Considering a career hiatus? We've gathered insights from career coaches and founders to guide you through this critical decision. From assessing the lead time for your next opportunity to aligning the break with your personal seasons, explore the diverse perspectives of 18 experts on the merits and considerations of taking a career break.
Assess Lead Time for Next Opportunity
I am hard-pressed to think of a scenario in which a career break would not be a good idea. Chances are, if you're considering a career break—to recharge, reevaluate, or take care of personal matters—you need one. Thanks to the Great Resignation, career breaks have been normalized, and the best employers appreciate future employees who took a more original, less linear route. The most important thing to consider while evaluating a break is being realistic about how much lead time you'll need to find your next opportunity. You may need to spend six to nine months of that break searching for a role, so be realistic about the impact that will have on your break.
Cydnee DeToy, Career Coach, Cydnee DeToy Coaching
Embrace Clarity and Support Needs
Often, career breaks aren't a choice (or don't feel like one) and are due to a lack of affordable childcare, the need to be a caregiver, physical or mental health issues such as recovering after surgery or burnout, or perhaps because the family is moving for the spouse's job and it took a bit of time to get settled and re-established. Regardless, the perception of a career break has become more acceptable than ever, particularly following the Great Resignation (or 'she-cession') when many women left their roles during the pandemic. Feel free to add a line to your resume or LinkedIn profile with the timeframe of your break and the information you are comfortable sharing, whether it's maternity leave, caregiver leave, a leave of absence, or simply a career break.
What's great about career breaks of any kind is that often, the time and space provide a sense of clarity about your current role—either a renewed sense of purpose or the understanding that you are ready for something different. If it's the former, before you head back, consider the support you might need to ensure success when you return, whether that's setting boundaries on hours for your health or arranging childcare. If you're in the latter group and you are ready for a change, consider whether it's a different company or a different career that will offer you what you need. In either case, it can be helpful to utilize the break to gain new skills or grow your network to give you momentum when you decide the time is right to reenter the workforce.
Sara Madera, Career Coach and Founder, Plan Creatively
Plan Break Around Career Aspirations
Career breaks can be a valuable opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and re-evaluation of career goals. One crucial consideration when evaluating a career break is to have a clear plan for how you will spend this time and how it aligns with your long-term career aspirations. This ensures the break is not only rejuvenating but also strategically beneficial, positioning you for even greater success upon reentry into the workforce.
Garrison Leykam, Certified Professional Career Coach, Garrison Leykam, LLC
Learn Valuable Skills During Break
Career breaks can be a great idea! It is important to consider why you want to take a break and what you will gain from that time away. Some of my clients have taken breaks by choice and traveled the world.
One consideration to take when evaluating a career break is what type of invaluable skills and lessons it can provide that you wouldn't receive in the workplace. It's important to convey those lessons to any potential employer because they will add value to a role and an organization.
Valerie Martinelli, MPA, CEO & Career Leadership Coach, Valerie Martinelli Consulting, LLC
Consider Personal Situation and Goals
The answer to this question isn't black-and-white and often depends on the situation and whose perspective you're viewing it from.
Career breaks can be a good idea for professionals for several reasons. First, these breaks can provide time for self-reflection, exploring new passions, learning new skills, or pursuing educational opportunities. Stepping away from the day-to-day of the corporate world can also allow people to develop fresh perspectives and insights into their careers or industries. It can also be a great time to warm up and expand your professional network. Lastly, a career break can give a professional the time needed to deal with personal matters (e.g., health or caring for a loved one).
On the flip side, there can be a large financial impact due to the temporary loss of income, so professionals need to be diligent with their financial planning. Extended breaks can stall a professional's career advancement or even make it more challenging to re-enter the workforce. Some recruiters or hiring managers might be worried about skill attrition, a loss or decline in the professional's proficiency level. Lastly, some employers will scrutinize your employment gap, so you will need to develop a well-thought-out explanation.
Ultimately, professionals must carefully consider their personal circumstances, financials, and career goals to determine whether a career break would be a good idea.
Tristan Layfield, Owner & Principal Career Coach, Layfield Resume Consulting
Analyze Finances Before Career Break
Coming from someone who took a five-month break and changed industries in 2015, whether a career break is a good idea depends on the specific circumstances of the professional. One consideration is finances. Are your finances able to support your financial obligations and lifestyle while taking a career break? If you are unsure, you should analyze your budget to see how you would be able to fund a career break based on the length of the break and your available funds and savings.
Vanessa Francis Gray, Career Coach, VFG Consulting Group
Set Goals for Growth During Break
Breaks are an important aspect of your career journey; however, they can vary greatly from person to person. Some breaks are deeply personal, while others are carefully planned. Regardless of the reason, taking a break can be beneficial, as it provides an opportunity to reassess the value you are adding to your career and life.
