FAQ: What Are Returnships?

A returner is an experienced professional coming back into the workforce after a career break. 

Returnships are a specific type of return-to-work program designed for mid-career professionals coming back into the workforce after a career break. These programs offer paid positions that provide returners with an opportunity to refresh their skills, update their resume with new experience, make connections, and contribute to a team. 

Returnship programs are similar in spirit to college internship programs, which are hiring pathways for students and early career professionals. Like college internships, returnships emphasize learning, development, and the gaining (and regaining) of skills and experience. Unlike college internships, returnships are for mid-career professionals with experience. 

Some returnship programs offer temp-to-perm positions that are typically 4-6 months long and include transition support, with the possibility of converting to full time at the conclusion of the program. Others offer direct hire positions, with a defined period of transition support.

Path Forward partners with forward-thinking employers who are committed to thinking differently about talent. We work with employers to identify job opportunities and put into place a selection process based on experience, skills, and potential rather than recent work history. 

Once returners are accepted into a company’s returnship program, Path Forward provides extensive transition support to ensure the experience is a successful one for both returners and employers. After an initial ramp-up period, these returners become high value team members and leaders for the companies they’ve joined.

Some returnship programs are structured as direct hire rather than temp-to-perm. There is no trial period, but there is usually a defined period of transition support.The employer’s job description will indicate when a returnship role is direct hire.

No. Path Forward is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people to restart their careers after time spent focused on caregiving. Today we fulfill this mission by providing free resources to people who are seeking to re-engage in the paid workforce and by partnering with employers to create returnships and other programs that give professionals a jump start back to paid work.

No. Our programs and resources are available to returners at no cost.

Great! We’re excited to have you on board. After you sign up, you’ll start receiving our Friday newsletter with a list of the newest returnship opportunities each week plus access to upcoming events, helpful career advice, and more. When one of our employer partners opens up new opportunities, we’ll let you know via our website, emails, newsletter, and social media. For details on how to apply for returnships, see “How do I apply for a returnship?” below.

Path Forward focuses on caregiving because it is the #1 reason why prime working age people aren’t active in the workforce – and they’re mainly women, by a 12:1 ratio. In addition, studies have shown there is significant bias in the hiring process against people who take career breaks specifically for the purpose of caregiving.

We are committed to overcoming the hiring stigma that makes returning to work a tough road for parents and other caregivers. Returnships bridge the gap between employers and highly qualified returners, particularly women.

Returnship opportunities are set aside for returners. A career gap is required. This means you are not applying alongside candidates who are currently in the workforce. 

Note: You may see positions listed on other websites that are “open to returners.” Experience tells us that these types of positions don’t result in returners getting hired. In contrast, positions listed on the Path Forward site are ONLY open to those with a resume gap.

Like all job opportunities, returnships are competitive. Remember, though, that when you apply for a returnship offered by a Path Forward employer partner, you will be competing on a level playing field with others who also have a career break. 

Yes. All returnship opportunities offered by Path Forward partners are paid positions. The pay rate and benefits (if any) are determined by each employer.

A returnship pays a rate usually comparable to the prevailing market rate for that position. The pay rate and benefits (if any) are determined by each employer. 

For temp-to-perm returnships, this rate is usually non-negotiable for the returnship period. During the returnship interview process, however, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask what the typical salary range is for that position, and to use that information to negotiate the terms of your ongoing employment at the end of the program period. 

For direct hire returnships, you can and should negotiate your salary as you would for any new position.

Each employer determines whether or not benefits are offered for temp-to-perm returnship programs. Full-time benefits packages are included for direct hire programs.

Today, the vast majority of returnship programs are full-time, but we hope and expect to see that change over time as more companies offer these programs. 

The majority of returnship programs are 3-4 months long, but today they range anywhere from 8 weeks to 6 months in length. 

More than 80 percent of returners who complete a returnship powered by Path Forward convert to full-time positions, with the remainder generally finding employment within six months.

On a program level, we work with our employer partners to ensure that full-time roles have been approved and budgeted for the end of the program. 

On an individual level, each company determines their criteria for success and will make the decision on whether to make an offer of ongoing employment at the conclusion of the returnship period.

