Have you ever felt the need to step back from your career to recharge or gain a new perspective? Taking a career break might be the key to achieving greater happiness in your personal life, but it doesn’t have to be the death of your career. In fact, stepping back from a long-term career can boost your professional success in the long term. In this blog, we explore how a well-planned career break can be a game-changer for your personal and professional growth.

What is a Career Break?

A career break is planned time away from your regular job to focus on personal development, family, travel, education, or other pursuits. This time off can range from a few months to several years and can take various forms, such as long-service, parental, personal, compassionate, or gap years.

Benefits of a Career Break

So, what are the benefits of taking a career break? We’ve listed eight, but there are likely many more positive advantages of taking a break from your regular job. Of course, there are negatives, too, but we’ll explore those later.

1. Professional Development

Taking time off allows you to learn new skills or pursue further education, enhancing your professional qualifications and making you more competitive in the job market. It’s also an ideal time to explore professional interests outside your current job, especially if you’ve been considering a career change.

2. Personal Development

Do you have a passion project that’s been on the back burner for a long time? It might be time to dust it off with a career break. A career break allows you to explore new interests, travel, or engage in personal projects, leading to greater self-awareness and personal development.

3. Mental Health & Wellbeing

In Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report, Australia and New Zealand had the second-highest stress rate at 47%. So, stepping away from work pressures cannot be overstated.  A career break can reduce stress and prevent burnout, improving mental health and overall well-being.

4. Productivity

After a period of rest and rejuvenation, you can return to work with renewed energy and focus, which can lead to increased productivity and creativity. Taking regular career breaks can significantly boost productivity, as supported by an Australian study involving university staff that found both short breaks and longer holidays have restorative benefits, improving both cognitive function and emotional well-being. The study showed that breaks help refresh the mind, enhancing focus and creativity upon return to work. So, if you feel like you’re wading through concrete at work, it might be time to consider a career break seriously.

5. New Perspective

If you’re feeling bored at work, gaining a new perspective can be helpful. Experiencing new cultures, meeting different people, and encountering diverse situations can provide you with new and innovative ideas that can benefit your professional life. So, book that round-the-world trip or spend time in a new town!

6. Work-Life Balance

The elusive work-life balance can be tricky to manage, but taking a complete break can breathe life into your personal life. A career break allows you to spend quality time with family and friends, strengthening your relationships for a better work-life balance on your return to your career.

7. Start a Business

If being your own boss has always been a life goal, a career break can get the ball rolling. Taking a career break to start a business is a strategic move that allows you to dedicate the necessary time and resources to plan, develop and launch your entrepreneurial dream.

8. Career Change

Taking a break from your regular job can bring the much-needed clarity to reevaluate your career goals and aspirations, potentially paving the way for a more fulfilling and purposeful career path.

 

Planning a Career Break

If you decide to take a career break, make a solid plan that considers your financial situation, future goals, and personal and professional growth.

Budget

If you have accrued annual or long-service leave, taking a career break is easier financially. However, if you don’t have paid leave or want to extend your time off, creating a budget is crucial to ensure you can cover your living expenses and any additional costs without financial stress. Seeking professional financial advice is advised to avoid accumulating debt during your break, allowing you to enjoy your time off without monetary worries.

Set Goals

Setting specific goals for your career break, whether personal or professional, ensures you make the most of your time off and achieve what you set out to do. Start by identifying activities that support your goals, such as travel, volunteering, or education, to ensure your break is productive and fulfilling!

Stay Relevant

Even if the point of your break is to rest and recover, it’s important to stay relevant in your career, especially if it’s extended leave. During your time off, try to maintain or improve your professional skills by taking courses, attending workshops, or engaging in freelance work. It’s also important to stay connected with your professional network and keep up with industry trends to help ease your return to work and ensure you remain relevant in your field.

Re-entering the Workforce

Returning to work after a career break can be challenging due to skills gaps, perceived lack of commitment, weakened professional connections, and the need to balance personal life adjustments with work demands. So, to ensure a smooth transition back to work, it’s vital to strategically upskill, rebuild your networks, and effectively communicate the value of the break.

Smooth Transition

After an extended career break, it’s important to be prepared to make the transition as smooth as possible. Make sure you update your resume (see the benefits of a functional resume) and LinkedIn profile with any new skills or experiences gained during your break.

Rebuild your Networks

While on a career break, it’s crucial to stay in contact with work colleagues, clients, and industry associates to ensure a smooth transition back to work. In the lead-up to your return to work, make sure you connect with your network via LinkedIn or by attending conferences and networking events.

Highlighting Your Break

If you’re not returning to your previous career, highlight the benefits of your career break when applying for new jobs. In job interviews, emphasise the positive aspects of your career break, such as personal growth, professional development and newly acquired skills.

Functional Resume Format

If you’re worried about the gap in your resume, use the functional resume format. This type of resume focuses on skills and experiences rather than chronological work history, highlighting your qualifications without paying too much attention to the gap.

 

A career break can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. If you successfully use your time off wisely, you can return to work with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. Remember, your career is a marathon, not a sprint. So, take the time to pause, reflect, grow and enjoy greater achievements in the long term.

 

Can we help you find a new direction?  If you have professional development goals – we can help while you’re on a career break! Simply reach out to one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 76 2221 or Live Chat.