If you find yourself needing to take an unplanned break, it is crucial to plan how you will use that time effectively. Consider setting goals and outlining activities that will help you grow personally or professionally during this period.
Breaks for caregiving, parenthood, illness, or other personal reasons should be approached without shame. When you decide to return to the workforce, be open about your time away. Highlight the skills, resilience, and insights you gained during this period. Being transparent about your break can demonstrate your ability to manage life's complexities and can add a unique perspective to your professional profile.
If you have planned a professional break or find yourself laid off and unable to secure a job immediately, it is essential to plan, prioritize, and give yourself some structured time off. Use this period to reflect on your career aspirations, identify new skills you want to develop, and get help, if needed, to explore different paths. Without a clear plan, it's easy to fall into procrastination. By setting clear objectives and maintaining a proactive mindset, you can turn a professional break into a time of growth and preparation for your next opportunity.
In summary, I believe whether personal or professional, breaks can be invaluable if approached with intention and clarity. They offer a chance to rejuvenate, reassess, and realign your goals, ensuring that when you return to your career, you do so with renewed purpose and direction.
Nahida Coelho, Founder & Career Coach, DiscoverU.in
Articulate Value of Break Experience
Purposeful career breaks can be just what the doctor ordered. For some, it's a question of recapturing wellness or tending to family needs. For others, it involves running toward an opportunity, be it travel, education, or a serious side hustle.
Whatever the catalyst, before committing to the move, consider your ideal reentry point and who the gatekeepers will be. Chances are, your time away will produce wins, losses, and a wealth of lessons learned. Being able to articulate the purpose, path, and outcome of your 'break' will help you showcase the value of time away. Never discount that experience or sell yourself short.
Tim Toterhi, CHRO, Plotline Leadership
Align Break with Personal Vision
Ultimately, the impact of a career break depends on how well it aligns with your long-term vision, priorities, and values.
When I have clients facing any pivotal career or life decision, I ask them, "Would this choice move you closer to, or further away from, your ideal life? How?"
If you want to live a life that you love, it's critical to get very clear on exactly what YOU want that life to look like. Understanding your personal values and having a clear vision of your ideal life can help you identify what's truly important—and what isn't—so that you can make intentional decisions designed to bring that life to reality.
So, does taking a career break move you closer to, or farther away from, the life YOU want for yourself? How?
Melanie Lashus, Career Coach, Live Your Lightning, Inc.
Stay Industry-Involved During Break
Sometimes, a career break is necessary. How you handle a career break is important because when you reenter the workforce, you want to be marketable. While you are on break, still keep yourself involved with your industry. Perhaps you volunteer in your community, or perhaps you take on a small project. These endeavors are still meaningful and relevant. If your career break is more than six months, list the volunteer work or project on your resume. Better yet, if you spent some time furthering your education, include this information on your resume. Career breaks can be beneficial in many ways, but always plan ahead for your return to work.
Susan Sweenie, Founder, New Path Careers
Consider Break's Purpose and Growth
Career breaks can be invaluable, depending on how and why you take them and what you learn from the experience. Having taken a few career breaks, I can attest to their transformative potential. In my 20s, I spent a year traveling, studying, and volunteering in South America, which was personally and professionally life-changing. On the other hand, I was forced to take time off after being hit by a car while simultaneously dealing with my father's final illness. Despite the challenges, this break provided a pivotal moment of clarity and growth in my career.
When evaluating a career break, consider the purpose and potential growth it offers. Whether it's a planned sabbatical to gain new skills or an unplanned pause to recover from personal hardships, the key is to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. A well-considered career break can lead to renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of your professional path.
Andrea Miller, CEO, LeadWell Company
Explore Unrelated Interests for Growth
As a therapist and coach, I'd say that one often overlooked yet powerful reason to take a career break is to explore interests or passions completely unrelated to your current job. This might sound counterintuitive, especially in a world that values linear career paths, but stepping away from your career to dive into something different can be incredibly enriching.
Take, for example, a client of mine, Moira. She decided to take a year off from her high-stress finance job to travel and volunteer around the world. Instead of focusing on career advancement, Moira spent her time teaching, organic farming, and learning new languages. This break allowed her to discover new parts of herself and explore interests she'd never considered before.
When she returned to the finance sector, she brought back a fresh perspective, increased emotional intelligence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Her experiences made her a more effective leader and reignited her passion for her work. She could connect with people from various backgrounds and had a deeper understanding of global markets, which gave her a unique edge in her field.
A career break isn't just a pause; it can be a chance for profound personal growth and self-discovery. Stepping out of your professional bubble and embracing new experiences can give you fresh insights and renewed energy.
Manuel Schlothauer, Founder, HeyManuel.com
Justify Break with Confidence
I think career breaks are good, but what damages the comeback is the person's ability to confidently justify the break. Firstly, you shouldn't have to justify taking a break to spend time with family, travel the world, or chase a passion project, and those experiences can be precious. So, own your decision!
