HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Episode: Mailbag: “Can I Pivot Careers Without Starting Over?” Tips for Working Moms and Career Changers
Guest: Maha Abu Elinain
Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This special mailbag episode dives into navigating career transitions—especially for women facing layoffs, new motherhood, or the search for extra income amid changing circumstances. Host Jean Chatzky is joined by Maha Abu Elinain, renowned communications strategist and author of "7 Rules of Self Reliance," to answer real-life listener questions. Their candid conversation delivers practical advice on pivots, personal branding, networking, and creative solutions for working moms and career changers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What To Do After a Layoff (Big Tech Edition)

Listener Concern:
Recently laid off from a big tech company, the listener wonders what tasks are most time-sensitive while she still has access to company resources.

Advice from Maha Abu Elinain (03:05):

• “You’ve done all the right things for the company side, but now it’s time for you to build your personal brand and think about your life after this company.”
• Focus next on visibility and presence, especially on LinkedIn and other networks.
• Start building relationships, engage with your network, and narrate your career story.
• “People who are invisible are not visible” (03:28). Now is not the time to hide; leverage your skills and achievements publicly.
• Share hot takes and insights in your industry; this provides potential employers a window into your thinking and skills (04:36).
• You don't need to become an “influencer”—just start sharing what you know.

Notable Quote:

“People want your ideas and your insights more than you think they do... See something happening in the news related to the tech industry and say why this is important. People are going to be looking to hire you, so they’re going to want to know: how do you think, what are your skills, and what insights can you share? Start doing it.”
— Maha Abu Elinain (00:02 & 04:36)

Jean’s Support:

• Don’t feel shame—so many successful people have been fired or laid off. “It is a badge of honor. You haven’t lived until you’ve been fired or laid off.” (04:59)

2. How to Find a Less Stressful Career After Motherhood

Listener Concern:
New mother Christine, a civil engineer, is worried about the stress level of her previous job and financial constraints of extending her leave.

Advice from Maha (06:16):

• Remote work is more viable than ever.

  “My entire company... we’re all remote.” (06:18)

• Skills like problem solving, project management, and communication are highly transferable.
• Use online job boards for gig/project work, but your existing network and LinkedIn are the most powerful places to start.
• Be visible about what kind of work you’re seeking and what you’re skilled at.
• Start with storytelling—share your expertise honestly and openly.

Notable Quote:

“People hire for skills today. They’re not looking for titles. They’re looking at skills that can transfer.”
— Maha Abu Elinain (06:31)

Navigating Current Job Risks (07:34):

• If you can’t be public, reach out quietly to your network for extra work or new opportunities.

  “The value of knowing how to build a relationship and having your own network is key.” (07:51)

Jean Adds:

• Consider negotiating a lower-stress arrangement with your current employer—remote, part-time, or adjusting responsibilities—especially in a tough job market. (08:29)

3. Finding a Side Gig for Extra Income

Listener Concern:
A listener needs a second job to pay off unexpected debts but can’t work in legal, retail, or food service, at least for several months. She’s skilled at creating documents, spreadsheets, web/fact research, and summarizing data.

Advice from Maha (11:14):

• Explore online platforms like Stan Store to market your services directly (e.g., document creation, research, coaching).
• Opportunities are abundant for freelancers; promote your skills and services through your network or social media where appropriate.
• Consider developing a video course to teach others your niche skills, creating passive income streams.

Notable Quote:

“People want to buy your services and people need your help and want to hire contractors and freelancers... You can start selling your services. There’s so much access out there now. The Internet is abundant with opportunity.”
— Maha Abu Elinain (11:24)

Additional Platforms Mentioned for Courses & Coaching (12:29):

• Kajabi, Stan Store, School

Jean’s Suggestion:

• If you have a specific niche, “you could actually create a course where you teach other people to do it and you put that course on video.” (12:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Personal Branding Post-Layoff:
  “You were a person who has skills, who has power, who has knowledge. Now you’re just going to take it elsewhere.”
  — Maha Abu Elinain (03:41)

• On Making Yourself Visible:
  “People who are invisible are not visible.”
  — Maha Abu Elinain (03:28)

• On the Value of Network:
  “It’s the people that you serve over time that are willing to serve you when you need it.”
  — Maha Abu Elinain (07:58)

• On Entrepreneurship and Freelancing Opportunity:
  “The Internet is abundant with opportunity and people want to buy your services and people need your help and want to hire contractors and freelancers.”
  — Maha Abu Elinain (11:24)

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |--------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Maha’s advice on sharing ideas publicly | | 01:34 | First listener question: post-layoff steps | | 03:28 | Maha: Importance of visibility | | 04:59 | Jean: No shame in being laid off/fired | | 05:34 | Christine’s “less stressful career” question | | 06:18 | Leveraging remote work and transferable skills| | 07:51 | Navigating discreet job search | | 08:29 | Adjusting current jobs to lower stress | | 11:14 | Listener on needing a second job/gig | | 12:11 | Creating courses for passive income | | 12:29 | Platforms for coaching and selling courses |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Jean and Maha create a frank, empowering, and positive space for women in transitional moments—whether by necessity or by choice. Their consistent messages:

• Leverage your skills and accomplishments
• Invest in your network and visibility
• Don’t shrink after setbacks—own your journey
• Use today’s flexible work and digital opportunities
• Take incremental, smart steps when uncertain

Listeners leave with practical strategies, encouragement, and a renewed sense of control over their career paths.