Expert career advice for empty nesters

Is this the right time to reenter the work force, change careers, or launch your own business? Empty nesters are often searching for their purpose and this can include starting a new career or changing careers. If you are wondering what you next career move should be then read on!  

We sought the advice of Pamela Weinberg, a certified career management coach (CCMC) and personal branding strategist. She has had great success with helping empty nesters and women in transition find fulfilling careers.  Pamela answers some of your pressing questions and offers tips that are actionable, useful, and most importantly doable!

What advice do you have for empty nesters that are stay at home moms, but are now looking to work again?

First piece of advice is to think about what type of career you want.  Would you want to return to your  former career (in my experience, most people don’t) or are you looking to do something new? One of the best ways to assess this is to speak to as many people as possible about their careers and see what you like. Many women have gained a ton of new skills and interests through parenting. Things like managing a travel soccer team, doing fundraising for your child’s school or doing home decorating projects are all accomplishments and skill builders that can lead to a new career. 

How do you account for long gaps on your resume?

That dreaded resume gap can be a reason many women don’t return to the workplace. It’s important to remember that the “gap” can be filled with volunteer work, any classes taken during that time and more. Even though it’s not “paid work” there are still skills and accomplishments that go along with volunteering which are just as valid as those gotten from a job. 

Also, though most resumes are chronological, there is another resume format called the functional resume which is a great alternative for those with a longer gap between jobs. This article gives some good advice on creating one. 

When deciding on what to do next, what advice can you give to those that want to do something totally different?  

Informational interviews with those in fields that interest you is a great first step. Ask questions like: “what are the key qualifications and skills needed for the job”; “what type of employee does well in this role”

Once you get these answers, you may need to gain new skills via classes or workshops. Two good places to look are: Coursera.org and Udemy.com for a wide range of skills building classes. Working with a career coach can help make this search easier through skills, values and interests assessments. If you want to do this yourself, one of my favorites is Clifton Strengths. 

What about those looking to pick up where they left off?

Returnships (paid adult internships) are a great way to get back into your chosen field. They are best for those out of the workplace for 2 to 5 years. These are popular with banks, consulting firms and some law firms. Returnships are typically paid re-training programs and while employment is not guaranteed, it’s pretty likely once the program is over.

For other fields, or those who have been out of the workplace longer I would recommend:  joining a professional organization in your chosen field; reaching out to former colleagues and peers through LinkedIn; and keeping up on your industry by reading any industry blogs and following industry thought leaders via social media. 

So many empty nesters are interested in entrepreneurship but need help getting started.  What advice can you give to our readers?

Starting a business can feel very overwhelming. The best advice is to break down all of your tasks into small steps and set goals for yourself each week. Having an “accountability” partner or a “personal board of directors” can help you to stay focused and to meet your goals.

If you need help–ASK. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, support, feedback from those in your network. I found that was the best way to move my ideas forward in the businesses I created.

Why do you think empty nesters make good entrepreneurs? 

I love the experience that empty nesters bring to their new ventures. Empty Nesters have raised children and have developed many skills that are so important to entrepreneurship: resilience, patience, communication, organization and life skills. They also have more free time to get creative and focus on their new venture with the kids out of the house.

What do you think the biggest obstacles are for empty nesters looking to start a business and how can they overcome them?

For those empty nesters who are first time business owners/entrepreneurs, I think one of the biggest obstacles is a lack of confidence to “go for it”. Many moms are the biggest cheerleaders for their own kids, but when it comes to themselves, they may not be as willing to take a risk alone.  A great way to make this easier is to start a business with a friend or colleague. Having another person to bounce ideas off of and work with can help to ease the transition.

It seems like Covid-19 has launched many new businesses, can you share any success stories?

With so many of us stuck home during the pandemic, many businesses have started (or pivoted) to provide services or products for this demographic. At home work out classes via Instagram or Zoom, chef and meal delivery services, and home beauty kits are some of the businesses booming during this time. Empty Nesters would be terrific in any of these categories catering to the right demographic. Shops on Etsy have never been busier than during the pandemic as well–with many entrepreneurs creating their own products for the first time. 

What advice can you give to someone deciding between finding a traditional job and starting their own company?  What are the pros and cons?

I would have clients think about and evaluate what their “career values” are–i.e. What are the most important considerations for you in choosing your career path. For instance, if earning a steady salary is one of your most important values, then I would say that getting a traditional job would get you to that faster. If one of the most important things for you in your life is being able to be your own boss and be responsible for your own destiny, then entrepreneurship may be the best way for you to get there. 

Given the current Covid-19 climate, should you wait to find employment?

How did you become a career coach? How can our readers connect with you and find out more about working with you?

I became a career coach in 2009 after going back to school (NYU) to get certified as a career management coach. I had previously written a book called “City Baby” which encompassed my career for 12 years. When I was ready to change careers,  I really needed advice and realized that a lot of women I knew felt the same way, that showed me that there was a niche for a career coach who catered to women and career changers. I started my business appealing to women who had taken some time out of the workplace and wanted to return. I still work with this population, as well as career changers and millennials.

I have an office in NYC (that I hope to be back to one day soon) and currently am seeing clients via Zoom. Interested in learning more about entrepreneurship or a career change? Please reach out to me for a complimentary 30 minutes coaching session–just mention Empty Nest Nation. 

Thank you Pamela for your helpful insights and career guidance for empty nesters!

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