Considering a Career Break?
Taking a break in your career can come in various forms, such as a gap year, sabbatical, or simply a need for time off to refresh, recharge, or explore new opportunities.
Whether you choose to take a break voluntarily or circumstances require it, it’s important to consider your options for leaving and how to make the most of your time.
The Necessity of a Career Break
In some cases, taking a career break may not be a choice but a necessity.
Reasons for the break could include layoffs, childcare responsibilities, caring for a family member, or personal illness.
While these situations may result in a gap in your employment, effectively communicating your circumstances and demonstrating your ability to re-enter the workforce can help employers understand your situation.
Staying up-to-date with industry skills and maintaining connections during your time off can also show your commitment and readiness to jump back into the workforce.
Career Break Options
If your career break is a deliberate choice to pursue travel, relaxation, or fulfilling lifelong dreams, it’s essential to handle the transition professionally. Just because taking a career break is unconventional doesn’t mean you have to leave your job in an unconventional way.
Consider the following career break options:
1.) Leave Your Job, Keep an Income
Leaving your current career doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning work entirely.
If financial reasons require you to continue earning income, explore opportunities like working abroad or freelancing before leaving your job. This allows you to maintain a steady income while pursuing new experiences.
2.) Leave the Rat Race but Have a Plan
If your goal is to leave your career behind and fully devote yourself to studying, volunteering, or pursuing other personal interests, careful planning is crucial.
Research arrangements, costs, and how you will manage without a regular income. Starting the planning process before taking your leave will ensure a more fulfilling time away from work, free from excessive worries about logistics.
3.) Leaving to Care for a Family Member
If you’re taking a career break to care for children, a parent, or yourself, explore all available options.
Familiarize yourself with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which protects your health benefits and guarantees a position at work for up to 12 weeks.
If your absence from work is indefinite, resign from your job courteously and professionally to maintain a positive reputation and potential for future employment.
How to Plan for a Smooth Return to Work After a Career Break
While a career break offers the opportunity for personal growth and exploration, it’s important to plan for a smooth return to the workforce.
Consider these strategies to make the transition back to work easier:
1. Stay updated: During your career break, stay informed about industry trends, advancements, and changes. Read industry publications, take online courses, attend webinars, or participate in networking events to stay connected and knowledgeable about your field.
2. Maintain connections: Keep in touch with former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts. Regularly reach out, attend professional events, and engage in conversations to nurture relationships and stay on their radar.
3. Update your resume: While on your career break, periodically update your resume to include any new skills, experiences, or certifications acquired. This will make it easier to capture your career break activities and ensure your resume is up to date when you’re ready to re-enter the job market.
4. Be prepared for interviews: Practice your interview skills and be ready to explain the reasons for your career break and how it has positively impacted your personal and professional development. Highlight the skills and experiences gained during your time off and demonstrate your readiness to contribute to the workforce.
5. Tap into your network: Leverage your professional network when you’re ready to return to work. Inform them of your availability and interest in exploring new opportunities. Networking can often uncover hidden job opportunities or lead to valuable referrals.
6. Consider flexible work options: If you desire a better work-life balance, explore flexible work arrangements, such as part-time, remote, or freelance work. These options can provide flexibility while allowing you to ease back into the workforce.
Embracing the Career Break Experience
A career break can be a transformative experience that brings new perspectives, skills, and personal growth. Embrace the lessons learned during your time away and highlight how the career break has positively influenced your professional journey.
Career Break Ideas
Taking a career break is a significant decision that requires planning, certainty, and courage. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Join an expedition!
- Work in a foreign country!
- Find a job that involves travel, such as working on a cruise boat.
- Volunteer for your favorite organization or charity.
- Engage in further education, learning a language, acquiring new skills, or pursuing a fulfilling career in healthcare, sales, finance, or any field of interest.
- Embark on a cross-country road trip to explore lesser-known places.
- Fully immerse yourself in a long-desired passion, such as writing a novel, researching your family tree, or dedicating time to photography or your rock band.
The possibilities are endless, and only you know what truly resonates with you.
Summary:
Taking a career break is a bold decision that requires careful planning, financial considerations, and the courage to step out of your comfort zone.
By exploring different career break options, considering ideas that align with your passions, and planning for a smooth return, you can make the most of your time off and set yourself up for success in the future.
Remember, you have one life, so go out and live it! When you’re ready to return to the “real world,” come back for valuable tips on accelerating your job search. Until then, bon voyage!