But when you return to the workforce, confidently explain how the break benefited you. Did it give you better mental health or help you learn new skills? Highlight those aspects!
However, a little pre-comeback preparation can go a long way if you take a longer break (think six months or more). Before re-entering the job market, take some time to brush up on your industry's latest trends. This shows initiative and keeps you from being seen as "out of touch."
For example, let's say you're a graphic designer taking a year off to volunteer in social work. While you're away, new design software comes out. Spend a few weeks before your job search and familiarize yourself with it.
Harshit Gupta, Entrepreneur and Digital Marketing Trainer, GrowthAcad
Prioritize Well-Being with Breaks
I grew my first company from an underfunded $30 startup to a national franchise that employed over 50 professionals and produced over $12 million in revenue. I accomplished this in less than ten years. That level of growth was akin to riding a roller coaster without a harness. When I sold the company, I was exhausted! I needed a break. Ten years of running caught up with me, and to be honest, had I not sold the company and taken some time off, I might have collapsed.
The day I left my company was the strangest day of my life. I went from CEO of a drama-prone franchise system to unemployed with nothing to do in one day. It was a culture shock at first, but the break let my mind, body, and soul relax. In that state of rest, I wrote my first book, which chronicled my crazy entrepreneurial journey and gave me the emotional release I needed to close that chapter of my life and move on to bigger and better things.
With a clear head and some cash in the bank, I set out on a new adventure, taking with me all that I had learned and experienced. We entrepreneurs run at full steam, sometimes for extended periods of time. Whether you sell your company like I did or take the occasional sabbatical to catch your breath, taking a break might very well be the best thing you do this year. Your well-being deserves it!
Thomas Minieri, Founder & Author, Lemonade Maker®
Balance Family and Professional Development
I've taken less stressful jobs during my career to focus on my sons. It can put a small dent in your career progression, but only sometimes. Professional development and volunteering are great ways to take another step forward while putting your family's needs at the forefront.
I found professional development opportunities to enhance my writing skills, which translate across most industries. It's one of the best ways for modern job seekers to scale their careers, even while working. Tech, Human Resources, and Customer Service cover many industries with a high ceiling for growth opportunities.
During my career breaks, I still earned money, just less. My availability became an asset for both, as the mental break refreshed my perspective and reenergized my yearning to create purposeful career moves. LinkedIn is a great way to stay connected during career breaks and to stay apprised of industry trends.
Mark Anthony Dyson, Founder, The Voice of Job Seekers
Plan Re-Entry and Maintain Relevance
Taking a career break can indeed be a valuable decision under certain circumstances. Sure, it provides individuals with opportunities for personal growth, rejuvenation, and exploration, but it comes with risks. A crucial consideration when contemplating a career break is to have a clear plan for re-entry into the workforce and maintaining professional relevance during the hiatus. You must have a clear-cut plan on how to get back in the game, even before you take a pause.
It's essential to leverage that time away from work effectively, whether through pursuing further education, acquiring new skills, volunteering, or engaging in passion projects. Yes, it's time for rest, but it's also time for growth and development. By proactively investing in personal and professional development during the break, individuals can mitigate the risk of skills depreciation and enhance their employability upon returning to the workforce. Staying connected with industry networks, attending relevant events, and keeping abreast of industry trends can help individuals stay informed and position themselves for a smooth transition back into the workforce when the time comes.
Michael Hurwitz, CEO and Co-Founder, Careers in Government
Volunteer for Purpose and Community
If you're taking a career break and not ready to go straight back to your professional life, consider taking on a volunteer role with an organization you care about. Don't worry about whether the organization aligns with your profession or even if your volunteer role uses the same skills as your career. Go find a cause that fulfills you. And as a bonus, you'll also find a community of like-minded, similarly passionate folks. Whether you're taking a career break because you need some kind of rejuvenation or not, connecting to your purpose and a purpose-aligned community will do you a world of good. You'll come out of that experience feeling better grounded and connected to your inner identity. So whenever you're ready to dive back into your career, you'll have built up a powerful reserve of strength. And chances are, you'll have an expanded network to lean on for your return to work.
Pat Fligge, Director of Temple Professional Network, Temple University
Align Break with Personal Seasons
Career breaks are neither inherently good nor bad. What makes a career break a good idea is its alignment with your needs and goals. Our lives are made up of a series of seasons, and sometimes, we're met with a season where our career is not our top priority—not even close. A season where to achieve what really matters to us, we need to take a break from focusing on our careers. If a career break will allow you to best serve your highest priority in the current season of your life, then it's worth taking.
Rebecca Morrison, Happiness Coach & Author of The Happiness Recipe, Untangle Happiness