Audience guide
Long-term unemployed people and career returners
People who have been out of work for a long time, because of illness, caring, migration, prison or a difficult job market, often have skills and motivation but have lost confidence and networks. A fair chance and a structured start make the difference.
Adjustments are about what helps, not about labels. Never ask for a diagnosis, and let each person decide what they share.
What to do
- Focus on transferable skills and life experience
- Offer a clear, structured first month
- Partner with public employment services and return-to-work programmes
- Be flexible on start dates and hours at first
What to avoid
- Screening out CVs because of gaps
- Asking people to justify their gap
- Expecting full speed from the first week
Typical adjustments
- A gradual increase in hours
- Refresher training on tools and systems
- A buddy for the first months
- Flexibility for caring responsibilities
Extra steps in your plan
Recruit through return-to-work programmes
Public employment services and programmes for returners can match candidates, prepare them and sometimes subsidise the first months.
Attract candidates · Recommended · About 1 hour
Ask about skills from life, not only from jobs
Volunteering, caring, running a household or a hobby can show organisation, reliability and problem solving. Ask about them.
Interview and select · Essential · 15 min
Refresh skills and tools early
Technology and routines may have changed. A short, pressure-free introduction to your systems builds confidence quickly.
Onboard · Recommended · About 1 hour
Turn this into your own plan
Choose your type of business and who you are hiring, and get one checklist that tracks your progress, plus a tracker for each new hire's first six months.
This toolkit is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules on recruitment, adjustments and support schemes differ between countries, so check with your local employment service or an adviser.