A lot! Once accepted into a returnship, you will be automatically enrolled in Path Forward’s program of support, which includes professional development workshops, networking, and advice from Path Forward staff and our community of returners and alumni. The program is designed to ease your transition back into the workforce and help you restart your career with confidence.

Behind the scenes, Path Forward also supports you through our partnership work with employers. We actively engage with each of our partner companies to educate their teams and managers on best practices in running a returnship program and supporting returners’ success.

By the end of the returnship, returners will have gained a refreshed resume, community of support, and practical advice to fuel their career advancement. See our Success Stories for firsthand accounts from previous Path Forward returners.

Many companies hire a group of returners at the same time, or a “cohort.”  This group goes through the program together, getting support from both their company and Path Forward.

Path Forward also creates a broader cohort, bringing together returners from across our network of partner companies to build a valuable support system of peers and program alumni, with bonds that often last long past the returnship program itself

No. All gender identities are welcome to apply for returnship programs. Women are disproportionately affected by caregiving responsibilities and so they are more likely to be eligible to participate, but these programs welcome anyone who is returning from a career break.

Returnship programs are for mid-career professionals looking to restart their careers after a career break. Employers usually require candidates to have at least 5 years of professional experience, but this requirement varies by company and role. Be sure to review the job description for each returnship position for details.

Returnship programs are for mid-career professionals who are looking to restart their careers after a career break. Employers usually require candidates to have at least a 2 year career gap, but this requirement varies by company and role. Be sure to review the job description for each returnship position for details.

Returnships require a career gap. When applying for a returnship opportunity, your break needs to be clearly shown on your resume. See our article “How to Represent Your Career Gap on Your Returnship Resume (With Example).”

Eligibility requirements for returnships vary by employer. At Path Forward, we define caregiving broadly to mean childcare, self-care, eldercare, care of another family member or friend, as well as care provided by trailing spouses and military spouses who put their careers on hold in service of others. If you have taken a career break for any of the above reasons, we encourage you to apply for return-to-work roles for which you are qualified.

We understand the need to generate some income during a career break, either from non-professional activities or from consulting, freelance, or part-time work. It's up to each employer to determine if a candidate meets the eligibility requirements for their roles, but generally speaking freelance or consulting work won’t count against you.

Just be sure to make it clear on your resume that you were not working full-time and that you are returning from a break. We always encourage you to apply for return-to-work roles for which you are qualified. 

Most of the opportunities you’ll find through Path Forward are only available to those living in the US. If an opportunity is open to applicants outside the US, the employer’s job description will state this. 

In addition, Path Forward compiles and keeps up-to-date the Returnship Matcher, a directory of ALL returnship programs in the US. When we become aware of employers offering returnships outside of the US, we indicate this as “International” within the program description.

The following are organizations that aggregate returnship opportunities available outside the US:

• Jobs For Her (India)
• STEM Returners (UK)
• Women Returners (UK)

Most return-to-work programs are only available to US citizens or those with a visa or work authorization.

When one of our employer partners opens up new return-to-work opportunities, we’ll let you know via our website, emails, newsletter, and social media. We’ll provide you with information on the program's length, requirements, types of positions available, locations, and more. 

For each position, we’ll provide a link to a job description that outlines the expected responsibilities and qualifications. The application window for returnship positions vary by employer. That said, don’t wait to apply – these roles are often filled quickly. 

For any roles that are a match for you, use the links we provide to apply directly with the employer.  The employer will review your application, get in contact, conduct interviews, and make all decisions about who to accept into their returnship program. 

Note: Emailing a resume to Path Forward and/or signing up on our website is not an application for a returnship.

The easiest way to keep up-to-date on new returnships available from Path Forward partners is to check the Get Hired page on our website and to sign up for our newsletter. You’ll receive a list of the newest returnship opportunities each week plus upcoming events information, helpful career advice, and more. 

As a service to returners, Path Forward also compiles and keeps up-to-date the Returnship Matcher, a directory of ALL returnship programs in the US. Check it out for additional opportunities.

Many people who’ve paused their career for a few years find it’s difficult to be considered for full-time positions. They may also be uncertain how their prior experience translates into today’s workplace and may lack confidence in their abilities. 

Returnship programs offered by Path Forward employer partners address all of these issues by creating an environment where you are able to redevelop your skills while gaining valuable experience. That being said, only you can decide the best way for you to restart your career.

