Quick Summary: In this Changemakers episode, Cheryl talks with Dr. Ann Marie Peters, an executive coach, organizational psychologist, and author of We'll Be Right Back, about returning to work after a career pause. You'll learn why the "part-time myth" catches so many women, how to recognize the skills you built while you were away, and why many women in midlife choose authenticity and balance over climbing the ladder.
Intro:
Returning to the workforce after a career pause is somewhat common in midlife but we tend to doubt ourselves. We often carry insecurities around our employment gaps and falsely believe our past experiences and accomplishments no longer matter. We don’t even remember some of those achievements!
In this episode, I welcome Dr. Ann Marie Peters, an executive coach, leadership strategist, and organizational psychologist. Ann Marie is the author of the brand new book We'll Be Right Back, which focuses on helping women re-enter the workforce after taking a pause. We dive deep into why smart, capable midlife women discount their abilities, the realities of the "part-time myth," and how to translate the hidden skill sets of motherhood and volunteering into a powerful career comeback.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Part-Time Myth: Why squeezing a full-time workload into part-time hours often leads to burnout and how it impacts your career advancement
- The Hidden Skill Sets of a Pause: How managing households, resolving conflict, and leading community events translate into highly valuable skills for employers
- The Kaleidoscope Career Model: Why women in midlife naturally shift their professional focus away from just "challenge" and prioritize authenticity and balance
Links & Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I return to work after a career break in midlife?
Ann Marie recommends starting with reflection: remember and write down your past accomplishments and skills, and what you gained during your pause. Then build the language to describe them on a resume or in a business pitch. She also says to brush up on basics like PowerPoint, Excel, and professional email, as she did when she returned.
What is the "part-time myth"?
Ann Marie says part-time work often ends up being full-time work squeezed into fewer hours, since a quick email can cascade and your brain keeps working. Based on her research, she adds that some part-time women also lose benefits, bonuses, and promotion opportunities.
Why do women leave the workforce, and why is coming back hard?
Ann Marie's research found it's rarely just one reason, and not always a first baby. Women cite glass ceilings, pay, lack of challenge, and harassment. Returning can involve resume gaps, the "motherhood penalty," and ageism.
Do skills from raising kids or volunteering count with employers?
Yes. Ann Marie calls these the "hidden skill sets of motherhood," including managing conflict, people, time, and schedules, and organizing volunteers and events. She and Cheryl also encourage dropping the word "just," as in "just a stay-at-home mom."
Is starting a business an easier way back into work?
Ann Marie says it isn't easy, since you don't earn income until you have clients. She still found it rewarding, building the marketing, website, and client base from zero with friends. She says many returning women become entrepreneurs, sometimes out of passion and sometimes because they hit roadblocks in their former field.
What do women want from work in midlife?
Ann Marie describes the kaleidoscope career model, which suggests midlife women care more about authenticity and balance than challenge. In her research, many women who returned to nonprofit work chose it over long hours, wanting work that aligned with their values.
Episode Chapters:
00:00:00 - Midlife As A Change Window
00:01:06 - Thriving Mindset And Coaching Offer
00:01:53 - Why Returning Feels So Hard
00:03:15 - Anne Marie’s Career Pause Story
00:11:05 - The Part-Time Myth At Work
00:14:48 - Re-Entry Through Entrepreneurship
00:18:18 - Gaps, Penalties, And Ageism
00:21:10 - Reclaiming Experience And Hidden Skills
00:26:35 - Midlife Priorities Shift To Meaning
00:31:45 - Where To Find The Book
00:32:55 - The One Takeaway To Remember
00:36:00 - Host Wrap And Listener Requests
Why This Episode Matters
By acknowledging the incredible skills you've built during your career pause and embracing your desire for balance, you can reclaim your professional identity and step confidently into your next chapter.
Take a little bit better care of yourself in midlife.
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