How to relaunch your career in the age of AI (and feel ready to do it)
Whether you've been out of the workforce for six months or six years, coming back is a different kind of job search. It goes beyond updating your resume. It's about reframing your story, rebuilding your confidence, and figuring out where AI fits into all of it.
Susan Rietano Davey and Kelley Biskupiak, co-founders of Prepare to Launch U, joined us to talk about relaunching careers in their on August 25th. Both have lived this transition themselves: Susan moved from a fast-tracked career in Fortune 50 tech into flexible work consulting and executive coaching after a career break; Kelley left education and curriculum development, then retrained as a certified coach after taking time away to raise her children. Together they've helped thousands of career returners and pivoters find their footing, and they brought that same practical, been-there energy to this conversation.
What they covered
The session got into the specifics that most career advice skips: how to talk about a gap without apologizing for it, how to identify the skills you built during time away that transfer into your next role, and how to use AI tools to support your search without letting them drown out your voice. Whether you're trying to reenter an industry you left or pivot into something new entirely, there was something in this conversation for you.
You can also rewatch the full event here.
Free resources from Prepare to Launch U
Susan and Kelley put together a set of tools to help you take what you heard and run with it. Everything below is free:
- The Three Essential Messages of a Career Break Story (PDF) — how to frame your time away in a way that lands
- Gapped Resumé Writing Template (PDF) — a practical template built specifically for non-linear career paths
- LinkedIn Page Checklist (PDF) — make sure your profile is working for you
- LinkedIn Networking Strategy (PDF) — how to approach outreach without it feeling awkward
- Connect-Message-Meet Networking Strategy (PDF) — a step-by-step framework for turning connections into real conversations
- Networking Tracker (Fillable PDF) — keep your outreach organized and your momentum going
What's coming up from Prepare to Launch U
If this session resonated, here's how to keep going:
- August 27th webinar: How to Tell Your Career Break Story — a full session dedicated to the one skill that makes everything else click
- Info session for the September 8th Fall Career Relaunch Cohort — if you're ready to go deeper with a cohort behind you
- Full course info: Career Relaunch Course — everything Prepare to Launch U offers in one place
- Prepare to Launch U on YouTube — more content, more resources, more of Susan and Kelley
Connect with the speakers
Susan and Kelley both love connecting with career returners and pivoters. Reach out and let them know what you're working on: