Taking a break from career

Mingchun, I'm with Keith. I'd like to say things have moved on since I joined the workplace although I am sure there will be people who ask about every gap and would be concerned. I wouldn't. People take breaks of a few months for a number of reasons. If you address it upfront as part of the telling the story of your career to date it will be a matter of seconds in that story. Many people do interesting things in their gaps too which can have a direct or indirect bearing on their work.

The one practical consideration to make is around having enough money to see you through the gap with no regular pay coming in.

Getting a new job at the end of a break might take some time and it's good to know you can survive financially during that time so there is less of a risk of taking a job because it's a financial imperative. The latter might result in some stressed choices whereas I imagine you'd prefer to make some relaxed, informed ones.

Good luck.

Mingchun, I'm with Keith. I'd like to say things have moved on since I joined the workplace although I am sure there will be people who ask about every gap and would be concerned. I wouldn't. People take breaks of a few months for a number of reasons. If you address it upfront as part of the telling the story of your career to date it will be a matter of seconds in that story. Many people do interesting things in their gaps too which can have a direct or indirect bearing on their work.

The one practical consideration to make is around having enough money to see you through the gap with no regular pay coming in.

Getting a new job at the end of a break might take some time and it's good to know you can survive financially during that time so there is less of a risk of taking a job because it's a financial imperative. The latter might result in some stressed choices whereas I imagine you'd prefer to make some relaxed, informed ones.

Good luck.

Thank you Sharon. Very informative!

My pleasure. I'm a professional interim so have lots of 'gaps' in my t'raditional CV' so I am used to explaining to fellow HR professionals, who are my clients, what I do during them & also planning my business revenue to cover the times when I don't have fees coming in.

Good luck. Taking a break can open up new opportunities to take your career in a fresh direction or refresh you for a long career, whether it's a permanent career or any other one.