Erica’s story:
(Erica is a 15-year Wall Street veteran who had taken a long career break):
“After 9 years out of the corporate world raising my family, I interviewed intensely for months with several financial services firms, only to have each job filled by an internal person who was about to lose his/her job. So I decided to switch angles. I volunteered for Resources for Children with Special Needs as a Parent Educator (I have a special needs child myself, and they had been extremely helpful to me in the past), and after the agency received additional funding they offered me the choice of a full-time or part-time job as a Parent Educator. I opted for a part-time position, since my youngest still requires homework attention and transportation to after-school activities, and the agency was willing to accommodate me. At Resources, I work with parents and conduct workshops. Recently, I've been busy giving presentations about the agency at Department of Education fairs and conferences. I never thought I would end up in this field. However, I find it extremely rewarding and love the flexibility.”
Strategy: Volunteer for an organization you like. When a paid position opens up, you’ll be well-positioned to get hired.
Martine’s story:
(Martine worked in the financial services industry for almost 10 years prior to becoming a career counselor and career coach five years ago)
“After running my own career counseling and coaching business, I have accepted a position with a university career office focusing on MBA students as a career consultant and program director. I’ll work four days a week during the fall and winter recruiting seasons and 2-3 days a week during late spring, summer and holidays. It’s pretty flexible and fits my needs at this time. I got the job by simply emailing the director my resume. I wasn't responding to an ad or posting. I just researched them and thought I would be a good match. It turns out, they were actually expanding the office without advertising, called me a week later for a phone interview, invited me in for a face-to-face, and then offered me a job right then and there. It was a unique situation, but I’m certainly glad I took the initiative to contact them.”
Strategy: Research organizations you’re interested in. Pinpoint the department where you think you’re a fit, and email the department head a brief cover letter, along with your resume. This strategy works more often than you might think, but is best suited to targeting smaller companies, nonprofits and educational institutions.
Note: The names and university mentioned have been changed for
privacy reasons.
Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the
co-authors of the acclaimed career reentry book Back on the Career
Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work
, and the co-founders of iRelaunch , a company that produced
career reentry programming, events, and content for employers,
universities, organizations and individuals. Download our webinar
on LinkedIn . If you’re on career break in the Tri-State area,
register for our Career Relaunch Forum October 29,
2009 at Seton Hall University in South Orange , NJ
. Carol and Vivian can be reached at info@iRelaunch.com.
