HOW TO GET BACK TO WORK AFTER A CAREER BREAK?
Iryna Atamanenko ????
Life and Career Coach | Training Specialist | Learning & Development Professional
Paid Returnships: 21 Companies offering opportunities for skilled professionals to restart their careers
Sometimes, life happens, and you have to hit pause on your career.
I get it — I’ve been there. I’ve had my fair share of breaks.
There was the 10-month coaching certification, running my own career coaching practice, and an epic two-year journey across Mexico, to name a few. But the biggest game-changer? That was having my son, and later, my daughter.
These breaks weren’t just time off — they were life-changing and transformational.
The coaching program shifted my career from Sales and PR to HR — all self-financed. Running my own business honed my consulting, coaching, and mentoring skills, and taught me self-discipline. Traveling non-stop in Mexico taught me how to balance life and work like a pro. And giving birth to my two kids and keeping them alive made me a guru in multitasking and time management.
I’m grateful for every one of these gaps. They’ve given me skills you can’t get from a regular 9-to-5 job. But let’s be real: getting back into the job market after all these breaks? That’s a whole new challenge.
If you’re in the same boat, trying to re-enter the workforce after a career break, know that you’re not alone.
Good news —while some employers might see this as a drawback, not all of them do.
Many respected companies now have return-to-work programs to help experienced professionals come back. These programs, often called?Returnships.?They are specifically designed to help skilled specialists with a career gap get back on the professional stage.
What’s Returnship Program?
A returnship is something like an adult internships designed for professionals who want to restart their careers after a long break.
Such programs are a smart move for companies. They let businesses hire skilled professionals and save money on hiring costs.
These programs usually last 16–20 weeks and are tailored for people who’ve been out of work for at least a year. They provide training, mentoring, and project opportunities that match your skills and interests. A returnship can lead to full-time employment, but even if it doesn’t, the experience and networking are invaluable.
Exploring these opportunities can be your first step towards successfully re-entering the workforce and continuing your professional journey.
So, if you’re ready to get back to work, here’s a list of 21 companies that offer return-to-work programs:
Return-to-Work Programs in 2024
Allianz Insurance’s Returners Programme is UK based and welcomes professionals who have taken a career break and want to return to work.
It’s a six-month paid placement aimed at finding long-term talent and is for people who have been out of work for at least two years. To apply, submit an application for open vacancies.
Once you’ve submitted your application, email the Returner Team at?[email protected]?with your name, email, and the role you applied for, using ‘Returner Application’?in the subject line. This will help the team support your application.
2. Amazon — Returnship Program
Amazon EU Retail’s Returners Program supports those who have been out of the workplace for at least 18 months, helping them restart their careers and develop their skills in a progressive environment. The last program relaunched in 2024, applications closed on March, offering a six-month paid employment opportunity starting in June 2024.
For more information about all Amazon returnship programs worldwide, follow the link and check their job website by searching for “Returnship.”
3. Asana — AsanaUP Returnship
Asana’s AsanaUP Returnship program is for professionals who have been out of work for two or more years, have relevant experience, and want to rejoin the workforce.
Participants receive mentorship, training, and support, with the potential for full-time positions if they demonstrate success during the program. To apply, check the open Returnship positions.
4. Bank of America — Returning Talent Program
Bank of America’s Returning Talent Program welcomes those who have taken a career break for at least 12 months. The program includes new hire orientation and role training, professional skills training, banking business acumen courses and more.
To apply, you need prior experience or transferable skills and permanent US work authorization. Register for the open call by May 31st through this link:?2024 Bank of America Returning Talent Program. If qualified, a recruiter will reach out.
For future programs, check their events page for opportunities in your area.
5. Bank of England — Career Returners Programme
This program offers support throughout fixed-term contracts, with a high conversion rate to permanent roles. Applicants must complete an assessment process in order to gain a role and have had a career break of two or more years. The 2024/25 program will be launched soon. Further details shall follow in due course.
