Author Topic: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?  (Read 6835 times)

retired?

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I left the working world 6 months ago and there are a few more things I'd like to accomplish before re-entering.  At this point, I can't keep my mind off job opportunities and considering what might be available, which is interfering with my mindset.  And, when recruiters do call, it is hard for me to say "I'm not looking right now".

If you have taken a year-plus off and re-entered the same field (i.e. the time away was not for the purpose of a career change), what was your experience as you tried to re-enter?

 - easy/hard to explain decision to take time off to prospective employers?  Why did you?
 - did you take a significant pay-cut?
 - how long did it take once you started looking?  This would be the first time for me looking from a position of unemployment since finishing school.  Previous searches took 3-6 months for me.  I am higher up the totem pole, so I expect it to take longer to find a comparable role.
 - opinion question.  At what point does time away become a real hindrance to re-entering?  I expect there is some length that beyond which one's choices really become narrow and the search becomes fairly difficult.  Then beyond that time, it is probably a constant level of difficulty, i.e. it is probably just as easy to re-enter after 4 years as after 3 years.

My field is not software (high decay rate in knowledge), but not history prof (low rate).  I can keep relatively up to date by reading.

In short, how long can one take off and have a relatively high prob (say 90%+) of not missing a beat?  even if the search takes some time.

Hugerat

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2015, 11:15:53 AM »
Yes, my wife and I both did this several years ago to spend time traveling. You can think about separating your re-entry into short term and long term consequences. In the short term, getting back in could be either extremely easy or pretty difficult. When we returned my wife immediately resumed working for the same company at a significantly higher salary than when we left. I, on the other hand, had a pretty difficult first year, initially landing in a poorly paid contract job. It took over a year for me to find something more meaningful. Oddly though, not once did anybody ask me about a "gap" in my resume. I suppose I could assume that some of the non-responses I received were related to the gap, but this never came up in an interview.

Longer-term, within two years of returning, we had both resumed jobs in our respective fields, and are actually earning considerably more than we were when we left. I didn't notice any skills degradation after a full year away from working. If anything, the added perspective I gained from the time off, and even the few skills I picked up during my lousy contract work are more of a long-term positive.

My advice, forget the work for now. Do what you  are trying to accomplish in your time away and go back to work when you are ready. Just don't be fooled into thinking that it will be easy to jump back in because it might not be.

Lia-Aimee

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2015, 11:45:35 AM »
I've never done this myself, but as the friendly neighborhood HR lady I'd say the most important thing is maintaining your professional contacts. Keep in personal touch with the close contacts, log into LinkedIn (etc.) maybe every few weeks to answer recruiter emails.

Off the top of my head I would recommend filling that resume gap with something (even just "sabbatical" and then list the things you've done) but the appropriateness of this does vary widely with industry and even location. An extremely generalized rule of thumb is that the more fast-paced and highly-paid your industry/field of expertise is, the harder it will be to get back into it. 

As someone who hires, I would rather see no gaps. I want an employee who NEEDS to work - whether that be for financial or emotional reasons.  What's that quote "never hire a young man with no debts and a fishing license" or something like that? Of course, if I knew you or knew your work I likely wouldn't have this reaction, thus the need for continued networking :)


couponvan

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2015, 11:55:48 AM »
I took 6 years off, and returned to the workforce in the same area 4 years ago (accounting) part time. 

- easy to explain gap?  It was fairly easy to explain my gap, as I stayed home until my child was in Kindergarten.  We had moved from a high COL area to a low COL area to afford for me to stay home.  I actually felt guilty re-entering the work force in 2011 as we didn't "need" the money and other people really needed jobs at that point.  I missed the stimulation of working and wanted to be able to pay for college down the road.  Paying for college was something I wasn't sure we'd be able to afford without me working at least part time.  I would rehearse what you are going to say when asked about the gap and have a "good" explanation.

- did you take a pay cut?   There was a pay cut, but this is likely due to the lower COL. Comps showed I was making more than the average in my area.  I did take a "title cut" for a year as they couldn't/wouldn't hire directly in at my prior level.  Honestly, that title cut was the hardest on my ego. Stupid, but true.

- How long did it take? Not long at all, but I didn't try to go back until I saw an "ideal" match. I was in a specialized area, saw one perfect posting and then used LinkedIn to submit my resume through a connection as opposed to the traditional method. I sent out 1 resume, and ended up being offered 2 jobs (the friend I was using as the connection to the other job sent it to his company and they also offered me a job) . Of the 2 jobs, I took the lower paying one that offered more hours flexibility since I only wanted to work part time.  I haven't regretted it once.  As an aside, I think it would have taken much longer without using the LinkedIn connection.  With my gap I never would have gotten past an HR department given all the other candidates.

