• Go back to your old job
• Find a different job with your previous employer
• Find a new job with a new employer
• Go back to school to launch a new career
• Start your own business

Mary Ghilani, Director of Career Services at Luzerne County Community College delves into each of these options in her book 10 Strategies for Reentering the Workforce.  (See previous post on 4/16/11)  I want to focus on the last one — starting your own business.

Isn’t this a terrible time to be doing that?  I mean, we’re in a recession here!  Not so, says Leah Yomtovian Roush with JumpStart Inc. in northeast Ohio, Joicelyn Nelson with the Women’s Business Center in Northern Virginia, and Manar Morales, who teaches entrepreneurship at Georgetown University.  All three believe this is an excellent time to be an entrepreneur.

Why?  Because there are a multitude of tools available today that make it possible for women to succeed.  Topping the list is the internet, which makes it easy for women to research a business idea, assess the competition, and connect with others to find support, whether emotional or financial.

And there are organizations to which women can turn for help.  To name a few:  Astia, Golden Seeds, Women 2.0, Springboard Enterprises, JumpStart Inc., Score, and a network of nearly 100 Women’s Business Centers around the country.  These organizations provide expert advice and support, training, and seed money.

More successful women-owned businesses means good things for the ailing economy.

“Research indicates that if women were to fully participate in high-growth entrepreneurship,” according to the Astia website, “we would see a significant and measurable benefit to the economy, innovation, and society.”

Which leads Morales to conclude, “It’s a necessary time for women to be out there and starting their own businesses.”

For advice and insight on entrepreneurship, listen to my conversation with Roush, Nelson, and Morales on Back in Force on BlogTalkRadio from 11/2/11.

–LeeAnn Dance

Guest post by Mary Ghilani, Director of Career Services at Luzerne County Community College in Pennsylvania

I recently read an article by Allison Doyle on About.com, about the growing number of employers posting ads that refuse to consider unemployed workers, regardless of their qualifications. Some of the ads boldly state, “Only candidates who are currently employed as a (blank) will be considered,” or “Must be currently employed in a (blank) profession for at least the past 12 consecutive months.”

This is disturbing on several levels. Not only is it unfair and bad for the economy, but more relevant to this blog, it also discriminates against parents who have taken breaks from their career to raise their children.

How can employers get away with this? Because it’s not considered discrimination.  At least, not yet.  And, in today’s economy, there are simply too many other applicants to choose from.

The good news is that Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), have introduced the Fair Employment Opportunity Act to prohibit employers from refusing to consider unemployed applicants.

While this is all well and good, the fact of the matter remains that the negative stereotype of being “unemployed” still persists among employers. When you’re employed, you’re seen as valuable, but if you’re unemployed, there must be something wrong with you. Hence, the old adage, “It’s easier to find a job when you have a job.”

Not working, or being “between jobs,” is automatically going to raise a red flag among employers.  In some cases, they may be right. That’s why it’s important to dispel any red flags by stating in the cover letter your reason for being out of work — and what you have done in the meantime to stay current in your field.

This brings me to another issue that commonly faces parents and even new college graduates who delay entry into their career field because of prior obligations: the perception of being “stale” in your field.

I recently worked with a nursing alumnus who took care of ill family members for two years after graduation. When Julie came to see me, the situation had resolved itself, and she was ready to re-enter the workforce. But when Julie began applying for jobs, she got little or no response. Luckily for her, a nursing recruiter finally explained that because Julie had been out of the nursing field for two years, her skills were perceived as “dated.” Although Julie felt her skills were as sharp as ever, she was perceived as being stale by others in the marketplace. Long story short, Julie enrolled in a couple of refresher courses at our community college. Although she wanted to work in a hospital setting, she took a part-time, temporary position with a nursing staffing agency to regain the impression she was up-to-date and employable. Eventually she landed a second shift position at a local hospital.

