After years working in the same role or industry, many people decide to take planned prolonged absences from their position. Career breaks or pauses are different from sabbaticals, as with the former, workers do not plan to return to their former company. Instead, they may use the transitionary period to build skills for a completely different position or industry. There is no right way to plan a career break. What individuals choose to do ultimately depends on the reasons for their absence and their post-break goals.
One of the most common reasons people take a career break is a life change, such as moving to be with a long-distance partner or caring for a child. According to a LinkedIn survey, more than 80 percent of new parents take a hiatus from their careers. Career breaks can also be involuntary, as in the case of a lay-off. Many people also pause their careers due to debilitating burnout.
Burnout is a condition triggered by immense workplace stressors. It is common in caring professions or industries where workers are constantly exposed to traumatic situations. Burnout can also occur due to a toxic and poorly managed work environment. Over time, burned-out workers may develop mental health issues and even physical symptoms. For some workers, taking a break is part of the recovery process.
Career breaks are also advised for people who are satisfied in their careers but feel that they have plateaued in their achievement. In this case, they can dedicate their pause to full-time learning or gaining volunteer experience to give them insight into their next career move. Other people may use the time to travel the world and learn new languages and cultures. Planning for a career break includes preparing before leaving employment, outlining goals for the pause, and a trajectory for returning into the workplace.
If possible, building a savings cushion to cover basic expenses before embarking on a career break can minimize financial stress. Some people will downsize their living expenses by moving in with family or moving to a cheaper area. Career breaks don’t necessarily mean a break from earning income. It is very common for people to finance their pause with intermittent freelance work or a part-time, low-pressure job.
While the stigma against resume gaps is fading, some new employers may wonder what applicants have accomplished during their career break. For this reason, it is essential to set career break goals. If an individual leaves work due to burnout, the goals can include following healthy self-care routines and meeting with a counselor.
Once they are back in health, they can review their options for a new career. People looking to break into a new field can start networking and finding volunteering roles to gain experience. Not only does this give direction, but it also serves as skills and accomplishments to list on a resume.
Throughout the pause, individuals should stay in contact with their professional connections. This way, they can stay informed of what is happening in their industry and be aware of possible job opportunities when they are ready to return. Some companies offer special "returnship" programs for parents and other caregivers returning from extended career breaks.