6. Boeing — Return Flight Program
Boeing’s Return Flight Program includes contract employment, mentorship, and development opportunities.
To apply to the Return Flight Program, select one of the opened job links that meets your area of experience and authorized work location. Submit your resume in PDF file format and label it with, “ReturnFlight_your name”.
7. Capgemini — Relaunch Programme
Capgemini’s Relaunch Programme supports professionals who have taken a career break of 18 months to 10 years with a 6-month program, coaching, and tailored learning plans. Review open opportunities by checking their careers page and searching “relaunch”.
8. Caterpillar — Engineering Returning Professionals Program?(RPP)
Caterpillar’s Returnship Program is a 6-month opportunity based in Cambridgeshire, UK, for engineers by degree or experience who have taken a career break. If you are interested, apply by July 31, 2024, through this link:?Caterpillar Returnship Program.
9. Deloitte — Encore Program
Deloitte’s Encore Program relaunched in 2024 in US-India Offices, welcoming applications from those who have taken a career break of 11 months to 3 years. To apply, check the available job opportunities tailored for Encore Program applicants.
10. Dell — Restart Program
Dell’s Restart 16-week paid returnship Program offers resume guidance, mentorship, and full-time opportunities for individuals with at least 5 years of experience who have been unemployed or underemployed for at least 12 months. To apply, join their Talent Network. Sign up to stay connected and apply to opportunities that match your skills.
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11. Ford — Re-Entry Program
Ford’s Re-Entry Program is a 6-month course focused on professional development, mentoring, networking, and exposure to senior management. It helps participants transition back into the workforce while learning about Ford and its culture.
To apply, contact the Re-Entry team at [email protected].
12. IBM — Tech Re-Entry Program
IBM’s program focuses on re-entry for tech professionals who have taken a break for at least 12 months. It is a 6 month fully paid returnship that offers learning programs, on-the-job projects, mentorship and could lead to full-time employment.
To apply check their career website and search for “Re-Entry”.
13. Microsoft — Leap Program
Microsoft Leap offers an immersive 16-week experience for those who have a base foundation of technical training. It combines in-classroom learning with hands-on engineering projects, working on real teams and products within organization such as Azure, Xbox, Bing, and Office365.
For more details and current openings, check the program page.
14. Morgan Stanley — Return to Work Program
Morgan Stanley’s program is for professionals who have been out of the workforce for a year or more.
The program lasts 12 to 16 weeks, running from March to June, with applications usually opening in mid-September. In 2024, programs were offered in various cities including Alpharetta, Baltimore, Bengaluru, Budapest, Chicago, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Jersey City, London, Mumbai, New York, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco.
For the next round, check their career website by searching “Return to Work Program” or monitor LinkedIn job postings.
15.NBCUniversal Act Two Career Relaunch Program
NBCUniversal’s Act Two Career Relaunch Program offers a 6-month paid role for professionals returning to work after a break for personal reasons like caregiving. Qualifications include 5+ years of experience in relevant fields, a break of at least 2 years, and willingness to work in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Los Angeles. Applicants must have unrestricted work authorization in the United States. Preferred qualifications include a technical degree, related experience, and technical certifications.
Click each returnship listing like the?Manager, Finance — Project role?or?Global Response & Intelligence Officer?for position requirements and details, and check their career webpage for future openings by searching “Act Two Returnship”.
16. PepsiCo — Ready to Return Program
PepsiCo’s Ready to Return Program is a 16-week paid returnship for professionals reentering the workforce after a caregiving break. The program is open to those with at least five years of experience who have been out of the workforce for two or more years. To apply, search for “Ready to Return” on their job site.
17. P&G — STEM ReLaunch Program
P&G’s ReLaunch program offers roles in STEM fields for professionals reentering the workforce after a break. Available in the US, Germany, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Philippines, Egypt, and Singapore, the program continuously updates with new opportunities. Applications are open and filled on a rolling basis. To find open positions, search for “P&G STEM RELAUNCH” on their career site.