If you were in a field like technology or health care where changes occur daily and skills deteriorate without use, you need to combat the perception that you are “out of date.” Consider doing the following while you are staying at home raising your children:

• Take a refresher course at your local college or a professional organization.
• Obtain an advanced degree or certification to demonstrate your relevancy in the field.
• Volunteer, work part-time, or on a per diem or temporary basis to gain some current experience.
• When the age of your children permits, try to stay current with the issues in your field, if only belonging to a professional “group” on LinkedIn. Demonstrate continued growth, learning, and achievements to fill the gap on your resume.

Are you contemplating a return to the work force after a career break but unsure how to do it?  Do you wonder if you need to take some classes to update your skills?  Or maybe you’re thinking about an entirely new career.

These are questions a career coach can help you resolve.  But career coaches can be pricey, and you may not want to spend much money at this point.  Consider a free or low-cost alternative — the career services center at your local community college.  Most community colleges offer career services to the general public — not just enrolled students.  Surprised?  You’re not alone.

“This is a big difference between two-year and four-year colleges,” says Mary Ghilani, Director of Career Services at Luzerne County Community College in Pennsylvania.  “Two-year colleges have a community mission.”

Ghilani, who has a master’s degree in counseling and is a National Certified Counselor, says about 20% of the people she sees are community members.  They receive the same services she offers students:  career assessments, short and long-term career plan development, resume editing, interview skills assistance, and job searches.  And while private career counselors or coaches may charge $60-$100 per hour, Ghilani says her services are free.

Ghilani says that’s the case at most community colleges, though some are beginning to charge a nominal fee of $10-$25 per assessment.

Northern Virginia Community College, the second largest community college in the nation, holds free monthly career workshops to help identify a career path.  Each of its six campuses offers career services unique to that campus’s focus. And the career services specialist at each campus can provide the menu of services and any fees.

“We are here to serve the whole community,” says Dr. Julie Leidig, provost of the Loudoun campus of NOVA.  ”Anyone can walk through our doors and access our services, see a counselor, see an advisor, or get some advice.”

Norma Kent of the American Association of Community Colleges says this is the norm rather than the exception, as community colleges are frequently the hub of a community, particularly in rural or somewhat remote areas.

“As our name indicates, we’re there to serve the community in many, many ways, and I think it’s up to the individual to investigate what is being offered at their local community college.  I think they will find it’s a very rich array of things that will help them to achieve whatever their goal is.”

To find the community college closest to you, visit the Community College Finder on the American Association of Community Colleges website.

The Balancing Act:  Managing Motherhood and Your Career

The Women’s Center is pleased to announce an exciting evening workshop with nationally known journalist and women’s advocate, Kelly Wallace, Chief Correspondent, iVillage, and former CNN and CBS correspondent, and Colleen Smith, professional career coach, therapist, and Human Resources executive who focuses her career on helping women achieve the balance they seek so they can obtain greater satisfaction in their lives.

There is a lot of pressure placed on mothers from society, friends, and family – from the guilt over missing childhood milestones to the pressures of trying to create “perfect children.” Add to this the demands of a high level career, and the combination can be overwhelming. In fact, in a recent joint iVillage/today.com poll of working women, 97% said they feel stressed and tired and over 85% said they feel guilty. Another dimension is the “older” mother, who has postponed starting a family until after her career was well underway. In many cases, she is a top-level corporate manager or executive, balancing demands of a high performance career and family life, combined with other related issues.

This workshop will help senior managers and corporate executives learn how to keep a balanced perspective, filter outside pressure, reduce negative self-messages, and increase motherhood enjoyment. Examine the role of expectation management in creating successful balance between motherhood and your career.

