The returners' journey: Break to breakthrough
We’re FDM, an award-winning global business and technology consultancy. For over 30 years we’ve been powering the people behind tech and innovation. We collaborate with world-leading companies to identify the expertise they need, exactly when they need it. We have helped successfully launch nearly 25,000 careers globally and are a trusted partner to over 300 companies worldwide.
Growing skills gaps, wage wars and increasing economic uncertainty means businesses are having to take innovative approaches to hiring in 2024. ‘Career returners’ or ‘returners to work’ are a largely untapped group of individuals with a wealth of experiences, skills and ideas. In this month’s edition of fast4ward in tech, we will be exploring what make a returner a returner, the value in taking a career break, the importance of returners to businesses and career stories from individuals who have re-entered the workforce and are now thriving.
🥁 Here’s what to expect:
Who are returners?
A returner refers to an experienced professional re-entering the workforce after an extended career break, typically due to reasons like parenting, caregiving, or personal development. The FDM Returners Programme is designed to support these individuals as they return to work. It offers specialised coaching and mentoring to help returners refresh their skills, update their knowledge and gain industry-recognised qualifications.
Returning to work after an extended period can be daunting. Many returners face challenges like outdated skills and a lack of familiarity with current industry trends. However, returner programmes provide a structured path to overcome these hurdles, offering opportunities to explore new career paths in technology, business, or innovation. For instance, many returners successfully transition into roles such as business analysis, project management, or product ownership.
The FDM Returners Programme, which has launched over 500 careers globally since 2015, is an excellent example. It provides returners with the tools and support they need to rebuild their confidence and re-enter the workforce successfully. By leveraging their previous experience and acquiring new skills, returners can smoothly transition back into fulfilling careers in fast-growing industries.
Read more here.
A hello from Sarah Mavius
Sarah Mavius is the Head of the Returners Programme at FDM. With over 18 years’ Financial Services experience across front and middle office, over 10 years' of experience leading diverse, multi-generational teams across global remits and over seven years of experience working with returners, Sarah has been a huge support to individuals re-entering the workforce. Sarah has expertise in several areas including championing generationally diverse workforces, coaching and mentoring for different career stages and driving industry change in creating a ‘middle pipeline for women leaders’.
The value of a career break
Whether an individual is taking a career break for personal or health reasons, there can be several benefits to taking a break from work.
A new outlook on life
Work often gets us into a routine and this can force you to live on autopilot, potentially missing out on valuable opportunities outside of your job. Whilst change can be a daunting prospect, whether it’s taking time out to focus on your personal life or to discover a different career trajectory, a break from routine can be for the best.
Expanding your skillset
A career break can often open doors to a new career. Without the distraction of full-time work and the benefit of more time on your hands, your sole focus can be studying or gaining new qualifications which could lead to new opportunities.
Spending quality time
We spend a lot of our lives working and this can compromise quality time with family and loved ones . Often, weekends and annual leave may be the only chance we get for this personal time and so taking a step back from work can be the remedy for this.
What returners can offer your business
Career returners usually bring several years of industry-knowledge, skills and experience to a role. This allows them to seamlessly integrate into most teams and hit the ground running without much supervision. Let’s look at some of the benefits hiring returners can have on businesses.
Discover more information about how hiring returners boosts business productivity.
Career breaks
If you're considering taking a career break, here are some valuable tips to help guide you through the process:
1. Reflect on your current career
Before stepping away, take time to assess where you are in your career. Reflect on your accomplishments, challenges and overall job satisfaction. Consider whether you're approaching a promotion or evaluation and how your break may affect this. Think about the direction you want your career to take and how this break fits with your long-term ambitions.
2. Have a back-up plan
When planning a career break, it's essential to have a contingency plan. Unforeseen events, such as changes in your industry or personal life, like a growing family, can arise. A well-thought-out back-up strategy will help you navigate these unexpected challenges while keeping your career objectives on track. Consider options like a side gig or alternative income sources to provide financial stability in case circumstances change.
3. Build a strong professional network
Maintaining and growing your professional network is crucial during a break. Stay connected with colleagues, mentors and industry contacts even while you're away from work. These connections can offer valuable support, advice and opportunities when you're ready to return to your career.
4. Upskill during your break
Use your time-off to invest in learning new skills. Take courses, earn certifications, or attend workshops that align with your career goals. By upskilling, you’ll stay competitive and boost your confidence, making it easier to transition back into the workforce.
5. Document your journey
Keep a record of your experiences during your career break. Document milestones, reflections and lessons learned. This can serve as a valuable tool when you return, showcasing personal and professional growth, as well as the skills you’ve gained, something you can highlight in your resume and interviews. There’s no single path to taking a career break, but here are a few steps to guide you on how to go about it.
6. Inform your employer
Openly discuss your decision with your employer, outlining your intentions and leaving room for possible adjustments to your plans. Some companies may offer sabbaticals or other incentives to retain you. Weigh these options carefully, but stay focused on what you need from the break.
7. Get your finances in order
Make sure your finances are in check before taking time off. Create a budget to cover the period without a steady income and explore alternative revenue streams if necessary. Reducing expenses and reassessing insurance policies can help alleviate financial pressure.
8. Clarify your career break goals
Define clear goals for your career break, whether that involves travel, personal growth, or family planning. Create a structured plan outlining steps toward these objectives and regularly assess your progress to ensure you’re making the most of your time.
