EY Reconnect Returner Program

EY Reconnect Program, is a program for career returners, providing a bridge for professionals re-entering the workplace after an extended career break.

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What is EY Reconnect?

EY Reconnect, is a program for career returners who have had an extended break from the world of work and are now looking for a bridge to connect you back to your previous career, experience and knowledge within business. Whether you have taken time out for caring reasons, relocation, or other personal commitments, whatever the reason, we are here to support your transition back to work.

Joining EY in a permanent role, you will benefit from additional support for the first 16 weeks with us. We will welcome you back through a tailored induction program offering group coaching, additional training and mentoring. You will join client teams across our service lines and participate in varied project work whilst being supported back into the workforce.

Interested to know more about the program

You will have left the workforce having had over five years relevant work experience, with a background in professional services, consultancy, financial services, technology or a related industry.

EY Reconnect is open to those who have had a career break of 18 months or more and who are now ready to return to work.

EY Reconnect offers the opportunity to join an inclusive workplace, where we encourage creativity and flexibility. It’s not just something we talk about; the skills you’ve acquired from your career break will be celebrated and valued.

Why EY?

We are proud of the work we have done so far in making EY an inclusive place to work. Our policies are focused on continuing to advance gender equality, share the care, and build an inclusive EY. We offer a number of formal and informal flexible working options and in addition to these we have gender affirmation leave, an opportunity to substitute public holidays for a day of cultural significance and domestic violence leave to protect our people.

We bring extraordinary people, like you, together to build a better working world. We provide the tools, learning, flexibility and diverse and inclusive culture so that you can become the best version of you, and help others do the same. Whoever you are, we believe your uniqueness helps us stand apart.

The ability to invite, leverage and learn from different perspectives is fundamental to driving innovation, building strong relationships and delivering the best approaches for EY clients.

We are investing more time, technology and money than ever before in skills and learning for EY people. This includes the launch of the new, first of its kind EY Tech MBA, which builds on the success of our EY Badges program. Together these help EY people develop future-focused skills in areas such as technology, sustainability and leadership.

Imagine having the freedom to customize the career you envision, in a place where an inclusive, supportive culture opens doors to rich experiences and opportunities.

The exceptional EY experience. It’s yours to build.

For the initial 16 weeks you will have additional support and guidance as you reconnect with your career. You will have access to:

Your own coach from our incredible EY coaching team

A tailored onboarding program providing the time you need to reconnect with your previous skills and knowledge within business

A buddy and counsellor from within your service line

Opportunity to connect and understand more about your own priorities, mindset and purpose through our speaker series

You’ll work in an environment that enables a healthy integration between work and home, allowing you to manage your personal commitments while still being able to achieve your professional goals.

Finalising your “perfect CV” or written application or worrying about your social media profile can be a real barrier to applying for roles after you have taken a career break.

The good news is that none of this needs to be perfect; your CV and application should be an authentic representation of the experience and attributes you’d bring to the role – and that includes the valuable skills you have obtained during your time out of the workplace – with the perspective that brings.

We wanted to share some of our top tips with you to assist you in preparing your CV and application. For the Reconnect program, we are keen to understand what you have been doing during your career break, but our main focus will be on your prior professional career.

A good application makes clear where and how your experience is relevant. Use the job specifications and company research to clearly demonstrate where you add value. Following a career break, make a link between the skills of budgeting, project management or delegation you have developed and why this adds value to a company that truly values diverse talent. We also want to understand why you are keen to join EY and in particular the Reconnect program.

Include four or five sentences to introduce who you are and summarise your core skills, experience and qualifications from your professional career, plus activities during your career break. Think of this as your elevator pitch to the employer and let them know why they would want to hire you.

Be factual and specific about academic and professional qualifications. Never be tempted to embellish grades or courses studied, but equally don’t forget to include any learning you have done for your own self-development. Many individuals have taken up valuable study whilst on a career break, which shows energy and passion that employers find appealing.

A career break should be summarised and celebrated as such, and not disguised other ways. Clearly state the years and reasons for the break (for example, parental leave or charity work) and don’t overlook any commitments or interests outside of corporate life. It is likely that these additional activities will be a good indicator of your level of drive, commitment and tenacity!

Be wary of investing too much emotional energy in the CV itself – it is only one strand of your job search toolkit, which may include networking or taking further professional study. For the Reconnect program, we will be asking you to complete an application form with specific questions being asked, ensure you take the time to complete this and make your motivations clear.

Your CV is a marketing document to showcase the skills, ability and confidence that can really secure your next role. A strong CV will help you set goals or identify any skills gaps that you can address as you successfully cross the bridge back to work after a career break.

The workplace may have changed during your career break and social media is often something that returners can be frightened of or apprehension about. You’ll simply need the training and insight from your colleagues and you’ll be in the professional social media world very quickly.

Hear from our people

Returning to work through the Reconnect Program

Nicola, a Partner in Business Consulting shares her journey through the Reconnect Program.

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EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

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EY Reconnect Returner Program

Join the conversation

What is EY Reconnect?

Interested to know more about the program

Why EY?

Hear from our people

Connect with us on social

Insights

Trending topics

Spotlight

Services

Spotlight

Industries

Case studies

Careers

Spotlight

About us

Top news

EY Reconnect Returner Program

Join the conversation

What is EY Reconnect?

Interested to know more about the program

Who is suitable and what experience is needed?

Which area would suit me best?

Why EY?

Will I have to work full time?

What are the benefits for me in joining the Reconnect program?

Keen to apply? Here are our top tips to help with your application

Hear from our people

Connect with us on social