18. Schneider Electric — reacHIRE Program
Schneider Electric supports professionals returning to the workforce through its 6-month, full-time, paid reacHIRE Program, offering both remote and in-office roles across the United States. Starting in mid-August, the program recruits candidates with various skills and provides comprehensive support, including interview and resume prep, training, and a dedicated Program Manager.
To apply, check the open positions on the program webpage.
19. JPMorgan Chase — ReEntry Program
JPMorgan Chase’s ReEntry Program designed for experienced professionals who have been on a career break for at least two years. The 15-week paid fellowship begins in March and ends in June, with a chance for permanent employment. Locations include major cities across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South America. Placements depend on business needs and candidate skills.
Follow JPMorgan Chase on Facebook or LinkedIn for application updates.
20. KPMG — Return to Work Program
KPMG has several open Return-to-Work programs in different locations that offer mentoring, coaching, and flexible working options to support individuals returning to work after extended career breaks.
KPMG RehireHER?in the UAE targets experienced female professionals who have taken career breaks for reasons like parenting or eldercare. This 6-month paid internship helps boost employability and upskill both technical and non-technical competencies. It offers a chance to transition back into a client-facing role with the potential for a permanent position at KPMG or to use the experience to move elsewhere. The program starts in September/October. To apply, find an open role on KPMG’s website and email your application confirmation to [email protected]. More details are?here.
KPMG Back to Business in Switzerland?is for experienced professionals returning to work after several years, such as for parenting or eldercare. It provides on-the-job and off-the-job learning opportunities, comprehensive onboarding, and flexible working options, including part-time. To apply, visit the experienced hires section on KPMG’s website. More details are?here.
Programs in other locations are currently on pause, but you can check for future openings on KPMG’s career site. More information and current vacancies are?here.
21. Zoox, Inc — The Path Forward Return to Work Program
Zoox’s Return to Work program offers a 16-week paid returnship in 2024 for caregivers returning to the workforce. Participants receive mentorship and may transition to full-time employment. The program is open to professionals with at least five years of experience who have taken a break of two or more years. To apply, search for “Returnship” on their career website:?Zoox Careers.
I crafted this list from the information available on the official company sites as of May 2024.
Please check their websites for updates.
Additionally, platforms like?Path Forward?and?Career Returners?are?dedicated to helping individuals find returnship opportunities.
These platforms update information regularly and partner with various companies to support returners.
So if you’re ready to go back to work, consider these programs.
When applying, be honest about your history and reasons for pursuing the job. Look for options that suit your commitments and ensure the returnship aligns with your career goals. Keep an eye on programs that might not be available now, and apply directly to positions with a cover letter explaining your interest in returning to work.
With determination and the right approach, you can successfully navigate your return to the workforce. Remember, there’s a perfect job for everyone — keep your eyes open and stay optimistic.
Have you ever participated in a program like this, or do you know of any companies offering returnship opportunities for professionals with career gaps that aren’t listed? Please share this information in the comments. I would gladly update the article to make it more useful for job seekers.
#CareerBreak #Returnship #BackToWork Programs
Iryna Atamanenko ???? This is such a useful document to share with professionals looking to return to work. STEM Returners partner with STEM host organisations to provide paid, short-term returner placement opportunities, enabling professionals to reintegrate into the workforce with confidence and support. After the programme, 96% of our returners secure permanent positions within their host organisations. All current opportunities can be found here: https://www.stemreturners.com/placements/ Iryna Atamanenko ???? - Every year we launch an annual piece of research, The STEM Returners Index. This annual survey enables STEM Returners to further understand the barriers people face, track the progress UK STEM industries are making, and shine a light on the change needed to create fair opportunities for all. If any of your network have had a career break from STEM or are looking to re-enter the industry, we invite them to share their experiences with us by completing our short survey. https://online1.snapsurveys.com/interview/77a2341e-3e4d-4793-9187-a94a3d78fc41
????? ?? Zoox
8 个月Searching for a job
UX/UI designer. Wordpress. Marketing digital.
9 个月great article and useful information !!!