9. Plan for your return
While your focus should be on your break, take some time to think about your return to work. Decide if you want to go back to a similar role, pursue a career change, or start your own business. Having a clear plan will help you transition smoothly when it’s time to re-enter the workforce.
10. Fully engage in your career break
Embrace your time-off as a valuable opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally. Make the most of it, whether you’re learning new skills or simply recharging. Remember, this break was a conscious decision, so use it to its fullest potential.
Read more here.
At FDM, we support individuals who have taken career breaks by offering career development programmes designed to update their skills and help them return to work confidently. No matter how long your break has been, we’re dedicated to getting you back on track with all the resources you need to thrive. So how do you return to work?
Returning to the workplace
Here are our top tips to help ease your transition back to the workplace:
1. Assess your strengths
The first step in returning to work is to carefully evaluate your situation and determine the direction you want your career to take. It’s tempting to rush back into the job market and accept the first offer that comes along, but patience is crucial. Take time to consider your skills, weaknesses and past experiences. Look for a role that offers opportunities for growth and learning within your field and plays to your strengths.
Keep an open mind and set realistic goals. While you may not immediately land a senior position, remember that with persistence and a positive attitude, you can work your way up. Don’t let setbacks discourage you.
2. Explore volunteering or work experience
Recommended by LinkedIn
Volunteering is an excellent way to rebuild your confidence and put your skills into practice before re-entering the job market. Tackling new challenges and responsibilities can be highly rewarding and can also help you upskill. Plus, volunteer experience is a valuable addition to your CV and can be a great talking point in interviews.
Consider volunteering at schools, animal shelters, soup kitchens, or other NGOs where your skills can make a significant impact.
3. Update your CV
Before you start applying for jobs, make sure your CV is up to date. There’s no need to hide your career break. In fact, you can use it to highlight any skills or experiences gained during your time away, even if they aren’t directly related to the job you’re seeking. For example, if you travelled, you may have developed strong interpersonal skills or learned a new language. If you spent time raising a family, you likely honed your multitasking and stress management skills.
For more tips on updating your CV, check out our guide on getting back to business here.
4. Leverage professional networking
Reach out to former colleagues, clients, friends and family to let them know you’re ready to return to work. They might be able to help by informing you of job openings, providing references, or passing your CV along to someone who can set up an interview.
It’s also a good idea to update your social media and professional platform profiles to stay active online and connect with other professionals. This will keep you informed about industry news and job opportunities.
5. Use your break to update your skills
It’s never too late to learn new skills or earn new qualifications. Consider exploring a new area of expertise, signing up for online courses, or even pursuing a postgraduate degree. There are countless ways to expand your skill set and boost your confidence before re-entering the workforce. Our blog on retraining at 40 offers more insights here.
6. Build a support group
Surround yourself with people who are in similar situations and can offer support. This could be a WhatsApp group for parents, an in-person returners discussion group, or a weekly video call with fellow mature students. Sharing experiences and tips with others can make the process much more enjoyable.
7. Consider a phased return
Sometimes, a gradual return to work is more manageable than diving in full-time. If you feel you need time to adjust, consider starting with part-time hours or working from home a few days a week. Discuss this option with your new employer to see if it’s feasible.
8. Prepare for Interviews
It’s normal to feel a bit out of practice when it comes to interviews, but there are plenty of ways to prepare. Practise answering common interview questions, especially those related to your career break. Be ready to explain what you did during your time away and why you’re now ready to return to work. Research the company you’re applying to, understand its values and familiarise yourself with the role and industry.
Focus on sounding natural and confident. At FDM, like many other companies, we conduct strength-based interviews that emphasise your strengths and passions over past experiences. For more interview preparation tips, see our FDM interview advice here.
9. Explore Returners to Work programmes
In addition to applying for regular jobs, consider joining a return-to-work programme designed specifically for professionals coming back after a long break. These programmes offer training and career advice to help you bridge the gap and re-enter the workforce with confidence.
The FDM Returners Programme offers experienced professionals the chance to rejoin the workforce after a career break with expert coaching, mentoring and assignments with our clients. We also provide returning to work looks different for everyone, so it’s important to find what works best for you. Whether you prefer to start part-time, work remotely, or ease into a full-time role, FDM is here to help. Watch our videos to see how we’ve assisted others in successfully returning to work.
Find out more about our Returners Programme here.
Re-enter the world of work
We believe the best insights come directly from the talent themselves. Since 2015, over 500 individuals have successfully returned to work through our programme. Hear from four of them as they share their challenges, the opportunities they embraced and the successes they achieved after their career breaks.
Re-enter the world of work movie. Watch here.
Hear Haripriya's story about restarting her career with confidence. Watch here.
Hear Anthony’s story on discovering the power of his skill set here. Watch here.
Hear Will’s story about how he got back into the workplace mindset. Watch here.
Hear Giusi’s story about how she regained professional balance. Watch here.
We are hiring!
Ireland, are you ready to restart your tech career after a break? Apply here 📌
We are taking part in Leeds Digital Fest
We're excited to announce that we will be taking part in the Leeds Digital Festival 2024.
Since our journey in Leeds began in 2009, we have started over 1,671 new careers and worked with over 91 businesses. To continue our support for the city, we're hosting three insightful sessions for both business and students designed to educate our community in the latest business and tech trends.
For employers:
For students:
25th Sept - Career kickstarter: Student tech bootcamp.
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✉ Book a Discovery Session to find out how hiring returners can boost your businesses productivity and create a workforce of diverse, talented people.
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