by Carol Fishman Cohen

We've been following return-to-work stories since 2001 when my co-author, Vivian Steir Rabin, interviewed me about my return to work after 11 years out of the full-time workforce as part of a collection of "relaunch success stories" she was building.  Ultimately, our book Back on the Career Track reflected more than 100 of these stories, and our iRelaunch.com website features more than 150 more.  We study relaunch success stories in all different fields and work configurations, including relaunching entrepreneurs.  Here are three stories of women who relaunched their careers by starting businesses.  Take a look:

by Carol Fishman Cohen

As defending champion Kim Clijsters advances to the women's singles quarterfinals in the Australian Open, we are reminded that this three-time U.S. Open champion (2005, 2009, 2010) is a fellow relauncher whose strong and stunning 2010 U.S. Open win followed a two-year break from the pro circuit after the birth of her daughter.

by Guest Blogger, Angelita Williams

Online education is quickly changing the face of the entire education sector for students, teachers, employees, and employers.What was originally scoffed at as a worthless degree is now coming to be regarded as on par with diplomas from traditional universities.In fact, online education has become so widespread that even prestigious and Ivy League schools are beginning to offer courses online, fearing that they might become outdated if they do not.

by Carol Fishman Cohen

We have plenty of examples of the benefits of remote working (read Seven Reasons Women Work Remotely), but the best stories are the funny or ridiculous remote work moments.  Admittedly, some of these are more amusing in hindsight than they were when they happened, but here goes...

by Carol Fishman Cohen

Since we recently honored our military servicemen and women on Veteran's Day, I have been thinking a lot about those who support them; military spouses.  I had the opportunity to meet with military spouses earlier this month when I spoke at the National Military Spouse Network Military Spouse Employment Summit. My focus was on maintaining career continuity as a military spouse. Frequent moves make career continuity a challenge for military spouses, but remote work, meaningful volunteer experiences, portable careers, and transferable skills keep resumes strong until spouses can settle in one area permanently and resume a more conventional career.  read more

by Carol Fishman Cohen

I co-manage a team of six female professionals, all of whom work remotely, and I have been working remotely myself for the last ten years.  At iRelaunch, we have worked with employers of all sizes with remote workforces, from those with global populations of at least 200,000 (IBM, Accenture) to smaller operations (85Broads, Mom Corps).  The large employers cite reduced real estate and other associated operational costs by having employees work out of their homes or at client sites. Shared, unassigned office space is used only when necessary.  Smaller companies simply find the need to congregate in a common office space unnecessary and even confining.

But what about the employees themselves? What do they like about the remote work arrangement? An unofficial poll of female remote workers revealed seven reasons women like working remotely:

by Guest Blogger Stacy Schneider Boegem

When I resigned from my law firm, my little guy was a mere 2 months old, and I was supposed to be returning to work - on a full-time basis - in 2 weeks time.  I was just as surprised as anyone at the news of my resignation from the firm, and ultimately from the practice of law.  I had never seen myself as a “stay-at-home” mom.  After some serious heart-to-hearts with my husband, my parents, and myself, I embraced the opportunity to devote myself completely to the mission that is motherhood, while my little man was in his most tender stage.  The plan was, take one year and just indulge in mommy life, and then get back to work.  Doing what, I had no idea. read more

by Carol Fishman Cohen

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for those returning to work after a career break. Here are some of the ways returning professionals can use LinkedIn effectively:

1. Find Long Lost People from Past: LinkedIn is a gift to those resuming careers after a hiatus because it helps in finding all those long lost people from the past. When on career break, keeping networks fresh can be difficult. But if someone you worked with ten years ago has a profile on LinkedIn, chances are you can find that person, whether he is still at the same company or whether he has moved five times since. read more