Return Utah

Return Utah is the first public return-to-work program in the country.  The  focus of the program is to fill state jobs by recruiting from a pool of candidates that have taken a career break for any reason (child rearing, health, higher education, retirement, etc.). “Returners” often faced discrimination due to an experience gap on their resume.  However, Return Utah provides opportunity for meaningful, family sustainable jobs by seeking candidates who took a career break; therefore,  eliminating traditional barriers to employment and getting them back to work, with transitional support, training, coaching, and resources.

Yes.  The following companies are operating return-to-work programs in Utah. 

• Northrup Grumman
• Goldman Sachs

The Return Utah program includes a variety of jobs. Most Return Utah roles are mid-level positions allowing the returner to reenter the job market without having to climb the career ladder.  Jobs range by field, agency, and experience required.  Past Return Utah jobs filled include roles in administration, data, finance, policy, communication, engineering, health, legal, project management, etc

Return Utah jobs span more than 20 state agencies.  Most Return Utah positions are based within departments on the Wasatch front.  Jobs schedules range from in-office, remote, or hybrid depending on the needs of the agency and the length of training required upon hire.

Both.  Some returnships are part-time while others are full-time.  We offer a variety of positions and recommend you apply for the job(s) that best fit your needs.

That is expected.  We understand that your skillset may be rusty.  Return Utah allows you to leverage your previous experience, and the life experience you gained during your career break to find a job that is right for you.  During your 16-week returnship you are encouraged to retrain, fill experience gaps, and learn new skills that are relevant to the position, in an environment that fosters your learning and growth by providing patient supervision and transitional support.

Your returnship is the time to do it.  We recommend leveraging your knowledge and past experience to land a job, but to continue training and learning while in the job in order to transition smoothly.  All new hires require on-the-job training.  If you need additional training to shorten your learning curve, Return Utah offers transitional support and connects you to resources to find the training and knowledge you need.

A feeling of inadequacy is common for anyone who has taken a career break. Ask yourself, do you have experience or knowledge of what the job requires?  That may be enough.  We recommend that you apply for Return Utah jobs even if you don’t fit 100 percent of the requirements. You can learn what you need to know.  Return Utah participants typically demonstrate a shorter learning curve and their previous work/life experience benefits them as they learn and adapt to new roles.

No.  We prioritize skill over educational certificates.

If you are a full-time, benefitted employee, benefits kick in on day one of your employment with the state of Utah.

Our career reentry program spans 16 weeks.  During that time returnees work in the job assigned while receiving coaching, training, and transitional support.

Yes and no.  Almost 60 percent of Return Utah roles are temporary, spanning a 16 week period.  This  allows the returner to sample a return to the workforce with ample time to refresh skills, revamp networks, and complete projects to report on a resume..  All returnees complete career development training with information on how to write a resume, create a linkedin presence, and interview in order to reenter the job market with success.  However, most returnees don’t have an immediate need for such skills as 92 percent of Return Utah participants are converted to long term employment after their 16 week return to the workforce is complete. 

Some jobs are long term, meaning that for the first 16 weeks of the job, the returnee receives the same transitional support as a temporary hire.  Long term hires simply continue to work in the same role after their 16 week program is complete.

You will likely have that option.  While nearly 60 percent of our returnees are hired in temporary roles, more than 90 percent are converted to long-term roles within the state.  

At DHRM, we  recommend  transparency with your direct manager about your transition and how you feel about the job itself.  While we cannot guarantee the agency you work for will extend a long-term offer, most agencies make every attempt to keep you on their staff if they are able.

That’s okay.  For some returnees the timing is not right, the job is not a good fit, or perhaps the returnee simply isn’t ready to return to the workforce.  As a Return Utah participant you have the autonomy to resign at any given time.  We recommend completing your 16-week career reentry experience. Afterward, a  standard notice of resignation is recommended.

Utah residents who have taken a career break of two years or more.  However, if you are affiliated with the military either as a service member, transitioning service member, veteran, and/or military spouse or partner, you are eligible for the program.  In addition, if you are underemployed at the time of application, you are also eligible. Underemployed means you are working fewer hours than you are able and/or you are not utilizing your skillset, training, and/or experience in your current role.

No. Our returners include individuals who have taken career breaks to raise a family, care for loved ones, retire, recover from illness, improve mental health, return to school, move abroad, volunteer, start a business, and serve in the military. The reasoning behind a career break does not factor into hiring decisions.

Pay varies depending on the role.  Our aim is to provide competitive pay and meaningful employment to ensure our returnees are not reentering the workforce at the bottom of the career ladder.  Mid-level pay is the starting point for most Return Utah jobs with options for standard pay increases based on performance.

Go to statejobs.utah.gov and search “return utah” for current openings and to submit an application and/or resume.  Many potential returners feel uncomfortable starting the hiring process when they have not done it for a period of time.  For resume writing resources, interview workshops, tools,  etc. go to the Utah Department of Workforce Services website.

Return Utah positions are now open year round, meaning you can look for open positions at any time.  However, there are more job opportunities available the first several months of the calendar year and during the months of July and August.

Check back, new job opportunities may open at any time.

Go to statejobs.utah.gov and search “return utah” for current openings

You’ll be working again so you will get reacquainted with the workforce and the specific duties assigned to you in your role..  Due to your previous work experience you will find that returning to work is similar to riding a bike.  A lot of skills will return to you in very little time.  However, you will also learn new skills as you have projects assigned over a period of 16 weeks, giving you a chance to dust off a rusty skillset as an active employee.

In your new role you will be introduced to a new team, a direct manager, agency leadership, fellow returners, along with state and private industry leadership.  This will allow you to make new professional connections.  In addition, you will receive guidance on how to revamp or create a linkedin presence allowing you to reconnect with the professional network you created prior to your career break.

Email us at returnutah@utah.gov .