Career Breaks: How to Manage Them?

Either it’s a long career break after completing years of education or a quick break from the hustle and burnout. We all have taken career breaks, and we deserve to take a few as part of being human; we deserve to rest. But the corporate world requires you to explain the gap. Therefore, we need a plan for managing the career break. In this blog, we are going to discover different tips and courses that help you manage your career break.

Let’s see how you can manage your career break in a way that would not impact your mental, physical and career life. There are many reasons why someone might take a career break and it is important to know if you want to take one and how it is beneficial for you, or maybe how you can make the break a breakthrough for your career.

Why Do We Take Career Breaks?

According to a 2022 LinkedIn global study surveying over 22,000 workers, 62% have taken a career break at some point, with 35% interested in future ones. In India, burnout drives many, as 59% reported symptoms per a 2023 McKinsey survey. A 2023 Milieu Insight study across Southeast Asia found health (17%) and job transitions (17%) as the top reasons.

This explains that each of us might take a break or have taken a career break. There are many reasons why anyone would take a break. Let’s take a look at why we take career breaks and why it is important to take one.

1.Burnout and Mental Health

Work or studies could be hectic. They both have fixed hours of work but unfixed hours of mental toll. Over 50% of the Indian population is facing burnout and signs of mental health toll. High-pressure environments tend to make anyone feel stressed and leave signs of a burnt-out body, such as constant exhaustion, tiredness, and headaches, among others. People who understand that our mental and physical health is important tend to take a break and give themselves a well-deserved rest.

2. Job Transitions and Career Shifts

One of the other biggest factors for a career break is due to a job transition or a career shift. When someone wants to transition from a certain job role to another or change the organisation, they might take a break and assess what is necessary to take for the next role. This includes preparation time, studying, and interview mock tests, which require a good amount of revision and attention, so some may take a career break to prepare for the next better job role and job transition.

3. Personal Development and Upskilling

Many people take a break in order to learn a new skill, get a new certification, or earn a diploma. Many working professionals use their weekends to pursue a professional online course; however, many courses require on-campus attendance and projects. These personal development courses, including soft skills and technical skills courses, help to create better job opportunities and boost your confidence.

4. Life Events and Responsibilities

There are times when we need to take a career break to attend to personal losses or responsibilities. This includes your dear ones falling sick or grieving the death of someone. Moreover, other reasons include going on a trip and taking time off to pursue a long-term passion or hobby. In the capitalist world, it is very easy to objectify our brain to ‘work’ or ‘function’ all the time. However, it is crucial to take time off for yourself and your family or friends. The subjective meaning of life is something you create on your own through the money you earn; this subjectivity comes from pursuing your passion, hobbies, and many other things that take time.

Top 5 Tips on How to Manage Career Breaks

When we talk about managing a career break, we mean managing how you present the career break during a job interview. Let’s find out more about how to manage career breaks:

1. Be Honest but Not Too Much: Be honest about the career gap on your resume, but avoid sharing all personal details. Explain briefly why the break was important for your mental and professional health, and frame it positively, e.g., “I took time off to recharge after a demanding project, which allowed me to return with renewed focus.”

2. Highlight Your Growth and Skills: When explaining your break, highlight your growth. Mention the skills you built through volunteering, courses, or workshops. Briefly discuss both soft and hard skills learned during this period. For example, share what you learned from specific workshops or how they enhanced your confidence.

3. Connect Your Learning to the Job Role: Link your break-time learning to the role you’re applying for. For example, “I learned how to manage projects while volunteering for an NGO.”

4. Prepare for Follow-Ups: After explaining your growth, practice follow-up questions. Take mock interviews with friends who ask about your experiences during the break. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.

5. Express Confidence and Enthusiasm: Maintain good posture and a confident tone. Your confidence greatly impacts your interview success. If you need time to answer, say, “That’s a good question; give me a moment to organize my thoughts.” Ask thoughtful questions about the company or role at the end of your interview.

When Should You Take a Career Break?

Taking a break is completely okay; it’s okay to breathe and relax. A career break helps regulate your nervous system and enables you to work better in the future. For many women, a hectic work life can lead to both physical and mental burnout, increasing cortisol levels, disturbing sleep cycles, and causing hormonal imbalances. The stress affects men too, leading to disturbed sleep, decreased testosterone levels, and potential heart-related issues.

Here are some signs that you should take a career break:

1. Emotional Exhaustion: If you experience constant stress, feel emotionally numb, or are overwhelmed, you should consider taking a break. Physical signs include headaches, fatigue, or body pain (please consult a doctor to rule out other causes).

2. Burnout Symptoms: If you feel too tired to manage daily tasks, experience brain fog, or react strongly to small issues, these are signs of burnout.

3. Loss of Motivation: If you no longer enjoy your favorite activities, feel unproductive, or struggle to complete basic chores, it might be time for a break.

4. Career Stagnation: If your job no longer challenges or excites you and you feel unappreciated, it may be time to pause and reassess your goals.

Suggestion Tips Before Taking a Break

1. Financial Security: Before going on a career break, save some money to maintain financial stability and handle emergencies.

2. Select a Short-Term Course or Certification: When you decide to take a break, enroll in one or more short-term courses or certification programs to stay motivated and improve your career prospects.

3. Stay Professionally Connected: Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your career break positively. Share your learning journey, join professional groups, and attend virtual events to stay visible and connected.

Also Read: Affordable Online Certificate Courses

Logging Out

Career breaks are okay if you understand why you are taking them. A career break after a long academic or work journey can be beneficial for your mental and physical health. Listen to your body and mind—if you feel mentally foggy, tired, or constantly drained, it’s time to pause. Set healthy boundaries in academic and corporate life to prevent burnout. Once you take a break, you can highlight your personal growth and skill development during that period for your next career move. Lastly, it’s perfectly fine to take a break and focus on yourself. All the best!