Through this workshop experience, you will:

• Discuss handling competing demands of a senior level career including long hours, travel, and after hour events with being present for your kids
• Understand how stress and resentment can directly impact your relationships
• Learn about approaches taken by other mothers with successfuL careers, including flexible working arrangements, sequencing, entrepreneurship
• Explore ideas for maximizing efficiency at both home and office
• Hear current relevant statistics to inform your decisions as you cultivate your own work-life balance

Date: October 19, 2011

Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm

Location: KPMG Offices

1676 International Drive

McLean, VA 22102

Ticket Price: $90

All proceeds from this event will support The Women’s Center.

Belinda Nanda

Belinda Nanda was a 48-year-old stay-at-home mother of two when she decided it was time to go back to work.  She had just signed up her daughters for ice skating lessons and debated signing up, too.  But that got her thinking.  ”If I had time to take an ice skating class,” Nanda recalled, “I could be going back to work.”

But the former information systems specialist with Andersen Consulting knew she needed to brush up on her skills after 10 years out of the workforce.  She scoured Monster.com to figure out what employers were looking for.  Then she set to work finding a place to teach her those skills.  She debated re-doing her masters from DePaul University but felt that was over-kill.  She looked into the University of Illinois where she could take spot refresher courses without signing up for a degree program, but the commute was long.

“It finally dawned on me that I could go to my local community college,” Nanda says.  ”It’s got an excellent reputation.  They offer a really good range of all those technical skills classes, and the application process couldn’t be easier.  I decided to apply and just take one course and see how it went, and it was great.  It really was.”

Nanda took two classes at nearby Oakton Community College– the first online and the second on campus.  Initially, she worried about heading back to the classroom.

“I thought I would be this older mom sitting there with all these kids,” Nanda says, “but it turned out not to be that way at all.   I saw a big range of ages there, and that was really reassuring.  My professors were about the same age as me, and that was reassuring.”

She also found them to be supportive.

“The professors and the staff at these community colleges,” says Nanda, “I can’t stress enough, they really do want to help their students.”

She even garnered a fresh reference from her second professor — the dean of mathematics and technology.

Another surprise for Nanda — the career services.  Oakton offered help with career counseling, job placement, and internships.

“I thought the internship was a fantastic way to get recent, relevant experience on my resume,” Nanda says, “and the short-term commitment took all the fear out of returning to work.  I didn’t have to make such a strong commitment with an employer and then find out, oops, I had made a mistake and had to start the whole process over again.”

A counselor matched her with an internship at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and after weeks of waiting, she was offered, not the internship, but a permanent part-time position.  She took it.  She now works 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is home in time to meet her girls.  She loves the job, and they love her.  Nanda says her employer often tells her they want more people like her.

“For anyone who wants to go back after a long time and is just even thinking ‘Are employers even going to want me?,’ well, they do.”

After just two semesters, Nanda succeeded in updating her skills, landing a job she really enjoys, and becoming the role model she hoped she could be to her daughters. And she had fun doing it.

“I can’t recommend it enough,” says Nanda.  ”Community colleges allow you to pick up those individual skills that you might need as opposed to re-doing your entire degree.  I had a great experience with it.  I think it shows your seriousness and your desire to do something about the relaunch of your career.”

To hear the full interview with Belinda and my earlier discussion with Dr. Julie Leidig, provost of the Loudoun campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Norma Kent of the American Association of Community Colleges, and Mary Ghilani, Director of Career Services at Luzerne County Community College, click on the player below.  Or read my previous post for more information on the benefits of attending a community college.

What does your local community college have to offer someone hoping to re-enter the work force after a career break??  Plenty.  And probably a whole lot more than you imagined. Affordable tuition is the well-known benefit.  But there’s also small class size, high-quality faculty, individual attention, and career services, to name a few.

Lower Tuition:  The average annual tuition at a community college for the 2010-2011 academic year was $2,713.  The average annual tuition at four-year public institutions was $7,605.  Private schools cost $35,000 or more.

Quality Faculty:  Are you getting the same value as a four-year public or private institution?  You may actually be getting a lot more bang for your buck.

