Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin have written an easy to understand return to work guide, their tips and suggestions are sensible and doable. The books tongue-in-cheek introduction, Our Journey from Playdough to Real Dough, is aptly titled. Cohen and Rabin are capable coaches who address just about any “returning to work”, issues you may have and those you have not thought of. If you are almost sure that you want to go back to work, but unsure how and where to start the process of re-entering the job market, I suggest that you start with this book. The authors help to make the re-entry process easier because they have been there, done that; and willingly share their knowledge.

Each chapter is like a stepping-stone to a successful second career. The contents are divided into two parts, (I) The Seven Steps to Relaunch Success and, (II) The Relaunch Movement and Beyond. By the time you are finished reading Part I, you can start deciding on the color of your new interview suit. The dead-on recommendations in Chapter 4, Update Your Professional and Job Search Skills, and Prepare for the Interview, are worth the price of the book. It is much like having a trusted mentor give you guidance and advice.

Women who where not on the fast track before they became stay-at-home-moms will find Back on the Career Track helpful, Cohen and Rabin offer solid on-target career coaching for everyone. The reference notes and resource section in this career guide is invaluable. Recommended.

... authors Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin speak to the more than 2 million college-educated stay-at-home moms in the United States and provide step-by-step advice.
However, the book isn’t just a binky and blanket to soothe the anxieties of the full-time mother, nor is it the same old argument that staying home with children is better than working outside the home...

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Back on the Career Track looks at going back to work after being a stay at home Mom from a variety of different perspectives. Readers are encouraged to ask themselves those really hard questions like do you really want to go back to work, what are your reasons for going back to work, do you have the time to go back to work, and how supportive is your family about the venture?

With these questions out of the way, the reader then looks to what kind of work they want to do. The shear amount of options can be somewhat overwhelming. Do they want to return to the job that they had before they had children or do they want to start a new career? Do they want to work full time, part time, flex hours, shift work, per project, etc?

With those important issues out of the road, the real problems begin. How do you make a resume that looks professional when you have a ten year gap missing? How do you start networking again? How do you regain your skills? How do you deal with supervisors that are the same age as your kids? Check out Back on the Career Track it will reduce the anxiety and give you a lot of great advice.

Authors Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin ask readers to honestly analyze their reasons for a RElaunch, their term for this new stage in a woman's life. Why do you want to return to work? Have you been home longer than you thought you'd be when you quit your job to stay home with the baby? Do you miss the accomplishments from your career? The reasons for returning to work can be numerous, but start your job search by knowing what you will gain.

Consider how a job – and your time away from home – will affect your children and your spouse. This question is not asked to tug at mother's guilt; career moms will need to prepare a new family schedule. What changes are necessary for you to work outside the home? The new schedule may mean you are not available when your kids arrive home from school or when they start homework. Are you ready to turn over the kids' care, as well as some of the household's activities, to other people? Some mothers realize they do not want to lose the flexibility of their current stay-at-home schedule. Other moms report surprise in losing support from their previous at-home mom friendships once they return to their careers.

Do you think you're ready to return to the workforce? Take the RElaunch Readiness Quiz, which consists of “Appetite for Work”, “Child and Elder Care Responsibilities” and “Spousal/Other Family Support”. Back on the Career Track helps you RElaunch in seven detailed steps. The second half of the book highlights inspirational RElaunchers, the RElaunch movement and its future, like working part time, extended leave and job sharing.

Cohen and Rabin have turned their successful RElaunches into a guide that is rich in solid advice along with inspirational examples of famous RElaunchers like Sandra Day O'Connor. Helpful resources, sample resumes, and recommended books round out the guide. Back on the Career Track is easy to read yet includes an in-depth amount of information. Readers will surely find areas or questions that hadn't occurred to them when they thought of returning to work. Grab highlighters and sticky notes as you delve into this book. Back on the Career Track will be an indispensable resource for your successful transition from home to work.