Latest / The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry / How a Career Gap Led to a Return as a Project Manager
Transcript
- Lucas: So Priya spent eight years out of the workforce raising two kids, and when she decided to go back, she didn't just land any job—she came back as a project manager, which is a step up from where she left off. That's not luck, that's a strategy. Luna: A step up? That's impressive. Most people I talk to think they'll have to take a step back after a long gap. Lucas: Right, and that's exactly the myth we want to bust today. Priya's story shows that with a deliberate approach, you can return at a higher level than when you left. Let me break down how she did it. Lucas: First, she invested in a PMP certification—that's Project Management Professional, a credential that's pretty much the gold standard in the field. It cost her around five hundred dollars and took about three months of study, but it signaled to employers that she was serious and current. Luna: So she didn't just rely on her old experience—she updated her toolkit. That makes sense. Lucas: Exactly. But the certification alone wasn't enough. She also reframed her volunteer work. She had been coordinating a school fundraiser for three years, managing a budget of twenty thousand dollars and a team of fifteen volunteers. On her resume, she described it as 'project management experience'—and that's not a stretch, it's exactly what it was. Luna: That's a great point. A lot of stay-at-home parents don't realize that running a household or leading a PTA fundraiser is basically project management. Lucas: Absolutely. And that's one of the biggest mental shifts: recognizing that your unpaid work is still work experience. Priya also tapped into her network—she reached out to a former colleague who worked at a tech company, and that connection led to an informational interview, which then turned into a referral. Luna: So networking was key. But what about the actual interview? How did she handle the gap question? Lucas: She was straightforward. She said, 'I took eight years to raise my children, and during that time I developed these skills—budgeting, scheduling, conflict resolution—and now I'm ready to apply them professionally.' She didn't apologize, she didn't over-explain. She owned it. Lucas: And that confidence paid off. She negotiated her salary, too. She did her research, found the market rate for a project manager in her area, and asked for it. She got within five percent of her target. Luna: That's inspiring. It sounds like she had a clear plan. But let's step back—what are the concrete steps for someone listening who might want to do the same? Lucas: First, assess your transferable skills. Write down everything you've done, paid or unpaid, and identify the ones that map to project management—things like planning, organizing, leading teams, budgeting. You might be closer than you think. Luna: And then what? Get certified? Lucas: If you can swing it, yes. A PMP is a big commitment, but there are entry-level certifications that are less intense, like the CAPM—Certified Associate in Project Management. That can be a stepping stone. Luna: Makes sense. And networking—is it really that critical? Lucas: It's often the difference between getting your resume read and getting ignored. Priya's referral meant her resume went to the top of the pile. And she didn't just ask for a job—she asked for advice, which is less intimidating and more effective. Lucas: So, if you're listening and you've been out of the workforce for a few years, don't count yourself out. Project management is a field that values maturity, organization, and people skills—traits you've likely been honing every day at home. Luna: That's a great note to end on. And if you found this episode useful, we just want to remind you that the reason we can keep doing this is listener support. It's what keeps the podcast ad-free. Lucas: Yeah, so if you're in a position to, you can support us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. No pressure, but it does help us keep bringing you stories like Priya's. Luna: Thanks for that. So, back to Priya—she now manages a portfolio of projects at that same company, and she says the best part is feeling like she's using her brain again in a professional setting. Lucas: And that's the thing—a career gap isn't a deficit, it's a different kind of experience. Priya's story is proof that with a little strategy, you can come back stronger than ever.