The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry

In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how one parent made a successful return to software engineering after a five-year career break. They break down the specific skills refresh strategy — focusing on React, cloud computing, and algorithmic thinking — and the networking approach that led to a mid-level role at a mid-size tech company. The discussion covers how to address the gap in technical interviews, the value of open-source contributions during a break, and the surprising advantage of having managed a household budget when interviewing for product-oriented teams. If you're a former developer considering re-entry, this episode offers a realistic, step-by-step playbook from someone who did it.

#CareerGap #SoftwareEngineering #ReturnToWork #TechCareers #React #CloudComputing #InterviewTips #OpenSource #ParentReturners #CodingBootcamp #ResumeGap #LinkedInNetworking #AlgorithmPractice #WomenInTech #CareerChange #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheComebackCareer

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Episode 120 of The Comeback Career Podcast explores how a seven-year career gap became an unexpected advantage for a parent returning as a data analyst. Lucas and Luna unpack the story of Maria Chen, who left a marketing analytics role in 2019 to raise twins, then spent two years retooling with free online courses, a portfolio of personal projects, and a networking strategy that landed her a senior analyst position at a regional health system. The hosts break down how she framed her gap in interviews, why recruiters valued her domain knowledge over continuous employment, and the specific steps listeners can take to replicate her approach. A concrete, actionable episode for anyone wondering if a career break can actually strengthen their candidacy.

#CareerGap #StayAtHomeReEntry #DataAnalytics #CareerPivot #ReturnToWork #MariaChen #AnalyticsPortfolio #FreeOnlineCourses #SQL #Tableau #Python #HealthcareData #InterviewTips #Networking #ParentingAndCareer #ComebackCareer #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how a parent re-entered the workforce as a supply chain analyst after a six-year career gap. They break down the specific steps taken: starting with a free online certification from the Association for Supply Chain Management, leveraging volunteer experience managing a school fundraiser's logistics, and using a portfolio of process maps to demonstrate readiness. The discussion covers how to frame a gap as an asset when applying for roles that value problem-solving and resilience. Lucas shares concrete advice on identifying transferable skills from household management and community organizing. Luna highlights the surprising demand for supply chain roles post-pandemic and the relatively fast training path. The episode includes a brief, low-key mention of listener support through Buy Me a Coffee that keeps the podcast ad-free. The focus remains on actionable strategies for listeners navigating their own return-to-work journey.

#SupplyChain #CareerGap #ReturnToWork #StayAtHomeReEntry #SupplyChainAnalyst #CareerChange #TransferableSkills #OnlineCertification #APICS #ProcessMapping #Logistics #InventoryManagement #VolunteerExperience #ResumeGap #CareerPodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the story of a former certified pharmacy technician who stepped away from the field for seven years to raise twins. After a divorce and a move to a new city, she needed to re-enter the workforce but found her certification had lapsed and her confidence was shot. Through a community college refresher course, a part-time internship at a local independent pharmacy, and a strategic approach to explaining her gap in interviews, she landed a full-time role at a hospital pharmacy within nine months. Lucas and Luna break down the specific steps she took: why she chose a local independent pharmacy over a chain for her return, how she framed her gap as a period of skill-building in logistics and problem-solving, and what she did in the first 90 days to prove her value. They also discuss the broader lesson: returning to a technical field often requires proving you can handle the technology and pace again, but the people skills from parenting are a genuine asset. If you're considering a return to a hands-on healthcare role after a long break, this episode offers a practical roadmap.

#PharmacyTechnician #CareerGap #StayAtHomeParent #ReEntry #HealthcareCareers #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ComebackCareer #JobSearch #InterviewTips #ResumeGap #SkillRefresh #Internship #HospitalPharmacy #IndependentPharmacy #SingleParent #ReturnToWork

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Episode 117 of The Comeback Career Podcast explores how a stay-at-home parent with a legal research background negotiated a return-to-work role as a corporate paralegal at a mid-sized firm. Lucas and Luna walk through the actual steps: identifying transferable skills from pro bono work, using a temp-to-perm agency, and framing a six-year gap in interviews. They discuss the specific salary negotiation tactic that worked — anchoring to the going rate for a paralegal with equivalent experience rather than apologizing for the gap. The episode also covers how to use continuing education credits from free online courses to show current knowledge. Listeners get a concrete roadmap, including sample language for cover letters and the single question to ask in an interview that signals confidence without defensiveness. No fluff, just actionable steps for career re-entry in the legal field.

