Written by: Linda Evans, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If you’re planning to take an extended break from a full-time paid job but want to position yourself to transition back to a full-time career as smoothly as possible, this article is for you!
People step away from full-time paid jobs (perhaps switching to part-time, unpaid, and/or at-home jobs) for many reasons. However, the most common are caring for young or elderly family members and recovering from personal health challenges, whether physical or mental.
Taking a break from a full-time career, especially one that took years to build, can create great inner turmoil such as an identity crisis. Modern society places high emphasis on our job titles, but we are so much more than our occupational roles. Leaving a full-time job can feel jarring and unsettling for many reasons so remind yourself of the higher purposes for your career break.
Not all career breaks are foreseeable or intentional. However much control you have over the timing and conditions of your break, here are some steps you can take to prepare for a successful re-entry into full-time paid work.
1. Reinforce Your Identities
You are more than your job title. Make a list of all the other important and meaningful roles you have cultivated in your life (i.e., parent, daughter/son, friend, musician, gardener, social justice advocate, runner, a devotee to your religion, etc.) and invest your time and energy in living up to those. This will help prevent a deep sense of loss when you give up your professional position.
2. Wrap Up Strong
Whether you have weeks or months to prepare for your departure from your full-time job, do your very best to complete all your projects and set up your replacement for success. Leave a strong positive last impression with everyone you work with; you never know how your paths may cross in the future and how you might help each other progress in your careers. See my previous article, “Leaving a Job with Grace and Generosity.”
3. Strengthen Your Network
When you’re ready to return to the workplace, who you know will help you much more than simply updating your resume and sending in applications. Set up informational interviews with new contacts, and make sure to take notes and send thank you notes! Schedule catch-up calls/meetings with former contacts to see what you can learn from each other. Strive to continue meeting new people throughout your career break and stay in touch with them on LinkedIn.
4. Stay Updated
Today’s economy changes faster than ever. Create a plan to stay current on trends in your industry or explore new industries. Try to dedicate some time each week to improve your skills and knowledge.
Read - Peruse industry websites and social media accounts. Read bestselling books in your field.
Listen/Watch - Find relevant podcasts. Sign up for webinars.
Participate - Attend conferences, webinars, and networking events when possible. Pace yourself with online classes.
Maintain - Keep professional association memberships and credentials active.
5. Stay Current in Your Resume
Whether it be volunteering or taking on part-time work, maintain a role in your resume that ends with “Present” for the date. It could be serving as a mentor or tutor for youth, doing freelance work, or volunteering once a month at a community nonprofit. The time commitment does not have to be huge, but it will allow you to continue building your skills, knowledge, and network.
6. Set Future Goals
One of the rewarding parts of full-time jobs is having concrete goalposts to work towards and then feeling that sense of accomplishment when you reach them. When that external motivation is no longer there, some people may feel lost and purposeless. (Take the free Four Tendencies Quiz to see what kind of structure will best set you up for success) So preemptively set yourself up for periodic victories, whether it be to earn an online certificate by a certain time, read a certain number of books, write a blog post a month, or whatever feels fulfilling to you in your field.
Of course, life consists of so many more things than your professional career. Remind yourself that you don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed about taking a break from full-time work in order to attend to other more important and urgent aspects of life. If you intend to return to a full-time career, implementing the steps above will help you make that transition back.
Linda Evans, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Linda Evans is a Career Coach who helps people gain greater clarity and confidence in career exploration, career transitions, and career changes through personal branding and CliftonStrengths using a unique combination of coaching, consulting, and counseling. Linda has a M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University and coaching certificate from New York University. She started her business, Launched by Linda, in 2011 and has worked in higher education for 10 years at 5 universities in Utah, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. She also enjoys writing articles and speaking in webinars, conferences, panels, and podcasts.
