Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in – and presenting at – the 

Sometimes being the boss feels like being the a parent.  Especially if you hae been out of the workforce awhile and are returning to a much younger crowd.  It seems like you need to tell everyone how to play nicely.

Being in the market for a job can be challenging, frustrating, exciting and crazy all at the same time.  We all know that networking is the #1, most successful way to find a job - the right job.  Yet, despite this fact, we ALL read job postings?  Why?

After being out of the workforce for a few years, the tendency (or safe route) is to create a blockbuster resume and pursue a career path that mirrors your career PRIOR to leaving.  Because you actually performed these JOBS/ROLES, you feel qualified.

But what if you don't WANT the same job?  Can you still find a satisfying job - CAREER - without starting over?

Of course.

Sometimes, after working a few years (and even before!) we wonder if we are pursuing the right path.  We think "should I have taken different courses in college" or "should I have taken this role in a different industry" or - yikes! - "do I need to start over"?

Do you often look at the calendar and wonder how you’re going to get it all done? As a single mom of twin 15-year-old boys, I’m fairly adept at juggling life…work meetings, orthodontist appointments, basketball games or whatever else gets thrown my way.  In my new role as a consultant, however, I have the added twist of overnight travel. Recently, I was away from my family on business to NYC, Fort Worth and San Francisco over a two-week period.  The juggling act felt more like a circus act gone awry and my household had a bit of a meltdown...to say the least!

"Me" time, my time, mom's night out, girl's night out, mommy time or just a plain 'ole time out can be difficult to find.  But, if we are honest with ourselves, we CAN find the time.

The problem isn't really FINDING the time.  It is USING it.

Unfortunately, this happens.  Ugh.

Despite our best efforts, employers do lie.  And people can get caught in a web that impacts both their professional and personal lives.

When returning to work - after a few years at home - some employers (unfortunately) cringe at the thought of hiring someone who has been out of the workforce.  If you apply for a job and hear "well, you have been out of the game for awhile", you might cringe yourself.  

Ouch.

How do you handle this?

First, take a few steps back.  Before applying, get ready.  You want to be able to effectively and efficiently address this question.

Preparation and Goal Setting

As a professional, when I got pregnant I realized for the first time that this playing field we call life isn't equal after all. It was a nasty lesson to learn - especially when all I wanted to do was be psyched about being a new mom. Instead I found myself having to combat the perception that I would be less committed to my career and my clients and in fact lots of folks wondered if I'd throw in the towel altogether and stay home after the baby was born. Weird, huh?