Taking a career break in todays job climate

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by drum_dude

Yep I do see what you're saying, but I can only talk from my own experience in that I have been out of work on many occasions as a result of me telling an employer to either get stuffed or - for my last unemployment stint - taking a study break.

I suppose it's just down to the person that one is - I find interviews a doddle and can 99% of the time say the right thing that leads to a job offer. I would imagine that if you struggled to get a job in the 1st instance due to interview techniques or confidence etc then a career break may not be a good idea...

however...

travelling round the world etc can do wonders for one's confidence and outlook on life! That means more then any cert or experience on the planet!

Again this is just my opinion and I do not advise that peeps should just quit jobs without thought and/or advice.

Like you, I've never had problems getting jobs either. I'm either asked to apply for positions, or I send my resume to a single company, get the interview, and get hired. But I know from hearing everyone else's experiences that our experiences are not typical. Thus, I can't look at this situation using only my own limited viewpoint - I have to combine that with what I've seen and heard everyone else go through. Otherwise, I'd have advised that he take as long and as expensive of a trip as he could.

[sunn]

I get BM’s point of view, quite frankly I share it for my current situation (family, home, finances…).

When I was younger I chose the career development over travel. In retrospect, I’ve done well, but it’s a mindset. Another words, it wasn’t that I gave up on a trip, it’s that I chose career before most other things – but that’s me!

You’re 22. This might be a great experience. If you don’t have the commitments tying you down, enjoy the trip.

[Fastracksteve]

I'm 37 and have just taken a 9 month career break in the Canary Isles. Whilst the initial "return-to-work" mindset was hard to re-capture the job wasn't. I was lucky enough to get straight back to work.

At your age, go for it