Informational interviews are casual meetings where you scope out potential jobs and learn activities in your industry. Depending on the connection, you may be able to get advice on your career path. The important thing about informational interviews is that you’re letting people know you’re on the job market and are looking for details to help you in your search. So you’ve scored an informational interview with an amazing person…
Video interviews have become a standard part of the hiring process, and often used at any stage of the process. If you’ve been away from the workforce for a few years, the technology may feel intimidating. The good news is that it’s never been easier to prepare and shine on camera. Here is our advice for how to put your best (virtual) foot forward! 1. Find your space and manage…
Going back to work after a career break is a big change for you and your entire family. Whether you’re just starting your job search or preparing for your first day in a new role, planning ahead can make the transition smoother and far less stressful. Here are five ways to set your family up for success. 1. Get the Whole Family Involved A new job means new routines at…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
You’ve heard about them on TV. You’ve read about them in the news. They’re returnships, and they’re here to stay. Returnships offer a path back into the paid workforce for those on career breaks and are becoming more popular with employers and returners alike – and with good reason. Here are five reasons why returnships are great for society. 1. Returnships promote diversity in the workplace and begin to address…