#CareerGap #ReturnToWork #CorporateParalegal #LegalCareers #StayAtHomeParent #CareerReEntry #SalaryNegotiation #TempToPerm #InterviewTips #TransferableSkills #ProBono #ContinuingEducation #CoverLetter #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ComebackCareer #ParentReEntry #Careers

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how a career gap can actually be an advantage when returning as a nonprofit grant writer. They walk through the story of Maria, a former marketing manager who took seven years off to raise twins and then pivoted into grant writing at a regional food bank. Lucas breaks down how she reframed her past experience—using her familiarity with donor personas and campaign analytics to write compelling proposals. They discuss the specific skills that transfer seamlessly: research, storytelling, budgeting, and deadline management. Luna shares insights from a recent survey by the National Council of Nonprofits showing that 68% of organizations struggle to find experienced grant writers. The conversation covers how to find volunteer opportunities to build a portfolio, the importance of understanding foundation guidelines, and how to articulate your value in interviews. This episode offers a concrete roadmap for anyone looking to turn a career break into a meaningful second act in the nonprofit sector.

#GrantWriter #CareerGap #Nonprofit #StayAtHomeReEntry #ReturnToWork #Maria #NationalCouncilOfNonprofits #FoodBank #MarketingToGrantWriting #TransferableSkills #ProposalWriting #VolunteerPortfolio #FoundationGrants #CareerPivot #SecondAct #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheComebackCareerPodcast

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how one parent returned as a medical writer after a seven-year career gap. They break down the specific steps—from taking a free online course in regulatory writing to building a portfolio of mock documents—that helped her land a role at a mid-sized CRO. The hosts discuss how the medical writing field is uniquely suited for re-entry parents, with contract-friendly schedules and a skillset that values clarity over recency. They also share the exact language she used on her resume to frame her gap, and how she nailed a writing test that became her job offer. Practical advice for anyone in healthcare, science, or communications looking to restart on their own terms.

#MedicalWriter #CareerGap #ReturnToWork #StayAtHomeParent #ReEntryParent #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheComebackCareer #CRO #RegulatoryWriting #ICF #ClinicalDocuments #PortfolioBuilding #FreelanceMedicalWriting #WritingTest #ResumeGap #HealthcareCareers

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how a five-year career gap can transform into a successful freelance writing business. They follow the story of Jenna, a former marketing coordinator who left the workforce to care for her twins and returned by pitching personal essays to online publications. Lucas breaks down the three-step strategy Jenna used: starting with low-barrier guest posts, building a portfolio on Contently, and leveraging her parenting experience as a unique voice in the parenting and lifestyle niche. Luna asks whether the strategy works for non-parents, and Lucas shares how a former teacher used the same approach to break into ed-tech content. The hosts discuss the economics of freelance writing, including typical rates for beginners versus experienced writers, and how to avoid burnout. They also address the common fear of not being 'good enough' after a gap and offer concrete tips for rebuilding confidence. Tune in for a practical, data-backed roadmap to re-entering the workforce through the gig economy.

#CareerGap #FreelanceWriting #ReturnToWork #StayAtHomeMom #ParentingAndCareer #Contently #GuestPosting #WritingPortfolio #GigEconomy #ContentMarketing #EdTech #ConfidenceBuilding #WorkLifeBalance #JennaStory #Pitching #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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In this episode of The Comeback Career Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the story of Elena Torres, a former marketing manager who took a seven-year career gap to raise her children. When she decided to return to the workforce, she targeted recruiting coordinator roles at tech companies in Austin, Texas. Lucas breaks down how Elena leveraged her gap as a strength by volunteering at a local nonprofit's hiring events, building a network of over forty contacts within three months, and ultimately landing a role at a mid-size software firm. The hosts discuss the specific strategies Elena used to frame her gap in interviews, the certifications she pursued (including a two-week online recruiting course), and how her empathy from being a parent became an asset in candidate screening. This episode offers a concrete, step-by-step playbook for listeners re-entering the workforce in a people-ops or HR-adjacent field.

#CareerGap #StayAtHomeParent #RecruitingCoordinator #HRCareer #ReturnToWork #AustinTech #ElenaTorres #NonprofitVolunteering #InterviewStrategy #ParentEmpathy #PeopleOps #WorkforceReEntry #Careers #JobSearch #Networking #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ComebackCareer

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After a seven-year gap raising twins, Maria Gonzalez landed a role coordinating trade shows for a mid-sized medical device company. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down how she leveraged her pre-gap event planning experience, the specific certifications she added (CMP and CEM), and the networking strategy that got her in the door. They discuss why trade show coordination is a surprisingly gap-friendly field—project-based, deadline-driven, and hungry for organized generalists—and what listeners can learn from Maria's approach to reframing volunteer PTA work as professional project management. Plus, the hosts share why they keep the show ad-free and how listeners can support that mission at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo.

#Careers #CareerGap #ReturnToWork #TradeShowCoordinator #MariaGonzalez #EventPlanning #CMPCertification #CEMCertification #PTAVolunteer #ProjectManagement #Networking #MedicalDevice #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ComebackCareer #StayAtHomeMom #JobSearch #ProfessionalDevelopment

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