We’ve definitely seen people successfully make a career change, or pivot, through a returnship. Keep in mind that returnship positions are competitive, just like any other job, so be sure to read the returnship job description to determine what skills and experiences are required and what are preferred, and give careful consideration to how your past experiences can translate to the role. 

Career pivots tend to be most successful when the new career requires skills that are related to the prior career, or when the candidate has done reskilling to fill skills gaps. View our Returner Resources on career pivots for more information.

We generally discourage people from relocating to take a temp-to-perm returnship since there is no guarantee of employment at the end. However, we realize that each person's situation is unique and that you may be willing and able to take on the added risk. 

Yes. Our partner companies are looking for applicants with several years of professional experience that can be used to fuel their career restart. As part of that, they are open to transferable skills, nontraditional education backgrounds, and experience gained outside of the paid workforce. 

If you believe you meet many of the qualifications listed on a job description – even if your skills and experiences weren’t gained the “traditional” way through a job — you should absolutely apply. See the article “I Don’t Check Every Box on the Job Description. Should I Apply Anyway?” for more information.

Congratulations! After you’re hired into a return-to-work program offered by one of our employer partners, you will automatically be enrolled in Path Forward’s program of professional development and transition support. We’ll contact you soon after your acceptance with information on how to take advantage of our services.

Path Forward generally cannot share the contact information of specific recruiters at our partner companies. However, our employer partners often set up a dedicated email address to answer questions from returners. If available, this address will be listed on the employer’s partner page on the Path Forward website.

While we work closely with our partners, it is the employer who will review your application, get in contact, and make all hiring decisions. Most companies will recruit and hire over a period of several months, but this timeline varies widely. If the employer believes you are a good fit for the returnship role, they will reach out to you. 

While Path Forward encourages our partner companies to offer a diverse set of returnship roles and locations, these opportunities are dictated by the hiring needs and locations of the employer. If you haven’t found the right fit for you on our Get Hired page, try Path Forward’s Returnship Matcher, a directory of ALL returnship programs in the US. You can filter by field and location to find opportunities to apply for. 

If you still don’t find a match, please know that our mission is to change this. Path Forward works toward a future where returnships are as common for experienced professionals as internships are for college students. We’re committed to expanding the availability of returnships so all returning caregivers have the benefit of a supportive on-ramp back into the workforce.

New returnships open up all the time. The easiest way to keep up-to-date is to sign up for our newsletter. Each week, you’ll receive a list of the newest returnship opportunities available from Path Forward partners, plus upcoming events information, helpful career advice, and more.

Path Forward compiles and keeps up-to-date the Returnship Matcher, a directory of ALL returnship programs in the US. Under “Work Location,” you can filter by “US Remote” to find returnship opportunities that don’t require an in-office presence. If a returnship offers hybrid remote/in-office options, this will be specified within the employer’s job description.

Path Forward does not have resume writers on staff. We do, however, offer many Returner Resources on how to update your resume, particularly if you have a career gap. 

You are also invited to join the Path Forward Community, a space for caregivers at every stage of the return-to-work journey to come together, share resources, and support each other. Within the community, you can sign up for Path Forward workshops and events on job search topics.

If you think you’d benefit from one-on-one help, please read our article on “3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hire a Career Coach” as a starting point.

Path Forward does not have career coaches on staff. We do, however, offer many Returner Resources on how to conduct your job search, particularly if you have a career gap. 

You are also invited to join the Path Forward Community, a space for caregivers at every stage of the return-to-work journey to come together, share resources, and support each other. Within the community, you can sign up for Path Forward workshops and events on job search topics.

If you think you’d benefit from one-on-one help, please read our article on “3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hire a Career Coach” as a starting point.

Path Forward regularly hosts mock interview events. These are great opportunities to practice your interviewing skills with corporate volunteers or peers and receive real-time feedback.

You can learn about upcoming interview events by joining the Path Forward Community, a space for caregivers at every stage of the return-to-work journey to come together, share resources, and support each other.

We also offer many Returner Resources on how to approach different types of interviews. 

There are many free as well as paid options for getting skills training. View our Returner Resources for helpful articles and recorded webinars on reskilling, the importance of soft skills, and much more. 

Please fill out our Employer Inquiry form. Our partnerships team will be in contact to share information about how to develop a successful returnship program at your company or organization.