What Are Hiring Managers Looking For in a Returnship Candidate?
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Have you taken a career break for any reason? You may be a relauncher and not even know it.
In this chat you'll learn:
- What a returnship is and why is there a need for them
- The different kinds of returnships that are available
- What hiring managers...
Have you taken a career break for any reason? You may be a relauncher and not even know it.
In this chat you'll learn:
- What a returnship is and why is there a need for them
- The different kinds of returnships that are available
- What hiring managers are looking for in returnship candidates
Meet The Speaker
Jennifer Howland was executive of IBM’s Pathways Program for experienced, diverse technical talent, a worldwide program to develop and implement bold actions to increase the representation of women and under-represented minorities in IBM’s technical executive positions by attracting, recruiting, developing, and progressing experienced mid-career technical talent into these leadership roles. She is now retired after 35 years at IBM as an engineer, manager, and executive, spanning engineering, strategy, product and services development, business and process transformation, and service delivery. Through her numerous management and executive-level roles in male-dominated environments, she has always been passionate about helping women advance their careers.
One of the most recent, standout, and globally recognized Pathways programs Jennifer created – from ideation to implementation and expansion – is the successful non-traditional on-ramp program called IBM Tech Re-Entry. This 12-week ‘internship’ program makes rejoining the tech industry easier for people who have been out of the workforce and are looking to return. The program has expanded throughout the firm and in different parts of the world.
Jennifer is a graduate of Clarkson University where she received a bachelor of science in electrical and computer engineering. She received her master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Jennifer is an active leader with DiscoverE and is the campus liaison executive for women in technology at Clarkson. She is on Clarkson University’s Honor’s Program Advisory Council. She is recognized in the industry as an expert in leading large, global development teams, re-entry programs, developing and progressing diverse technical talent, unconscious bias, and career development, having been a frequent speaker at numerous notable conferences.
Jennifer has been honored for her efforts, including being selected in 2017 as one of Good Housekeeping’s ‘10 Women Changing the Way We See the World’ as a leader in science and technology and in 2018 being the first IBMer featured in the December 2018 issue of Hudson Valley Magazine honoring women in business in the Hudson Valley region of New York. In 2019 Jennifer received the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 'Advocating Women in Engineering' award for her lifelong work in advocating for technical women. She has two grown daughters, both of whom hold engineering degrees.
More Topics You Might Like
Q&A
Q&A guidelines-
How to introduce myself to the hiring manager after having a break. ?
By: AshwiniPosted on 2021-08-17 -
Is relaunching a career in a new field acceptable for a returnship program or is it only available in the field one has previously worked in?
By: Shikshya, OtherPosted on 2021-08-17 -
I do not have a question at this moment
By: Novene, Account ManagerPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How do i justify my break
By: PallaviPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How do you find returnship opportunties?
By: RobertPosted on 2021-08-17 -
Does most returnship programs jnclude mentoring or apprenticeship? Are returnships suitable for career transitions? Can transferable skills be taken into consideration for returnships in another industry?
By: Pamela, Solutions AnalystPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How do I showcase educational credentials and experience gained in a foreign country before a long career break? Do I need to get a Masters here to be considered for returnship opportunities?
By: chitraPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How realistic is it for someone who is considered a "senior" to be selected in a Returnship Program?
By: SallyPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How much technical knowledge do hiring managers look for? Does other experience like teaching ccommodate the family needs during the career break counts. I am in the discovery phase and am trying...
By: RituPosted on 2021-08-17 -
How to address efective cover letters and resume during the relaunch journey?
By: ElizabethPosted on 2021-08-17 -
What are the most in demand skill sets companies want from a relauncher.
By: Sheetal, Project managerPosted on 2021-08-16 -
Changing a career path with zero experience to relauch is a good idea??
By: Priyanka, QA Automation EngineerPosted on 2021-08-16 -
I'd like to know if someone is considering a Relauncher if they've been out of the workforce not by choice? Re-org in Sept2019 and then Covid....
By: Jennifer, Business AnalystPosted on 2021-08-16 -
How can I get into a returnship program?
By: Diane, Operations OfficerPosted on 2021-08-15 -
Should you look at same level jobs or lower?
By: ReneePosted on 2021-08-15 -
How to gain confidence to face job interview after a long Career break?
By: Vimala, Software EngineerPosted on 2021-08-14 -
My questions have been asked by others. Thank you!
By: LindaPosted on 2021-08-14 -
Are the relaunch programs able to accommodate relaunchers wanting a career change or do most programs require you to relaunch in your former career?
By: JasonPosted on 2021-08-14 -
How do you negotiate to get a job and competitive salary when entering the workforce after a big gap and you are pivoting to a new career with 9-10 years of experience in a different stream?
By: MonikaPosted on 2021-08-14 -
Is there any situation when it is appropriate to divulge, to a potential or new employer, that you had a serious illness?
By: AlisaPosted on 2021-08-14 -
https://artscience.blog/home/divvy-dataviz-case-studyt skills do returners bring?
By: Vinita, Fullstack DeveloperPosted on 2021-08-13 -
How do you convince a company that your experience managing a family, including schedules, finances, etc can translate to current business needs without getting shoehorned into an admin assistant position?
By: Kayleen, FounderPosted on 2021-08-12 -
Have returnships been successful during the pandemic? Specifically, are they as effective in a remote environment?
By: Tai, Fundraising ManagerPosted on 2021-08-12 -
I'm very interested. I'm currently looking for work.
By: Frederick, Event Management ConsultantPosted on 2021-08-12 -
I recently moved from Texas to California. How do I find returnships in my area that will actually be helpful with zero personal connections?
