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If you’re looking to re-enter the workforce or explore a new industry after a career break, it can be difficult to know where to start. Being out of work for a while can also impact confidence and self-esteem, and may prove particularly difficult for those who aren’t familiar with the ever-changing hiring process.
Plus, sadly, despite important steps being taken to end age discrimination in the workplace, it remains an ongoing problem.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with global law firm Allen & Overy, whose free ReStart Employability Programme is designed to help over 50s – an overlooked talent pool of 375,000 potential workers in the UK – find employment.
Through a selection of workshops, professional coaching, and one-to-one mentoring, ReStart aims to build people’s knowledge, skills, and confidence to help them rejoin the workforce.
We spoke to Sheila and Dean, both 58, about their experiences on the ReStart programme and why they’d recommend signing up.
What is the Allen & Overy ReStart Employability Programme?
The Allen & Overy ReStart Employability Programme is a 13-week programme for over 50s who’ve been unemployed for six to 12 months and are looking to re-enter the workforce.
Through a unique blend of dynamic workshops, individual coaching, and one-to-one mentoring, ReStart is designed to help people improve their resourcefulness when it comes to job seeking. Focus is placed on everything from CV tailoring and interview tips to how to build an effective LinkedIn profile.
Three months after the programme finishes, programme members come back together to share their experiences and successes; adding a sense of community and comradery to the course.
If you’d like to learn how to proactively boost your chances of finding your dream job, ReStart could be for you. With continued success since its launch in 2017, 100% of previous attendees said that they’d recommend ReStart to other people in a similar position.
The programme is free to attend – all that’s needed is a desire to succeed, attendance at every workshop, and to live within commutable distance of Allen & Overy’s central London office.
“I began noticing that agencies weren’t getting back to me like they used to”
Fifty-eight-year-old Sheila from Surrey has worked in human resources across a range of industries including technology, telecoms, financial services, and investment banking.
She says, “I loved it. I loved the variety of my work and the fact that I could fit in anywhere. The HR skill set is transferable to most industries so it’s nice to have had exposure to different places of work and different sized companies. It’s an experience I’m lucky to have had.”
However, despite being qualified and experienced, Sheila explains how, after resigning from her previous role, she struggled to find a new job.
She says, “I hadn’t realised it at first but I began noticing that agencies weren’t getting back to me like they used to – that was a really noticeable change.
“I think a lot of companies want younger, cheaper resources. But I’d probably say I’m the most valuable I’ve ever been in terms of experience and expertise, because in every job that I’ve been in, I’ve picked up new skills.”
“Employers are missing out on the experience, the calmness, and the commitment that we’re willing to give”
Fifty-eight-year-old Dean from south-east London has a career background in banking and the Civil Service. And, in 2016, he decided to take a career break.
Dean says, “The Civil Service had changed and I’d got as far as I was going to go in terms of grade and promotion. I just wasn’t really doing what I wanted to do anymore – I’d lost passion. So I applied for redundancy and took a career break. I’d worked for 30 years solid and needed that space.”
After taking some time to travel and renovate his house, Dean explains how, when he attempted to rejoin the workforce, he also struggled to find a new job.
He says, “It’s really hard to say whether or not the lack of success was down to age because, with so many job applications, you get no feedback. But there’s certainly a sense that age plays a role. Sometimes you see the panel and get a feeling that you’re not quite what they’re looking for, so I think there’s definitely an issue.
“Employers are missing out on not only life experience, but also our approach. I want to go and do a job because I’m passionate about it, not because I need to pay my mortgage or because I’m looking for career development. I think employers are missing out on the experience, the calmness, and the commitment that we’re willing to give.”
“The ReStart programme has given me the confidence to go for what I want to do, not what I think I should do.”
After being out of work for a year, Sheila explains why she decided to join the ReStart Programme.
Sheila says, “I knew I must be missing something because I was applying for jobs on a weekly – and sometimes daily – basis but I wasn’t getting many responses. While I never got down about it, it was frustrating – and I got to the point where I needed to find work from a financial perspective too. I needed someone to give me honest feedback on what I could be doing better – which is exactly what they did at ReStart.
