50. How to Return to Work After a Career Break (With Confidence)

Thinking about returning to work after a career break — but not sure where to start?In this episode, Ashley Billings interviews Betsy Gardner, CEO of Evermore Advisory and former President & CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. After her own 13-year career break, Betsy created the Relaunch program — a proven return-to-work program now helping professional women confidently reenter the workforce across the country.Whether you've been out of the workforce for 2 years or 15, this episode breaks down exactly what it takes to come back — not at the bottom, but at your level.What you'll learn:How to return to work after a career gap without starting overWhy women struggle with confidence after a career break (and how to rebuild it)How to update your resume, LinkedIn profile, and personal brand for reentryThe 3 drivers of every career decision: control, content, and compensationWhy forward-thinking employers are actively hiring career returnersThe leadership and soft skills that make returning women high-value hiresThis episode is for you if:You're woman considering returning to work after time off for family, caregiving, or personal reasonsYou're mid career-transition and need a confidence resetYou're an HR leader or employer looking to hire experienced returning professionalsTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction + Betsy Gardner and the Relaunch program(03:05) The origin of the Relaunch program(06:10) The business case for hiring women returning to the workforce(09:15) Why women leave the workforce and struggle to return(12:20) The confidence gap after a career break(15:10) Betsy's personal career reentry story(18:05) What Relaunch teaches (branding, resumes, LinkedIn)(21:00) The psychology of returning to work after years away(24:05) Control, content, compensation: the 3 Cs of starting a job(27:10) How employers should view resume gaps in 2026(30:00) The hidden skills career returners bring to the workplace(33:00) Final advice: stop waiting for the "right time" to return to work-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.If this episode helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who needs to hear it.-----------------------------------Connect with our Guest:Website: http://Humanintheroombook.com Or http://Betsygardner.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebetsygardnerYouTube: @humanintheroompodcastLearn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/