Success Story: Stephanie Vidales

Stephanie Vidales took a two and a half year break from her HR career to care for her family. When she was ready to return to work, Stephanie decided to try pivoting into IT support. She completed a returnship at Akin Gump, and now works there full-time as an IT Support Specialist. Stephanie talks about her return-to-work experience, how Akin Gump’s robust support and training helped her career transition, and…

The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Resume Writer

One question we’re often asked is “Should I hire a professional resume writer?” No wonder! A well-polished resume is a key marketing tool for your return to work. Ideally it showcases your relevant work experience (both paid and unpaid), degrees, and certifications, and demonstrates that you’re qualified for the position you’re applying for. It’s also the first and lasting impression you’ll make on the recruiter or talent acquisition specialist who’s…

Tips to Prepare for Your Career Restart

While on a career break, what are the best ways to prepare for your eventual restart? Kathryn Sollmann, author of Ambition Redefined: Why the Corner Office Doesn’t Work for Every Woman & What to Do Instead, shares her insights in a Q&A with Path Forward. Q: How do you recommend addressing career gaps on a resume? Should the reason for the gap be stated or not? I’m in the “honesty…

[Recording] Networking & LinkedIn Strategies for Returners

Recording Watch a recording of this July 19, 2023 webinar to learn how to network on LinkedIn from noted career expert J.T. O’Donnell of Work It Daily. You’ll discover how to create a great LinkedIn profile as part of your overall networking strategy. You’ll also learn different options for presenting your career gap and the pros and cons of each. Walk away from this one-hour program with practical advice and…

Writing a Resume After More Than a Few Years Out of the Workforce

One question we are often asked is how do I write a resume when I haven’t worked, professionally, for years. And it’s tough because most “how to deal with a resume gap” advice is aimed at people who have been out of work for several months, not years. So here’s a high-level guide to writing a resume when you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time and are…

4 Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence When Job Searching

As a return to work and leadership coach, I have coached hundreds of individuals returning to paid work after a career pause. In my experience, one of the most common hurdles to overcome is a lack of self-confidence. A lack of confidence often arises in situations where the outcome is uncertain, you are trying something new (or that you haven’t done in a long time), or you are taking on…

Recommended Job Search Resources: Staff Picks 2023

Do you have a favorite job search resource? We polled the Path Forward staff and these are our current favorite websites, apps, tools, books, and more. They’re listed below in alphabetical order. Check them out for something new, different, or fun to get things done, keep organized, and stay motivated on your job search and return-to-work journey. If you have a favorite resource to share, let us know! Alison Recommended…