“The programme made me evaluate how I came across more closely – specifically in interviews. It’s improved my self-awareness and given me a new way to talk about my strengths and weaknesses.”
During her time on ReStart, Sheila landed a job in human resources for a local company, which she loves.
She says, “I’ve taken on a more junior role, which I’m delighted to have. I wouldn’t have considered it before the ReStart programme because I would’ve thought it was too junior. But I’m learning so much and it’s really improving my skill set.”
Dean decided to apply to ReStart after a friend recommended it to him. Having not applied for jobs for over 25 years, Dean describes how the course completely changed his approach.
He says, “When I’d been previously applying for jobs, I thought I had a nice CV and detailed cover letter. But it wasn’t until I was on the ReStart programme that I realised what my applications were lacking. I hadn’t applied for a job since 1996 and the job market has totally changed since then. I had no idea about things like having a LinkedIn profile or tuning your CV to specific jobs.
“I’ve noticed a huge difference in my job search after making these changes. ReStart also encouraged me to apply to jobs that I’m passionate about because that’ll help to renew my motivation. It’s given me the confidence to go for what I want to do, not what I think I should do, which has really changed things for me.The application process is so much more enjoyable now, and the course has given me the confidence to be selective in which jobs I apply for.”
Dean is currently searching for his perfect job but remains hopeful that, with everything he’s learnt from ReStart, he’ll be able to land a role that combines his skillset with his passion for the environment.
“Kindness is a word that I’d use to describe all of the people who deliver the programme”
Having both come away with a group of friends and a strong network from the course, Sheila and Dean explain how it’s the people – both participants and leaders – who make ReStart so special.
Sheila says, “Kindness is a word that I’d use to describe all of the people who deliver the programme. Allen & Overy invest a lot of time and effort into it for free and I’m very grateful to them.
“One of the best parts about ReStart is the comradery with others on the programme. Fourteen of us actually met for dinner recently – I’ve made a whole new bunch of friends as well as learning new skills, getting a new job, and increasing my network.”
Dean adds, “I’ve created a really great relationship and network with those on the course. We support each other, which is nice because it reminds you that you’re not on your own.”
“The mentoring adds another dimension to the course”
Alongside a selection of 10 practical workshops, ReStart members also have access to support from an accredited coach and one-to-one mentoring service.
ReStart mentors are people who volunteer to be part of the programme alongside their day job. Allen & Overy work hard to match participants with a mentor who has experience in a similar industry or role to what they’re looking for.
Dean says, “One of the things I was lacking was having someone look at my CV and give me honest feedback. Of course, friends and family can look for you, but they might not always be totally honest. My mentor sifts through applications every day for his job, so he knows exactly what he’s looking for. It’s so wonderful and valuable to be given advice from someone on that side.
“Through the mentoring service, I’ve got a much better CV and LinkedIn profile that I otherwise wouldn’t have. It’s also nice to have weekly chats with someone you can turn to for advice if you’re struggling with anything. ReStart on its own is good, but the mentoring adds another dimension to the course. Having someone supporting you all the way through is so valuable.”
Sheila adds, “The mentoring side of the course can be tailored to whatever you like – there’s a lot of flexibility. My mentor and I looked at my CV and LinkedIn profile together and we bounced ideas off each other. I felt very well supported throughout.”
“It may be daunting to begin with but it’s worth the effort”
When asked what they’d say to other people considering signing up to ReStart, both Dean and Sheila urged people to go after the opportunity.
Sheila says, “If you’re thinking about it, go for it. The change in people’s confidence after the programme was noticeable. You get a new network of friends and everyone’s so welcoming. It may be daunting to begin with but it’s worth the effort.”
Dean adds, “I’d say do it, it’s well worth it, and such an eye-opening experience. It does shake you up a bit but my goodness it’s worth it.”
Applications for Allen & Overy’s ReStart Programme 2024 are open, and close on Friday 19th January. If you’d like to find out more, click the button below.
Are you feeling inspired by Sheila or Dean’s stories? Or do you have a story of your own that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.