3,2,1 Irelaunch

As relaunchers, we focus almost myopically on the critical first role post-relaunch. While that is of course crucial, it is also important to consider longer term issues as well. In this episode, iRelaunch Guest Host and Special Advisor Cheryl McGee Wallace speaks with Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder and president of the Center for Talent Innovation, about her research on executive presence, the crucial distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, and the importance of building relationships throughout one’s career.

Seasoned editor and journalist Grace Bennett joins Carol to discuss her career path and time off to raise her family. Despite having reached the top of her field prior to her career break, Grace had the “nobody wanted her” experience so many of us do when looking to relaunch after our career breaks. Grace is Founder and currently Publisher/Editor in Chief at Inside Press Inc. a community/regional group of magazines focused on northern Westchester, NY

Theresa Harris is the director of the Edgewater Galleries, two Middlebury, VT galleries and one in Boston, MA. She began her career as a designer of custom rugs for Stark Carpet, then went into freelance design work, and following an eight year career break, relaunched as a teacher and mentor to an artist with a disability. When she and her husband downsized and moved to Vermont as empty-nesters, Theresa literally walked into one of the Edgewater Galleries to talk about her interest in working there. With her background as an artist, plus her superb organizational skills and excellent eye for where interior design and art converge, she was hired and ultimately promoted to the role she has today. Hear the inside story of how Theresa relaunched her career in the arts in this engaging conversation. For more information on the Edgewater Galleries go to https://edgewatergallery.co

Today, Carol talks with Liz Logie about her amazing relaunch story. Liz began her legal career as a "big firm law" corporate/banking attorney in New York City, and then took a 10 year career break. She relaunched as an entrepreneur in the fashion business for 15 years, ultimately joining online luxury consignment site The RealReal in the early days of the company in a sales role. Liz returned to legal practice through the OnRamp Fellowship in Sidley Austin, LLP's NYC office in the corporate/M&A group following her participation in Pace Law School’s New Directions Program. In late 2018, Liz moved across the country to re-join TheRealReal as Corporate Counsel. The RealReal went public in July 2019 and has a valuation of almost $2B

EP 111: “The Benefits of Coaching” with Sara Dickison Taylor by iRelaunch

We contacted Chris after reading his powerful and compelling article in Medium about his father’s depression during a prolonged period of unemployment, and the risks of ignoring mental health issues during the job search. We see signs of depression and anxiety in our own community of relaunchers; when people post in our private Facebook groups, when they write to us, and when we meet them face to face at our conferences and events. Carol explores this critically important topic in her conversation with Chris, who co-founded Project Tugboat, “which empowers professionals to overcome the social and emotional challenges of unemployment.”

In this special 3, 2, 1, iRelaunch series on the nuts and bolts of the recruiting process, we speak with recruiters from firms with and without back-to-work programs to provide you with the broadest perspective possible. iRelaunch Special Advisor and Guest Podcast Host Cheryl McGee Wallace talks with Donnie Watson, Talent Acquisition Manager at ZoomInfo/DiscoveryOrg. Donnie stresses the need for relaunchers to be pro-active and appropriately assertive in their dealings with recruiters. In part 2, we discuss relauncher questions on negotiations and post-interview silence.

In this special 3, 2, 1, iRelaunch series on the nuts and bolts of the recruiting process, we speak with recruiters from firms with and without back-to-work programs to provide you with the broadest perspective possible. iRelaunch Special Advisor and Guest Podcast Host Cheryl McGee Wallace talks with Donnie Watson, Talent Acquisition Manager at ZoomInfo/DiscoveryOrg. Donnie stresses the need for relaunchers to be pro-active and appropriately assertive in their dealings with recruiters. In part 1, we discuss how to address your break, determining level and fit, and position descriptions.

A well-crafted resume is an applicant's calling card. Whether applying for a job or seeking an informational interview, it's a critical first impression, often judged at a glance. In this special edition of 3, 2, 1 iRelaunch, we talk to career coach Kendell Brown of Ascension Careers about resumes, including drafting accomplishments vs. responsibilities, reflecting keywords, addressing career gaps and leveraging social media. For more information on the work that Kendell does please visit https://www.ascension-careers.com

A professional photographer specializing in individual and family portraits, headshots, nature and lifestyle photos, Randi Childs talks with Carol about the exhilaration, fear and passion she experienced when she started her own business after an extended career break. Note: Randi will be speaking at the iRelaunch Return to Work Conference at Columbia on October 3, 2019. For more information visit our web site.

EP 105: “Recruiting for the JNJ Re-ignite #ReturnToWorkProgram" with Elizabeth Markus by iRelaunch

Carol speaks with Nancy Eberhardt, Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership, a nationally recognized provider of free business and transactional legal services to nonprofits. The organization recruits and supports volunteer attorneys with a range of specializations to help nonprofits achieve their goals, avoid risk, and better serve their constituencies. Carol and Nancy discuss how skills-based volunteer work can better position relaunchers for return to work success, and examples of legal work provided by the Pro Bono Partnership. For more information please visit www.probonopartnership.org

EP 103: “Relaunching After A Military Career” with Chris DeJesus by iRelaunch

Carol is joined today by Katia Vlachos, Expat Transition Coach and Author of “A Great Move: Surviving and Thriving in Your Expat Assignment." Being a trailing spouse or partner can be an exciting experience but is also challenging from a personal and professional standpoint. Katia shares advice for those re-patriating back to their home countries after time abroad.

Lisa Fenton, Professional Supply Chain Manager at Rapala/VMC (Canada) gives our audience a firsthand look at the Supply Chain field. From procurement and operations to logistics and transportation all the way to trade, consulting and senior management, Lisa discusses opportunities for relaunchers to enter and advance in supply chain careers.

Today 3, 2, 1, iRelaunch reaches a milestone! This is our 100th episode and we are delighted to showcase Carol’s conversation with Claire Shipman, Co-Author, with Katty Kay, of “Womenomics”,“The Confidence Code”and “The Confidence Code for Girls”,and former national news correspondent for ABC, NBC and CNN. Claire and Carol discuss how to build back confidence after experiencing the diminished sense of self so common to relaunchers on extended career breaks.

EP 99: “Career Pivoting” What it means and How it Works with Marc Miller by iRelaunch

Carol talks today with Sharon Gala, Investment Vice President, Chief Investment Office, Global Portfolio Management at Prudential Financial. After a six year career break Sharon let all of her friends and colleagues know that she was looking to get back into the work force. Even though her new role was different from her pre-career break roles, the fundamentals of the industry had not changed. Sharon discusses the experience that she emphasized on her resume, not her career break. She also talks about building up a “cheerleading” group to help build confidence.

Jacqueline Welch, a two time relauncher and one of the most senior relaunchers we know, talks candidly about her relaunch success and shares wide-ranging advice, including the value of silence in negotiating, "closing the loop" with those who helped you during your relaunch, and for those currently working who are anticipating a future relaunch, the call you should always take (more on that in the podcast!).

Alex Grodnik hosts the “Moving Up” podcast that lives on the popular Wall Street Oasis website, and is the Co-founder of fintech startup Payclub, "a next-generation banking platform for Gen Z." This lively conversation highlights Alex's thoughts on "chasing prestige” and “rejection therapy," which are relevant for Millennials and relaunchers alike.