Advice and resources for your return to work.
Returning to the workforce after a career break is a journey. Some returners choose to hire a guide (called a “career coach”) to help with the self-exploration and preparation needed to start and get going. Others choose to join a community to tackle the ups and downs and ins and outs of a job search together. And some take a do-it-yourself approach to returning to work.
Wherever you are, Path Forward’s goal as a nonprofit is to offer helpful resources for your new path forward. Our mission is to empower people to restart their careers after time spent focused on providing care for kids, family, self, or others.
We provide practical articles on our blog, quarterly educational webinars, the Path Forward Community of fellow job seekers, and – crucially – returnship opportunities that lead to jobs. View our FAQ: What Are Returnships? for answers to many questions.
Below are our top resources by topic.
Getting Started
- Top 10 Tips to Restart Your Career in 2023 [article]
- New Year, New Job, New You! [recording]
- How to Prepare Your Family (and Yourself!) for Your Return to Work [article]
Self-Assessment
- Figuring Out Your Motivations for Returning to Work [article]
- Can’t Decide on a Post-Break Career? These 9 Strategies Can Help [article]
- Write Your Next Job Description [article]
- What Should My Salary Expectations Be When Returning to Work? [article]
Create a Plan
- How to Build a Job Search Routine That Works for You [article]
- 3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hire a Career Coach [article]
- 5 Ways Volunteering Will Help Your Job Search [article]
Returnships
- FAQ: What Are Returnships?
- Returnships 101 [recording]
Career Pivots
- Strategies for Making a Career Pivot [recording]
- Pivot Potential: Is Changing Your Career the Best Way to Restart It? [recording]
Skills
- Translating Non-Work Experience Into Business Language [article]
- These Soft Skills Were Crucial to My Success | Real Advice from Returners [article]
- A Returner’s Guide to Updating Your Skills [recording]
- How to Showcase Your Technical Skills and Stand Out as a Job Seeker [article]
Your Elevator Pitch and Returner Story
- The Elevator Pitch: How to Make Yours Pitch Perfect [article]
- Telling Your Story When You’ve Been on a Career Break [article]
Resumes and Cover Letters
- Revamping Your Resume [recording]
- How to Represent Your Career Gap on Your Returnship Resume (With Example) [article]
- Writing a Resume After More Than a Few Years Out of the Workforce [article]
- 4 Tips for a Great Cover Letter (article)
Networking, LinkedIn, and References
- Networking and LinkedIn Strategies for Returners [recording]
- Networking Not Your Thing? (Hint: You’re Already Doing It) [article]
- How to Network Without Feeling Icky [article]
- Leveraging LinkedIn [recording]
- Should You Call Out Your Career Break on LinkedIn? [article]
- Tips for Asking for Recommendations from Your Networking on LinkedIn [article]
- How to Find Professional References If You Don’t Have Recent Work Experience [article]
Applying for Jobs
- I Don’t Check Every Box on the Job Description. Should I Apply Anyway? [article]
- Job Boards Are Where Dreams Go to Die [article]
Interviews
- 3 Essential Tips for Talking About Your Career Gap [article]
- Behavioral Interview Strategies for Returners [recording]
- Master Behavioral Interview Questions with the STAR Method [article]
- What to Do Before, During, and After an Interview [article]
- 7 Tips for a Successful Video Interview [article]
- Doing Informational Interviews the Right Way [article]
- The Returner’s Guide to Preparing for a Technical Interview [Oct 19 webinar]