“One thing that’s not always understood,” says Dr. Julie Leidig, provost of the Loudoun campus of Northern Virginia Community College, the second largest community college in the country, “is that community college faculty have to meet the same qualification standards as university faculty do.”  Leidig says most of their faculty have a masters degree or higher, plus practical experience in their field.

Norma Kent of the American Association of Community Colleges says community college faculty are also focussed on teaching, not on research or getting published.

“That’s the primary reason they’re there,” says Kent.  ”They’re very committed to that, and you’re going to find people in general who really want to help the students succeed no matter where they start or where they want to go.”

Class size:  Small classes are one of the major benefits of community colleges.  The average class at a community college has fewer than 30 students.

“Whereas entering many universities, even the finest,” says Dr. Leidig, “a student may spend a couple of years in classes that have several hundred people in them, we don’t have any classes that large at NoVa.  So there’s that factor of really getting one on one interaction with many faculty members.”

Individual Attention:  “We really try to work with each individual student,” says Dr. Leidig.  ”Our focus is on being successful and achieving their goals.  We’re paying more and more attention to that part of our mission.  How do we help more of our students truly be successful in today’s difficult environment?”

Flexibility:  Unlike four-year institutions, which offer classes primarily on weekdays, community colleges also offer classes during evenings and on the weekends.  They are trying to accommodate students who have jobs and families.  And a growing number of classes are offered online.  This should not, however, be a concern that these classes are of poorer quality, according to NOVA’s Dr. Leidig.

“Our online classes are just as structured, if not more more structured, than our face-to-face classes,” Dr. Leidig says, “and you can still do them in  your pajamas at home.  But there are deadines, and it’s not so very different than doing a face-to-face class.”

Refresher Courses:  You can pick and choose from course offerings at community colleges; take a couple of courses or many; and you don’t have to sign up for a degree or certificate program if you don’t want to do so.

“There are so many resources, especially for older students who maybe need to brush up on their skills,” says Dr. Leidig.  ”Community colleges have a breadth and depth of refersher courses, and it often provides a shorter path to employment.”

Career Services:  Many community colleges offer a wealth of career services, help with finding internships, and job placement assistance.  Mary Ghilani is the Director of Career Services at Luzerne County Community College in Pennsylvania.  She says her college puts a lot of emphasis upon these services.  She helps students with career assessment, identifying career options, making career plans, resume editing, interviewing skills, identifying where to look for and find jobs, and how to use online resources.

Older Student Body:  The median age of the community college student is 28.  And the number of older students returning to school is growing.

“Many students, particularly those who’ve been out for awhile are somewhat intimidated by going to a campus, being in a college atmosphere,” says AACC’s Norma Kent.  ”But what they find when they get there, and we hear this story over and over again, is that it’s the best experience I’ve ever had in my life.  And they that they can succeed.”

To find a community college near you, visit the AACC’s website college finder.

And to hear more of my conversation about community college resources with Dr. Julie Leidig, Norma Kent, and Mary Ghilani listen to “Tapping Your Community College Resources” on Back in Force on BlogTalkRadio.

Can you name your values?  You know, the things that are most important to you.  Have you ever really even thought about it?

I hadn’t, really, until I read career coach Julie Cohen’s book “Your Work, Your Life…Your Way.“  Yeah, I could have told you that marriage, family, and honesty were important to me, to name a few off the top of my head.  But I had never really given it much more thought than that.

“Having a clear idea of what your values are and which ones are most important to you can be a very useful key to moving toward your desired work-life balance,” Cohen says.

You don’t have to be wrestling with a 70+ hour work week to desire more work-life balance.  Cohen says most of us want a balanced mix of time between working and not working, even stay-at-home parents, because they, too, can get swept away by chores and time leaks such as emails and phone calls.

If you are contemplating a return to the work force, it’s especially important to understand — and name — your values before jumping into something that might not be a good fit or offer your desired work-life balance.

