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How can a 43-year-old mom re-enter the workforce after a 4-year gap?

Maxim

Maxim Emmanuel  | Answer  |Ask -

Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Jul 22, 2024

Maxim Emmanuel is the marketing director of Maxwill Zeus Expositions.
An alumnus of the Xavier Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, Maxim has over 30 years of experience in training young professionals and corporate organisations on how to improve soft skills and build interpersonal relationships through effective communication.
He also works with students and job aspirants offering career guidance, preparing them for job interviews and group discussions and teaching them how to make effective presentations.... more
Cooking Question by Cooking on May 28, 2024Hindi
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Career

Hi i am 43 years old and mother of 3 kids ....i quit job to look after my kids ...niw they are 13 ,9 and 7 years d .i feel they are enough independent to look after themselve n i can look for a new job ...i used to work in operations department of a bank for 15 years.now there us a gap of 4 years ,how can u justify this gap in front of new employers in interview ...can you please help me..

Ans: I see you have the experience well the gap was a personal need that had to be fulfilled... Done it.. You are ready!

OK go to corporate website go to careers apply, with a resume not more than 2 page's ..crisp and clear!

If you do need further professional advice happy to assist
https://m.me/maxim.emmanuel.2024
Career

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Ashwini

Ashwini Dasgupta  |103 Answers  |Ask -

Personality Development Expert, Career Coach - Answered on Feb 08, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 05, 2023Hindi
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Career
Hello mam, I am a 52 year old qualified woman, i left my well paid illustrious job after doing it for 13 years in 2008 to run my own business but due to some unforeseen and unfortunate personal and professional circumstances, I couldn't be successful in business due to lack of funding and no partners with me and remained a trader only in last 15 years. Although as a sole proprietor of the business, I handled all aspects of business my self like sales, marketing, finance, new clients generation etc, Got lot of experience as a sole proprietor but couldn't generate much revenue. I am a single woman industry. Now if I leave my business and go for a job with my total 28 years of job and business experience, how would I explain to interviewer the reason of leaving my business? How will i explain my business income which is much lesser than the current job salary of a person with 28 years experience in my field of business? I tried to go back in job several times in the last 15 years but couldn't because of these 2 reasons so please help. Thanks
Ans: Hi Sir/ Madam,

This is an commendable experience. Kudos.

Here are the few aspects you may consider- When explaining your decision to leave your business and seeking a job, honesty and framing your experiences in a positive light are key.

Highlight your entrepreneurial journey- mention on the various roles you have performed- sales, marketing, finance etc. This will show your versatility and multiple other aspects of the business.

Be honest and tell the interviewer'

Focus on the learning and growth-highlight the new skills you have learnt during your entrepreneurial journey and link it to the jobs you have/ will be applying.

Express your desire to have stability

Be honest on your financial conditions and explain how these are important

Get active on networking and referrals

Tailor your resume as per the industry, jobs you are applying

Prepare for the interviews. Practice, practice and practice

Employers value candidates who are honest and transparent. They value the diverse experience you bring on the table. Be effectively communicating your experience you can position yourself as a valuable asset to any organization.

All the best



Thanks
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a skill or attitude?

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Ashwini

Ashwini Dasgupta  |103 Answers  |Ask -

Personality Development Expert, Career Coach - Answered on Mar 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 07, 2024Hindi
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Career
I quit my job after marriage to take care of my children. I am 38, BCom graduate, mother of two kids. I used to work in the admin department and was at the peak of my career when I got pregnant. Now that my kids are 9 and 7, I feel they are independent enough for me to look for a job. But I have a career gap of 10 years. How can I restart my career? Most interviewers are rejecting my CV because of the gap. But I am willing to learn and I really enjoy working
Ans: Dear Mam,

This is commendable to know you are planning to restart your career. This calls for the celebration :)

Few things you can consider-

Update your skills as per the industry you are looking at so that you are better prepared for the interviews.
Networking is very helpful. Start connecting with the individuals in the industry through professional platforms like linkedin or any other.
Address the career gap in your resume with a brief and positive explanation. Highlight any/all the skills you have developed during your time away, for example multitasking, time management, or organizational skills gained through managing a household or any other appropriate.
While you are looking for a permanent job also try other options like consulting or freelancing kind of work. This will help you gain practical experience to showcase.
Build your online presence by updating your linkedin profile and join relevant online groups per your industry.
While you are hunting for a job invest your time in learning new skills or completing the certifications which will also build your profile stronger.
Look for organizations who are hiring women specifically after a long bag. There are multiple organizations who run such programmes.
Importantly have patience and keep working towards meetings your dreams.

