Does Taking a Career Break Look Bad?
If you’ve ever thought about taking a break from your career, you may be wondering if employers will look down on your decision. The answer is no – in many cases, taking a career break can be beneficial for both you and your employer.
Benefits of a Career Break
When you take a career break, you might think that your skills or experience will get rusty, but the truth is, there are plenty of benefits of taking a break from your job. Some of the reasons a career break can be worthwhile include:
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- Personal Reasons: Taking the time to focus on yourself and your personal life can help you relax and become more motivated. Plus, you’ll have more time to devote to hobbies and activities that you’re passionate about.
- Career Development:Taking a break from your career is a great opportunity to gain new skills and work on personal development. This can make you more valuable to your current employer and open up better career prospects down the road.
- Job Change Preparation: If you’re interested in transitioning from one job to another, taking a career break can give you the time you need to find the perfect fit.
Presenting Your Career Break on Your Resume
When you’re ready to go back to work and present your career break on your resume, there are a few tips that can help.
- Be Honest: No matter why you took a career break, you should be honest and forthcoming with employers. Lying on your resume won’t do you any favors, so be sure to include any timing gaps honestly.
- Highlight New Skills:Talk about the new skills you learned or experiences you had on your career break. If you took any classes or volunteer opportunities, make sure to include them on your resume.
- Explain Benefits: Make sure to emphasize what you gained from your career break and how your new skills and experiences can benefit your future employer.
Final Thoughts
Taking a career break doesn’t have to be a bad thing in the eyes of employers. In fact, it can often lead to personal and professional growth. If you have the opportunity to take a career break, make sure to consider the potential benefits and take the time to highlight them on your resume.
