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What about my career?
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Career breaks and sabbaticals are now widely accepted and viewed by employers as a positive thing. In fact, many big companies now have career break policies in place, as they know that it helps them to recruit and retain staff. Whether you are nervous about asking your current employer for a career break, or worried about how potential employers will view your break upon your return we aim to answer all your concerns here.
I'm worried about approaching my boss about a career break
Believe it or not, worrying about how to approach the boss is one of the biggest reasons that people put off taking a career break. The first thing to do is find out whether your company has a career break or sabbatical policy. The HR department should be able to tell you. Usually career breaks are unpaid and often you are required to have been an employee for at least two years, however, every company varies.
If your company does not have an official career break policy, then don't give up. It may be that they have never been asked about career breaks before, or, they may be in the process of developing a policy. Whatever the reason, if you don't ask, you don't get! Before you approach your manager, look at it from their point of view. Make a list of the ways in which they will benefit and present your ideas to them in a positive, enthusiast and confident way. Bear in mind that by allowing you to take a career break, you are less likely to leave later down the line and they will realise this. They will also be able to retain your skills and experience and remember, recruitment and training is a costly business so it will usually be in your company's best interest to allow you to take some time off.
By taking a career break you will develop on a personal level and these are the sorts of new skills you may return with and put to good use on a daily basis at work: problem -solving; tackling challenges; budgeting; leadership; new language(s); adaptability; negotiation; confidence.
I'm concerned that potential employers will not look favourably upon my break in employment history
If you decide to leave your current job altogether to travel, then the first thing to ensure is that you leave your company in a good light. If you have well and truly had enough, hate your job and can't stand the people you work with, do not shout this out as you leave on your last day! You may need them for a reference upon your return or they may be handy for a few useful contacts. Many people end up getting jobs from old contacts when they return so stay in touch with as many work-related people as you can!
When you get home, make sure you update your CV explaining where you have been and what you have been doing. Be sure to include any new skills you have learnt and challenges you overcame.
I would love to take a career break and travel, but now just isn't the right time
At Gap Year For Grown Ups we understand that sometimes it just isn't the right time to take a career break, but this doesn't mean that you have to miss out. At Gap Year For Grown Ups we offer many short trips from two weeks plus meaning you can still do something really inspiring with your annual leave. IF two weeks isn't quite long enough then consider taking an additional week unpaid, or taking all of your annual leave in one go.
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