Latest / The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry / Returning as a Financial Analyst After a Career Gap
Transcript
- Lucas: There's this assumption that if you've been out of the corporate finance world for a few years, you've missed the boat on becoming a financial analyst. But the data tells a different story. According to a 2025 survey from the CFA Institute, about 30 percent of financial analysts who returned after a career gap did so through a formal returnship program. Luna: I think a lot of people worry that finance is too fast-moving to step back into. What was the background of the person you spoke with? Lucas: Her name is Sarah Mitchell. She had worked as a senior financial analyst at a mid-sized manufacturing firm for about six years. Then she took time off after her second child. She kept her CFA charter current, but she hadn't touched a discounted cash flow model in four years. Luna: So what was the catalyst that got her back in? Lucas: The bank she joined had a returnship program specifically for parents re-entering the workforce. It was a 12-week paid internship with a path to a permanent role. Sarah applied, got in, and they refreshed her on the tools—Excel, Bloomberg terminals, financial modeling. By week 10, she was leading a project on cost optimization for one of their commercial lending portfolios. Luna: That's a pretty concrete win. How did she convince them she was still sharp? Lucas: She didn't rely on her old resume. She spent six weeks before applying doing a financial modeling certification online—about 40 hours of work. She also networked with alumni from her old company who worked at the bank. One of them vouched for her analytical rigor. That personal reference mattered more than the gap. Luna: So the key was a combination of upskilling and leveraging old connections. Lucas: Exactly. And the bank's returnship program was designed to accommodate that. They expected some rust. They had a mentor assigned from day one. Sarah's manager told us that by month three, she was outperforming analysts who had been there continuously, because she brought a different perspective—she was more efficient, less likely to waste time on meetings that didn't matter. Luna: That echoes what we've heard in other episodes: the gap can actually sharpen focus. Lucas: Right. That's a good moment to mention something about how we're able to bring you these stories. A handful of listeners support this show through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. That support keeps us ad-free and lets us invest in finding these specific case studies. If you've gotten value from the podcast, that's a direct way to keep it going. And we're grateful to those who already chip in. Luna: Yeah, it really does make a difference. So back to Sarah—after the returnship, what happened? Lucas: She was offered a full-time role as a financial analyst focused on credit risk. She's been there for two years now, and she just got promoted to senior analyst. Her advice for others: don't try to hide the gap. Frame it as a period of strategic decision-making. She literally says, 'I chose to step back to raise my kids, and that choice made me more intentional about my career.' Luna: I love that framing. It's honest and it shows ownership. Lucas: And it works. She also told us that during interviews, she proactively brought up the gap in the first five minutes. That way, it wasn't the elephant in the room. She'd say, 'I took four years off to focus on my family. Here's what I did to stay current.' Then she'd hand them her certification list. Luna: Did she encounter any bias or skepticism? Lucas: A little. One interviewer asked if she was 'still comfortable with pivot tables.' She laughed about it later, but she said it stung. But she turned it around by saying, 'I've been using them for a decade. Let me show you a model I built last week.' She had a portfolio ready. Luna: That's smart—having a concrete work sample to counter any doubt. Lucas: Exactly. And that portfolio included the cost optimization model she built during the returnship. It saved the bank about $1.3 million annually. So she walked into interviews with that number. Luna: One point three million? That's a powerful talking point. Lucas: It is. And it's a reminder that returning employees often bring fresh eyes. Sarah noticed inefficiencies that had been there for years because she wasn't habituated to the process. Luna: So what should a listener take away if they're considering a similar path? Lucas: First, find out if companies in your area have returnship programs. They're more common than you think—especially at banks, tech firms, and consulting firms. Second, invest in one specific certification that's highly relevant to your target role. For financial analysis, that's financial modeling or a CFA refresher. Third, network intentionally. Reach out to former colleagues and alumni. One conversation can open a door. Luna: And fourth, don't underestimate the value of your gap. Sarah's story shows that taking time off can actually make you more focused and efficient. Lucas: Right. She also mentioned that during her gap, she volunteered as a treasurer for her kids' school PTA. That gave her hands-on experience with budgeting and financial reporting. She included that on her resume. Luna: That's a great way to keep skills fresh without a formal job. Lucas: Exactly. So if you're listening and you've been out of the workforce, don't think you've lost your edge. You might have gained something else. Sarah Mitchell went from a 4-year gap to senior financial analyst in two years. That's not an outlier—it's a blueprint. Luna: I'd add that the returnship model is worth researching. The bank told us they have a 90 percent retention rate for returnship hires. That's a strong signal that both sides benefit. Lucas: Good point. And if you're an employer listening, maybe think about starting a returnship program. The talent pool of parents looking to return is deep and motivated. Luna: So to wrap up, the takeaway is: prepare, network, own your story, and look for returnships. Lucas: That's it. Thanks for listening. We'll be back next week with another comeback story.