Feb 6
/
Richa Bansal
How to Land a $200K+ Leadership Role After a Career Break

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If I were preparing for a $200k+ role after a career gap, here’s exactly what I’d do.
I speak to a lot of women who took a break, and most of them assume they need to start from the bottom again.
But that’s not true.
- A break doesn’t erase the years of experience you’ve built.
- It doesn’t make you less capable.
- And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of a high-paying, senior role.
However, most recruiters and hiring managers often look at gaps as a red flag.
Their biggest worry is if you are still in touch with the industry.
So if I were preparing for a $200k+ role after a career break, here’s how I’d do it:
1) Build a strong mindset
I’d never settle for less just because I’ve been out of the workforce.
The experience, leadership, and results I’ve delivered still hold value.
A gap isn’t what defines my career - what I do next is.
2) Bridge the gap in my resume
I’d highlight how I stayed engaged - whether through certifications, pro bono work, consulting projects, or volunteering.
Hiring managers need to see that I never truly stepped away from growth.
3) Reignite my network
I’d reach out to former colleagues, managers, and industry peers a few months before actively starting to apply.
The best opportunities don’t always come from job boards - they come from conversations
4) Sharpen my interviewing skills
After spending more than a decade in the industry, I've learned confidence is everything.
I’d do as many mock interviews as I can to get comfortable answering tough questions about my career gap and my value as a candidate. The goal is to sound natural and impactful.
5) I won’t accept an offer without negotiating
I’d never undersell myself simply because I took a break. I’ll negotiate hard and ask for my market worth.
6) I’d work with a career coach
The most successful leaders and athletes have coaches too.
I’d stop wasting time in trial and error and find a coach to help me refine my positioning, rebuild confidence, and create a strategy to land the right role.
I’d stop wasting time in trial and error and find a coach to help me refine my positioning, rebuild confidence, and create a strategy to land the right role.
This is exactly the roadmap one of my clients followed when she returned to work after taking a 3-year career break to care for her young family.
RESULT: She landed a Senior Audit Manager role with HP within 90 days of working together. (screenshot attached in the comments)
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P.S. If you’re ready to land your next big role and want a step-by-step plan to make it happen, apply for The Fearless Hire. It’s my signature career accelerator for ambitious women who want to stop limiting themselves and build a high-impact, high-paying career.
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Whenever you are ready, here are 3 ways I can help:
1. THE FEARLESS HIRE: The only career accelerator for mid-senior women that are ready to land their next $150k - $400k job offer. Get the proven playbook, personalized coaching, and accountability you need to build your career on your own timeline, and become recession-proof.
2. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: The only women's leadership accelerator for mid-senior women across the Government of Canada. This 6-month leadership program will give you the confidence, skills and network you need to fast-track your growth to executive roles.
3. PARTNER WITH PINKCAREERS: Bring our award-winning keynotes, training and women's leadership programs to your organization to solidify your DEIB efforts.
3. PARTNER WITH PINKCAREERS: Bring our award-winning keynotes, training and women's leadership programs to your organization to solidify your DEIB efforts.
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