Cohen offers an extensive list of possible personal values from which you can choose your top ten.  Or not, and come up with your own.  But it’s a great starting point.  Contenders include:  daring, attractiveness, harmony, serenity, and zest.

Cohen keeps her list in her wallet and occasionally pulls it out to see how she’s doing at integrating those values into her daily living.  Or even if those values still matter to her, because, she says, our values shift depending upon where we are in life.  Achievement may matter much more when we don’t have kids than when we do.  Or not.

So I made my list, too.  Here it is:  accomplishment, family, truth, justice, contribution, knowledge, excellence, independence, integrity, and leadership.

Making this list made me realize that working at this point in my life is an important value to me.  Knowing that helps me to structure my days and determine to what I want to devote my time and attention.  But because family is still high up there, I know I don’t want any kind of work sucking the life out of my life.

Bottom line, I found Cohen’s book very useful.  In addition, it’s a great read.  She provides a practical, accessible guide to achieving what is, in the end, a highly personal choice about how to live your life.  And be happy.

To hear more from Julie, listen to my conversation with her on Back in Force on BlogTalkRadio.

Don’t miss the iRelaunch Return to Work Conference on October 4th in New York City and on November 30th in Washington, D.C.!

This is a great event if you’ve been out of the workforce and are contemplating a return.  I took a train up to last year’s conference in NYC, and it was worth every penny.  Great speakers, tons of practical advice, connections with fellow relaunchers and, best of all, employers.  I’m especially excited that the conference is coming to Washington this year.

Here’s what iRelaunch founders and Back on the Career Track co-authors Carol Cohen and Vivian Rabin have to say about the event:

“Through our many iRelaunch Return to Work Conferences around the country and in London—this is our 10th in the last 3 years—we have helped literally hundreds of women and men return to the workforce after a career break—whether voluntary or involuntary, and whether they were out for 3 months or 20+ years.  Several of last year’s NYC Conference attendees found jobs within just a few months of attending the Conference and credited the Conference for helping them land their new opportunities.  Last year’s NY Conference sold out, so we urge people to register early.”

Coming to New York City:
The iRelaunch Return to Work Conference Hosted by NYU Stern School of Business
October 4, 2011

• Are you a professional who has been out of the workforce for 1-20 years or more?
• Are you thinking about returning to work, but not sure what you want to do at this point in your life?
• Do you know what you want to do, but you’re worried about whether you’re marketable?
• Are you tired of answering online job ads and not getting any response?

Register now for the iRelaunch Return to Work Conference hosted by NYU Stern School of Business on October 4, 2011. Join return to work experts Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin for an exciting day of education, inspiration and networking with employer sponsors, including Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bloomberg, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, MIT Professional Education, Accenture, and TeenLife Media.

Harvard MBAs who successfully relaunched their own careers, Carol and Vivian have decades of work experience (and 9 children!) between them. They have shared their career reentry strategies and advice at more than 100 career reentry events, and are frequently quoted in the media.

The iRelaunch Return to Work Conference has been held all over the U.S. and in London, attracting hundreds of MBAs, JDs, engineers, scientists and other professionals. Carol and Vivian’s powerful keynote kicks off a compelling lineup of panels, workshops, and networking in a non threatening environment that will energize and empower you to move ahead with your relaunch. By the end of the Conference, you’ll leave with:

• the knowledge to craft your personalized return to work plan
• self-assessment and networking tools and resources
• insight into how to use social networking to enhance your job search
• valuable employer contacts
• a gift copy of acclaimed career reentry strategy book Back on the Career Track
• renewed confidence
• new professional friends and connections

The iRelaunch Return to Work Conference is unlike any other event you’ve attended. To get a feel for the Conference, watch this short video clip featuring past participants.

