Latest / The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry / Returning as a Project Manager After an Eight-Year Career Gap
Transcript
- Lucas: Elena Martinez spent eight years at home raising twins. Her last title was marketing director. When she decided to go back, she didn't return to marketing—she became a project manager at a mid-sized healthcare IT firm. And she did it without a single year of formal project management experience. Luna: Okay, that's a big jump. How did she even get the interview? Lucas: That's the thing—she reframed everything. Her resume didn't list 'homemaker.' She listed 'household operations manager' and under that, she quantified things like managing a budget of sixty thousand dollars a year, coordinating schedules for five people, and negotiating vendor contracts. She turned the invisible work of parenting into concrete, transferable skills. Luna: So she didn't hide the gap, she used it. Lucas: Exactly. And she backed it up with a project management certification. She spent about eight months studying at night after the kids went to bed, passed the exam, and then started building a portfolio. She offered to manage a local charity's fundraising event—volunteer work that gave her real project artifacts: timelines, budgets, stakeholder updates. Luna: That's smart. But what about the interviews? Did she get asked the dreaded 'what did you do for eight years' question? Lucas: She did, and she had a prepared answer. She didn't apologize or over-explain. She said she took a deliberate pause to raise her children, and during that time she honed skills that are directly relevant to project management—prioritization, conflict resolution, and staying calm under pressure. She gave a specific example: coordinating a school fundraiser that brought in fifteen thousand dollars. Luna: Wow. That's a great example. So she walked right into the interview confident. Lucas: And she also did her homework on the company's projects. She went in with questions about their workflow and proposed a small process improvement. That's what set her apart—she wasn't just answering questions, she was showing how she could contribute from day one. Luna: And the salary negotiation? Because I imagine a lot of returners feel they have to accept whatever's offered. Lucas: She actually negotiated a flexible schedule and a salary only ten percent below her previous marketing director role, which was a win because she was entering a new field. She used market data from Glassdoor and the PMI salary survey to justify her number. She also pointed out that her marketing background gave her a unique edge in communication and stakeholder management. Luna: So she positioned it as a strength, not a starting from zero. Lucas: Right. And that's what I want listeners to take away: a career gap isn't a void. It's a period where you developed skills—maybe even more relevant than you think. Elena's story shows that with deliberate reframing, upskilling, and networking, you can come back stronger. Luna: Before we go deeper, Lucas, I know we've talked about this before, but I think it's worth mentioning: if you've been finding these episodes helpful in your own comeback journey, there's a small group of listeners who chip in monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. That's literally what keeps this podcast ad-free and running. Lucas: Yeah, and it's not something we push, but it matters. It means we can keep sharing stories like Elena's without worrying about sponsors. So if you're in a position to, that link is there. Otherwise, the episodes keep coming either way. Luna: Exactly. Now, back to Elena—what was the biggest hurdle she had to overcome mentally? Lucas: Imposter syndrome, hands down. Even after she got the job, she told me she spent the first three months expecting someone to tap her on the shoulder and say 'we made a mistake.' But she had a strategy: she kept a 'win' journal. Every time she solved a problem or got positive feedback, she wrote it down. One year in, she had proof she belonged. Luna: That's a practical tool. I bet that also helped with performance reviews. Lucas: For sure. And she also made a point to network with other returners. She found a local chapter of a group called 'Path Forward'—they have programs for people re-entering the workforce. Having a community of people who 'got it' was huge for her confidence. Luna: So what advice would you give to a parent who's been out for five or more years and wants to pivot like Elena did? Lucas: First, do a skills inventory. List everything you did as a stay-at-home parent—budgeting, scheduling, negotiating with contractors, mediating disputes, planning events. Then map those to job descriptions in your target field. You'll be surprised how many match up. Second, invest in one credential—it doesn't have to be a full degree. A certification can signal commitment and basic competence. Luna: And third? Lucas: Network intentionally. Reach out to former colleagues and let them know you're looking. Elena got her job because a former marketing colleague knew the CEO of that healthcare IT firm. It's not what you know, it's who you know—and staying top of mind is key. Luna: That's a solid plan. And I love that Elena didn't try to hide the gap—she owned it, and she made it part of her story. Lucas: Yeah, and that's the takeaway. Your career gap is not a red flag. It's a chapter in your story. When you own it, you project confidence, and that's what hiring managers respond to. Elena's now been in her role for two years, and she's already been promoted to senior project manager. She's proof that a comeback isn't just possible—it can be a launchpad. Luna: So if you're listening and you're in the middle of that gap, feeling unsure, what would you say to them? Lucas: Think about Elena. She had eight years away, and she came back into a role she'd never done before. It took time, preparation, and a mindset shift. But she did it. And you can too. Start with today's conversation as your blueprint.