senior Recruiter at Unanet In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world taking a career break is becoming more common. Whether it’s for raising a family, caring for a loved one, or facing any of the many challenges life can bring, taking a step away from your career is not only valid, but it can be a powerful part of your career story. Several companies are realizing the value…
