In today’s fast-paced world, career breaks have become incredibly common. Marriage, motherhood, relocation, health, or personal situations — life often demands that women pause their professional journey. But the real challenge begins when they want to restart.
“Where do I begin?”
“Who will give me a job after a gap?”
“Do I still have the skills?”
“Will companies take me seriously?”
These are the questions thousands of women struggle with every single day.
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In a powerful and heartfelt conversation on The HJ Show, podcast host Harsh Joshi sits down with Pooja Bhanushali, the founder of Prodigy Placement, to decode one of the most important topics of our times — Women restarting their careers after a break.
With over 10 years of recruitment and staffing experience, Pooja brings unmatched clarity on how women can rebuild confidence, upskill, and restart their careers with the right guidance.
Who is Pooja Bhanushali?
A recruitment industry expert with a decade of experience, Pooja has helped countless candidates across Pharma, IT, Manufacturing, HR, and multiple other sectors. Through her company Prodigy Placement, she bridges the gap between job seekers and companies by providing:
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Refined & verified candidate data
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3–4 levels of screening
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Only the top 5% talent shortlisted for clients
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Speed + accuracy in hiring
But beyond recruitment, her mission is deeper — empowering women to restart their careers after long breaks.
The Reality of Career Breaks for Women
Pooja highlights something very important —
Women don’t lose their skills. They lose their confidence.
And this lack of confidence is not because they are incompetent; it’s a result of constant societal pressure.
Women are often asked questions like:
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“Tumhare husband kama rahe hain… tumhe kyun job chahiye?”
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“Itne saal baad kaun job dega?”
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“Career gap explain kaise karogi?”
These statements discourage them even before they begin.
Pooja emphasizes that the real challenge is not skill — it is mindset.
Once a woman starts believing she can restart, half the journey is already won.
Why Recruitment Is the Best Career Option for Women Restarting
One of the strongest insights from the episode is Pooja’s perspective on Recruitment as a career for women.
She explains that recruitment is:
✔ Flexible
Work from home, freelance, part-time — everything is possible.
✔ Skill-focused, not degree-focused
Communication, people understanding, and multitasking — skills most women naturally excel in.
✔ Easy to learn
Even homemakers and teachers can transition smoothly into recruitment.
✔ Growing industry
Every company needs recruiters — Pharma, IT, Retail, Manufacturing, Startups… everyone.
Recruitment is not just a job.
It’s a practical, high-demand skill that gives women independence, confidence, and identity — all from the comfort of their home.
Skill vs Degree — What Matters More?
One of the most powerful takeaways from the podcast:
For career restart, skills matter more than degrees.
Instead of worrying about outdated qualifications, women should focus on:
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Learning new tools
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Taking short courses
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Understanding hiring processes
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Practicing communication skills
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Improving task management & confidence
A small investment in skill-building creates a massive difference in career opportunities.
Turning a Career Gap Into a Strength
Women often feel guilty about their gap years.
But Pooja explains beautifully —
Your gap is not a weakness. It’s evidence of your strength.
During a break, women develop:
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Patience
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Responsibility
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Multitasking
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Emotional intelligence
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Crisis handling
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Time management
All these are powerful professional qualities.
Prodigy Placement even trains women to present their career gap as a strength during interviews, not as a setback.
The Biggest Mistake Women Make During Career Restart
Pooja highlights a crucial point:
Women rush to find a job first.
But the correct order is:
1. Work on yourself
✔ Rebuild confidence
✔ Learn one relevant skill
✔ Understand the current job market
2. Then start searching for jobs
With clarity, confidence, and direction.
This simple shift drastically increases the chance of getting the right job, not just any job.
Why Women Must Return to the Workforce
This episode isn’t just about jobs — it’s about identity, empowerment, and financial independence.
Women restarting their careers:
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Boost family income
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Gain emotional stability
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Build self-worth
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Become role models for children
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Create social and economic impact
As Pooja says —
“Your break doesn’t define you. Your comeback does.”
Prodigy Placement — Bridging Two Worlds
Prodigy Placement isn’t a typical recruitment agency.
It acts as a bridge between:
Companies struggling to find job-ready talent
and
Women struggling to restart their careers
By screening candidates through multiple levels, the company ensures:
🔹 Companies get quality talent faster
🔹 Candidates get opportunities that fit their potential
It’s a win-win system in an industry that rarely focuses on women professionals returning to work.
The Bigger Message — Your Career Can Restart Anytime
Whether a woman took a break for:
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Marriage
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Motherhood
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Health
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Family responsibilities
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Relocation
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Personal choices
Her career is not over.
Today’s world offers limitless opportunities — online work, freelance projects, HR roles, recruitment job, customer support, etc.
All it takes is the right guidance.
Final Thoughts — A Must-Watch Episode for Every Woman
The conversation between Harsh Joshi and Pooja Bhanushali is emotional, eye-opening, and deeply motivating.
It is not just a podcast —
It’s a message of hope.
A message to every woman who ever doubted herself:
You can restart your career.
You can rebuild your confidence.
You can create a new version of yourself.
And if you need direction, platforms like Prodigy Placement are here to guide you at every step.
Watch the Full Episode on The HJ Show
For more inspiring stories, practical advice, and real-world experiences, follow:
🌐 Website: www.thehjshow.com
📸 Instagram: @harshjoshiofficial
▶️ YouTube: Harsh Joshi – The HJ Show
Because your journey matters — and your comeback will inspire the world.

