Returning to work after a career break can be a daunting prospect, filled with challenges and uncertainties. Recognizing this, Citi has pioneered the “Reactivate Your Career” program, a comprehensive initiative designed to smoothly reintegrate professionals back into the financial services sector. This program stands out by offering not just jobs, but genuine career opportunities, robust training, and accessible entry points, irrespective of prior financial industry experience. Citi actively champions diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and skills gained from various industries and life experiences.
The “Reactivate Your Career” program specifically targets individuals who have been on a career break for two or more years. It provides a supportive ecosystem for returners, embedding them within a cohort of fellow professionals, creating an instant network of peers. Participants benefit from a multifaceted support system that includes practical on-the-job training, opportunities to earn professional qualifications (dedicating 20% of their time to learning), guidance from assigned buddies within their business area, mentorship, coaching, and regular informal Q&A sessions with program leaders and executive sponsors.
Citi’s program development team placed returners at the heart of their strategy, conducting thorough research into the return-to-work experience. This included understanding the hurdles returners face, such as childcare arrangements, suitable start dates, and effective onboarding processes. Interestingly, the research revealed that many returners were open to exploring different roles or disciplines compared to their pre-break careers. This insight led to the creation of a flexible training framework that empowers returners to acquire new skills and boost their confidence as they transition into diverse roles within Citi.
One significant hurdle the program addressed was convincing hiring managers to look beyond conventional candidate profiles and embrace individuals who might not possess immediate, role-specific skills. Citi overcame this challenge through proactive engagement with senior management. By showcasing the program’s structure and benefits in meetings across the organization, they secured strong leadership support. The “Reactivate Your Career” program now boasts sponsorship from the highest levels of Citi’s leadership and is a key component of the company’s global Inclusion & Diversity strategy.
Most regional implementations of the program, including the pioneering London scheme, aim to recruit 10-12 returners annually per cohort. This number is strategically chosen to ensure program sustainability, maintain a consistent intake each year, and foster a close-knit cohort environment that allows for focused support from the program team.
While Citi hasn’t set explicit retention targets, the program leadership is deeply committed to maximizing opportunities for returners, particularly as they build valuable professional relationships. To facilitate this, at least three months before program completion, managers communicate to returners whether they will be offered a permanent position within their team. For those not offered a permanent role initially, the program leadership team actively supports them in leveraging Citi’s internal network to find alternative roles within the organization.
The inaugural London cohort from March 2020 completed the program in September 2021. Out of the initial 12 participants, 11 successfully secured roles at Citi, with the vast majority (nine) remaining with their original hiring managers. Notably, two individuals from the 2020 cohort have since achieved promotions within Citi, demonstrating the program’s long-term positive impact on career progression. The London 2021 cohort mirrored this success, with a similar high retention rate.
Citi’s “Reactivate Your Career” program has established a valuable new avenue for talent acquisition and development within the firm. Now in its third year, the program has proven its worth, particularly in the London office, by injecting fresh talent and diverse perspectives into the organization. While diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, and other protected characteristics is inherently addressed, the program’s primary focus on cognitive diversity has been instrumental in enriching Citi with varied thinking, experience, and backgrounds.
The demonstrable success of the London program in 2020 spurred a global expansion of “Reactivate Your Career” throughout 2021 and 2022. It now spans 11 global locations, with some regions already welcoming their second cohort of returners. Citi proudly reports having recruited over 200 participants globally and intends to continue expanding the program to new regions in 2023, further solidifying its commitment to reactivating careers and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
“This program has been life changing and the support received, invaluable. I have transitioned back into the workplace after a seven-year break incorporating existing skills as well as implementing the new knowledge gained during training into my day-to-day role.”
Samantha Guthrie, Operational Risk Senior Analyst 2020 Cohort, Citi