By: KimberlyPosted on 2021-08-11 -
I was working as a Support & QA Engineer for a technology company. But took a career break of several yrs. to care for a parent. Looking for returnship opportunities & in demand skills to...
By: Jeanne, QA EngineerPosted on 2021-08-11 -
What advice do you have for women returning form a longer career break so that they can be competitive for returnship opportunities?
By: LaurenPosted on 2021-08-11 -
Does it help in the screening process for a returnee to signal clearly that they are returning?
By: TiffanyPosted on 2021-08-11 -
I was moved into a graphic design role in my current company two years ago and now I want to return back into a marketing centered role. What advice would help those like myself who are...
By: Kristen "Krissy", Marketing CoordinatorPosted on 2021-08-11 -
How does switching sectors in a returnship fare? In particular, switching from non-profit management to corporate sector? Thank you.
By: AfreenPosted on 2021-08-11 -
How can you get into a Returnship with a 10 year career gap and show that you have the skills and will power to get back on track? Also what is the best way to format your resume to reflect this gap?
By: Nahla, Product ControllerPosted on 2021-08-11 -
How do you really sell yourself in the interview to stand out from candidates that have more recent experience?
By: Suzanne, Project managerPosted on 2021-08-10 -
I live in Houston, tx and there are hardly any returnship programs in my location. How do I get a job in this case?
By: Rupa, SAP Project ManagerPosted on 2021-08-10 -
Nothing at this time
By: Megan, HR ProfessionalPosted on 2021-08-10 -
I have childcare gaps in my resume, including recently due to the pandemic but it seems that employers always use it as an excuse to under pay me and not invest in my development. My question is:...
By: Dorothy, Business AnalystPosted on 2021-08-10 -
How do you make yourself stand out when looking to return?
By: Carla, Strategic Project Manager Business AnalystPosted on 2021-08-10 -
How to get beyond low pay jobs when you still need schedule flexibility and a few days remote work.
By: AileenPosted on 2021-08-10 -
How, as a candidate, can I communicate the value of returnship in applications as well as in interviews?
By: Jill, Operations DirectorPosted on 2021-08-10 -
What support is given to the returners?
By: LindaPosted on 2021-08-10 -
Do I have to re-enter at a lower position? How do I apply for a lower level position? Do I dumb down my skills or talk up my eagerness to work?
By: Melissa, Program Project ManagerPosted on 2021-08-10 -
My background is in Software Engineering, is there a way to use a Returnship to try a leadership/PM role without having previous technical leadership skills?
By: Sami, Quality engineeringPosted on 2021-08-09 -
How do you explain the gap in employment for a couple of years
By: RameyshPosted on 2021-08-09 -
What are some main soft skills currently being looked for from hiring managers?
By: ReneePosted on 2021-08-09 -
How often does returnship result in job offer? Is this similar to contract position?
By: Lakshmi, MarketingPosted on 2021-08-09 -
I am applying for a returnship, but they specified out of work because one took care of a dependent, This was an adult relative, who eventually passed away. Should I be simple and say that it...
By: JacobPosted on 2021-08-09 -
Would you advise a candidate suggest to a company that they start a returnship program?
By: Paul, Director of FinancePosted on 2021-08-08 -
My question has already been asked.
By: DianaPosted on 2021-08-06 -
Are you offering any returnships
By: Carvel, Sales development representativePosted on 2021-08-06 -
What industries are looking for returnship candidates?
By: Theresa, ExecutivePosted on 2021-08-06 -
My questions are already being asked by others.
By: KathyPosted on 2021-08-06 -
Is this a paying opportunity
By: ImenPosted on 2021-08-06 -
Once you do re-enter the workforce, how do you ensure you are compensated fairly for your skills and experience?
By: KathyPosted on 2021-08-06 -
How to show a gap on a resume effectively
By: SuePosted on 2021-08-06 -
How do I get people to see how much value I can bring with my experience? I think I am being passed over for opportunities because of my age.
By: Linda, Account ManagerPosted on 2021-08-06 -
I've found it challenging returning to the work force after a 2 year hiatus. However in these last 2 years. I've helped with my mom through the pandemic, I've worked on an election campaign in...
By: Francilla V, Independent ConsultantPosted on 2021-08-05 -
Are there specific resources for those of us who are pivoting to software development as a final career after we’re 50+ ?
By: Steven, Software developerPosted on 2021-08-05 -
How do you avoid ageism?
By: Aviva, Corporate Data ManagementPosted on 2021-08-04 -
How do I effectively convey and sell my transferrable skills when switching to a new area or industry?
By: Eileen, Finance Business AnalystPosted on 2021-07-29 -
Existing questions cover mine. Thank you!
By: Max, Data ManagerPosted on 2021-07-29 -
For a returnship program, should I focus more on learnt skills and certifications or on how great fit I would be for the team and other soft skills?
By: DivyaPosted on 2021-07-28 -
What special tips do you have for those returning after a long break (20+years)?
By: LizPosted on 2021-07-27 -
What are the chances for someone to get hired for a Returnship if they only have entry level experience and not an MBA? FYI I worked for two wealth management investment firms as a sales...
By: Ana, Sales Assistant OperationsPosted on 2021-07-24 -
Suggestions/tips when you're "overqualifed" for the returnship position.
By: Vanessa, Financial Services ProfessionalPosted on 2021-07-23 -
Returning after a 6-year break has been very difficult. I left because I entered into the special needs world for my child. How do I insert that important role as a part of who I am in the...
By: Lisamarie, SalesPosted on 2021-07-23
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