In our second of three posts on returner programmes, we’re going to delve into Supported Hiring: what it is, the pros and cons, where you can find opportunities and how to create your own opportunities.
What is Supported Hiring?
Supported Hiring is a supportive route back to a permanent role for experienced professionals who have taken an extended career break (usually a minimum of 12-18 months). Returners receive a wrapper of support through the first six to twelve months, specifically designed to smooth the return to work transition.
How is it structured?
In some cases, supported hiring is run as a programme, with multiple roles available and centralised employer support. Returners may start as a cohort, on one date in the year. However, more often, supported hiring operates on a rolling basis, with opportunities on offer through the year. Some employers invite returners to apply for all open vacancies.
Alternatively, supported hiring may be on offer for an ad-hoc, one-off role with an employer. These roles are often with small or medium sized companies, who recognise the value of the returner talent pool but do not have the volume of recruitment for an annual programme.
What support is provided?
The type and level of support differs from employer to employer. With Career Returners Employer partners, you will receive our Career Returners Coaching Programme (identified by the green badge on the advert on our opportunities page). This is delivered either 1:1 or in a small group if you join as part of a cohort. Larger employers will also allocate a buddy to help you to settle in, a mentor and technical training to help fill any knowledge or skills gaps due to your career break.
Pros and cons of supported hiring
- As the job is permanent from the outset, you don’t have the uncertainty of ongoing employment of a returnship
- Where the programme is a rolling one, the employer may talent pool returners, enabling them to have instant access to reach out directly when they have a vacancy that they feel may be a match. And they may even be inspired to create a new role based on the skillsets that they find within the pool
- Supported hiring roles are less likely to be ‘ringfenced’ for returners, so you’re more likely to be competing against other external and internal candidates
- You are less likely to start with a cohort of returners, although you may be introduced to other returners at the organisation and you can now find peer support in the Post-Breaker group in our Career Returners Community hub
Where can you find current supported hiring programmes and roles?
You’ll find details of all Career Returners current partner programmes and roles on our website here. You can also see details of programmes run in previous years. Bookmark the page and keep it on an opportunities checklist so that you are first to see new programme launches.
What if there aren’t any Supported Hiring options in my area/sector/country?
- If an organisation you’re interested in is running a programme, but not currently in your business area. Send a speculative application to the contact email, setting out why you’re interested in the organisation the problems you solve and/or experience you bring
- If you’re interested in a global employer that is running a programme outside of your country. Write a speculative application to the local in-country team and ask if they would consider applications in your country of residence. You have nothing to lose, and it may just catch their interest!
- If you’re interested in a company which has run programmes in the past, but not this year. Contact them speculatively with a tailored letter and CV. They may consider you for open business-as-usual roles or add your CV to their talent pool, to contact you as and when a position materialises
- If you find your own role, but the company doesn’t provide support, you can organise coaching directly with Career Returners (email coach@careerreturners.com)
To find out about returnships, see our previous post here