And here’s a sampling of comments we’ve received from past Conference attendees:

• “The day’s format was perfect with depth of content, time to network and occasions to learn and reflect.”
• “It was a tremendous confidence booster, without being intimidating. The workshops were thought provoking and revealing.”
• “I learned an enormous amount of information about the skills required to maneuver the internet job search process, local networking opportunities and creative marketing techniques for those ‘stay at home years.’”
• “Yesterday’s Conference was fabulous! Thank you both for providing such a forum, for your insights and experiences and for assembling amazing panels. The energy and enthusiasm in that room was contagious and I can honestly say that attending was one of the best things I’ve done as I seek to continue my career.”

Click here to learn more about the Conference, the agenda, employer sponsors and video testimonials by past Conference participants. Click here to register. Please book early, as places are limited. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Special rate for friends of “Back in Force” is $130  (the regular fee is $160), and includes admission to all the day’s sessions, breakfast, lunch and a gift copy of Back on the Career Track. Enter “Back in Force” in the “How did you hear about us?” box on the online registration form, and you will receive a credit within 48 hours of registration.

The kids are back in school!!!  For many stay-at-home parents, the return to school means the return to normalcy, albeit an often hectic one with activities and homework.

But for a growing segment of the adult population, fall finds them in the classroom, too.

“The current economic downturn is funneling hundreds of thousands of over 25 Americans into postsecondary education,” according to the Lumina Foundation,” and that trend is sure to intensify as the global, knowledge-based economy demands workers with ever higher levels of education and training.”

Lauren Hunt reports in her article “Statistics on Adults Returning to College” that over-35 adults returning to college now make up 20% of total enrollment, more than double the number when these students were 18-year-old freshmen.

But returning to school as an adult can be daunting.  Life usually isn’t as simple as it was at the age of 18.  You might have a much-needed job, a spouse, and kids.  You know, adult responsibilities.  Heading back to school can require a lot of sacrifice, juggling, and time that is already in short supply.  But thousands do it and thrive.

Debbie Krasnow

Debbie Krasnow and Suzanne Offit are two former stay-at-home moms who decided to go back to school to launch new careers.  Both had three children, spouses, and extensive volunteer responsibilities.  But eventually their desire to launch new careers won out over their fear, and they headed back to school — Debbie for three years to earn a masters in social work, and Suzanne for seven to become a rabbi.

They gave up novels, newspapers, and social lives.  Their families often ate scrambled eggs for dinner.  But they had the support of their husbands and kids.  They loved school, and today, they love their new jobs.

You can hear their inspiring stories by clicking on the player below.  And maybe you, too, will be inspired to start filling out the applications.  Good luck!

I recently discovered I have something in common with cows.  We both grieve when our children leave us.

We spent the Labor Day weekend in the countryside outside Culpeper, VA.  Our only visible neighbors were a herd of cows and their calves.  We enjoyed watching them.  The calves frolicked.  Their mothers quietly munched grass, watched, and occasionally called their stray youngsters back with a gentle moo.

Sunday afternoon a cattle truck bounced along the gravel road past the house.  We didn’t think much of it at the time.  But Sunday night, as we dined al fresco, the quiet of the countryside was broken.  Those gentle calls became loud, deep, and long.  Some were repetitive, like the braying of a donkey.  They were plaintive and ceaseless, continuing sporadically through the night and reaching a crescendo at dawn.

In the full morning light, we realized the herd had dwindled — the calves were gone — taken to market and sold to another farmer to raise.  The udders of the remaining cows were swollen and stretched.  And their cries continued through the day.  Only this time, their youngsters did not come back.

I sympathize with those cows.  My third child is about to leave for college.  She’ll be far from her Virginia home at the University of Washington in Seattle.  I’m afraid that when I leave her, I’ll want to cry out like those cows.  Long, and deep, and loud.  I won’t.  At least not publicly.  But I can’t promise I’ll hold back those tears when I return home and set the table for three, instead of four.

There is, however, one huge difference between me and those cows.  My daughter will be coming home.