Hope this helps

To Your Success
Thanks and Regards
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a Skill or Attitude?

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4275 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 06, 2025

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My son is completing 12th. He is interested in Graphics design. What are the options in this field to study?
Ans: Pradeep Sir, Graphic design offers numerous career opportunities in advertising, branding, publishing, digital media, gaming, and animation. A Bachelor's Degree in Design (B.Des) in Graphic Design or Communication Design is a 4-year degree that provides in-depth knowledge of graphic design, typography, branding, and digital design. Top colleges offering B.Des include National Institute of Design (NID), MIT Institute of Design, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, UPES School of Design, and Anant National University. A Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts (BFA) in Applied Arts or Graphic Design is a 3-4 year course focusing on artistic skills along with graphic design. Diploma courses in Graphic Design are also available, such as MAAC, Arena Animation, Pearl Academy, and National Institute of Fashion Technology. Online graphic design courses can be a flexible option for flexibility. After completing studies, graphic designers can work in advertising agencies, branding and marketing firms, digital media and social media companies, e-commerce and IT companies, publishing and print media, gaming and animation (2D graphic designer), and freelance. IMPORTANT NOTE: As already March has started, it is advisable to apply for 3-4 entrance exams of concerned Colleges and also UCEED, NID-DAT, SEED, MIT-DAT, SEAT, NIFT, Pearl Academy etc. If your son wants to study in top government institutes, he should prepare for UCEED or NID DAT.
If he prefers top private design colleges, exams like SEED, MIT DAT, SEAT, UPES DAT, and Pearl Academy are good choices.
If he is open to fine arts-based programs, NIFT and BFA Applied Arts exams (like MH-AAC CET for J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai) are also good options. All the best for your Son's admissions, Pradeep Sir!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4275 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 06, 2025

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My daughter is in 12th and she wants to pursue design as her career not the fashion and interior one but on the IT side. Does this career option have a good career prospects. What are the good colleges where she can do her bachelor degree from which has good placements.
Ans: Tarunima Madam, It's great that your daughter is interested in pursuing a design career in the IT field.

The IT field, also known as UI/UX Design, Interaction Design, or Digital Product Design, offers excellent career prospects due to the growing demand for user-friendly digital products. Companies are actively seeking skilled designers who can create intuitive and aesthetically pleasing digital interfaces. The demand for UX/UI designers, product designers, and interaction designers is growing globally, with diverse opportunities in tech companies, startups, e-commerce platforms, banking & fintech, healthcare, and gaming. Top UI/UX designers in India and abroad earn competitive salaries, with entry-level packages ranging between ?6-12 LPA in top companies. This field also allows for freelance work and global job opportunities.

The demand for innovative designers will continue to grow with the rise of AI, AR/VR, and Web3 technologies. Top institutes in India for UI/UX & Interaction Design include the National Institute of Design (NID), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), IIT Guwahati, IIT Jabalpur, MIT Institute of Design, Sristi Institute of Art, Design and Technology, UPES, ISDI, Symbiosis Institute of Design, and Anant National University.

If you can afford and if your daughter is interested in studying abroad, globally renowned schools for UI/UX design include Carnegie Mellon University, Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons School of Design, Royal College of Art, University of Arts London, and TU Delft. Pursuing a career in IT-related design is a smart choice with excellent career growth. All the best for your daughter's admissions!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4275 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 06, 2025

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My son secure 97.03 percentile in jee main session 1 in general category can he get CSE in any NIT
Ans: Shashi Sir,

How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Once the January JEE Main session results are declared, many students and JEE applicants start asking common questions about eligibility for specific institutes (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, etc.) based on their percentile, category, preferred branch, and home state.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, and preparation strategies, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your Son's admissions!

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...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4275 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 05, 2025Hindi
Listen
Career
My son has got 99.6 percentile in JEE mains 2025 jan . What should be the possible options and priority of sequence ?
Ans: How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Once the January JEE Main session results are declared, many students and JEE applicants start asking common questions about eligibility for specific institutes (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, etc.) based on their percentile, category, preferred branch, and home state.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, and preparation strategies, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your son's admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |912 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Mar 05, 2025

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