Let’s talk about a word that doesn’t usually get enough airtime in professional circles: part-time. Or, more accurately, the perception of it. Because here’s the truth: part-time doesn’t mean part-skilled, part-driven, or part-impactful.
In my recent podcast episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Elizabeth Willetts—a force of nature, a mom, a recruiter with 17+ years of experience, and the founder of Investing in Women, a job board and community helping professionals find part-time and flexible roles that still feel big, bold, and meaningful.
And yes, I called her a badass. She blushed. I meant it.
Our conversation was packed with straight talk about what’s broken in the system and what women can do to navigate it anyway. Because while we shouldn’t have to keep reinventing the wheel every time we re-enter the workforce or ask for flexibility, we often do. And that’s where the opportunity lies.
Elizabeth and I unpacked how, even post-COVID, many companies still don’t fully get the value of part-time employees. These are often women with deep expertise, insane productivity, and limited time. You think they’re going to waste a second of it in back-to-back fluff meetings? Not a chance.
Hiring part-time can unlock real ROI—but only if leadership understands that value isn’t measured in 40-hour workweeks.
Women often hesitate to raise their hands unless they meet every bullet on a job posting. They worry about resume gaps. They worry they’re not “career driven enough” because they want flexibility. And then they apologize for it all.
Elizabeth sees it all the time. So do I.
We need to stop wrapping ribbons around our insecurities. A gap doesn’t define your worth. And “just being a mom” is never just anything.
The career advice Elizabeth dropped was gold: Don’t wait for someone to notice your greatness—document it. Build your “brag book.” Keep a record of what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished, and how you’ve moved the needle. Because if you don’t bring it to the table, no one else is going to do it for you.
Here’s another mic-drop moment from Elizabeth: If you wouldn’t spend the money on a stamp to apply for that job, don’t bother clicking send.
Translation? Be intentional. Don’t apply for 100 jobs you don’t want. Apply for the five that light you up and go all-in.
Connect. Follow up. Build relationships with people in your target companies or industries. It’s not about volume—it’s about value.
Elizabeth’s parting wisdom hit me hard. She said, “Life’s too short not to try.” Whether it’s starting your own business, going back to school, or simply asking for what you’re worth, you owe it to yourself to go for it.
As she put it so beautifully, “You might be one decision away from completely changing your life.”
I’ll say it again for the people in the back: You. Might. Be. One. Decision. Away.
So, if you’re sitting on an idea, a goal, a shift you want to make—consider this your sign.
And if you need some inspiration, listen to the episode. Elizabeth is the real deal, and our conversation was as candid, empowering, and energizing as they come.
Let’s keep amplifying possibility—for ourselves, and for the women coming up behind us.
~ Monique