My DH took 6 months off with our move from the high COL to low COL area, and then did contract work for a few months before finding his current position.  His pay is lower, but with the lower COL area it seems to be more than where we were before.

- How long can you take off?  IMO with kids as the excuse 5-6 years is the max in a low decay field. I was worried I'd never be able to go back if I waited longer. It took about 6 months for me to feel up-to-speed again on the changes that occurred while I was out, even though I did continuing education in my field while I was off.

 I am now in the recruiting side for my firm. We've had plenty of people apply with 1 year gaps for travel/enrichment, and no one looks twice at it or questions the explanation very much.

Good luck! 

golden1

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2015, 11:56:37 AM »
I quit work for 8 years to have/raise children, and I was able to go back into the same field (chemistry/engineering/materials science).  I did it by getting a master's degree while being out of work.  It took me about 6 months of actively looking until I found a job.  I was honest when I was asked why I had the big gap in work history, and I got surprisingly few comments on it. 

couponvan

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2015, 12:24:30 PM »
As someone who hires, I would rather see no gaps. I want an employee who NEEDS to work - whether that be for financial or emotional reasons.  What's that quote "never hire a young man with no debts and a fishing license" or something like that? Of course, if I knew you or knew your work I likely wouldn't have this reaction, thus the need for continued networking :)

College is the one big unknown in terms of permanent expenses and why I didn't stay FIRE. I enjoy only working 3 days a week, or no days a week during the slower season if they need someone to take time off!  This year, DH is buying an additional vacation at his work with his raise. 

I will say my company has a hard time trying to think of incentives for me, as I don't "need" the money and enjoy the job.  My job is like my stress relief and sanity break from staying home!  I give my raise/bonus each year to others who need the money, or put the mandatory bonus into gifts for the staff in the office.  It feels like philanthropy as I get to pick and choose. The partner I work for just has to scratch his head....We are at a certain tax bracket with DH working. Extra money that I can't put into tax advantaged accounts is not worth that much.  I really work just enough hours to qualify for participation in the 401(k)/paid vacation/HSA. Every year we max out our 401(k)s/HSA.  We will be more than done saving for retirement by the time the kids (3) go to college. In 8 years when the youngest goes to college we'll know whether we can retire permanently as we'll know our "unknown" cost

If you do take a gap year, I'd recommend June-June so you can still take advantage of 401(k)s each year. The year I quit, I worked through April and front loaded my entire salary.  DH did the same.

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2015, 12:32:51 PM »
I quit work for 8 years to have/raise children, and I was able to go back into the same field (chemistry/engineering/materials science).  I did it by getting a master's degree while being out of work.  It took me about 6 months of actively looking until I found a job.  I was honest when I was asked why I had the big gap in work history, and I got surprisingly few comments on it.

I think, at least for women, that the reason being to have children is understood and well-accepted.  Not saying that the gap might not hurt, but the explanation itself won't hurt.

I don't know if the explanation of personal enrichment a la travel, study xyz, spend more time with kids, etc. is accepted.  It's my only choice unless I want to get creative and lie.  I think it is probably more accepted than before, but I also expect there might be some negative reaction ('ah, lucky you, wish we all could take a year off').

Education-wise, there is not much more I can do (i.e. already have it) unless I did want to switch fields, and I don't.  I am mid-40s.

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2015, 12:41:42 PM »
Yes, my wife and I both did this several years ago to spend time traveling. You can think about separating your re-entry into short term and long term consequences. In the short term, getting back in could be either extremely easy or pretty difficult. When we returned my wife immediately resumed working for the same company at a significantly higher salary than when we left. I, on the other hand, had a pretty difficult first year, initially landing in a poorly paid contract job. It took over a year for me to find something more meaningful. Oddly though, not once did anybody ask me about a "gap" in my resume. I suppose I could assume that some of the non-responses I received were related to the gap, but this never came up in an interview.

Longer-term, within two years of returning, we had both resumed jobs in our respective fields, and are actually earning considerably more than we were when we left. I didn't notice any skills degradation after a full year away from working. If anything, the added perspective I gained from the time off, and even the few skills I picked up during my lousy contract work are more of a long-term positive.

My advice, forget the work for now. Do what you  are trying to accomplish in your time away and go back to work when you are ready. Just don't be fooled into thinking that it will be easy to jump back in because it might not be.

Thanks for the feedback.  That's my goal.  I realize I may have to step down a notch or two to get back in, but I'll likely hesitate.  I figure I could get a role paying 60% of old pay very quickly (have to lie about previous pay or firms won't hire for fear of me leaving quickly), but if I can get 90%+ with an extra N months of searching, then....

sf56

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2015, 12:51:14 PM »
I quit my job as a web developer and took over six years off. It was pretty early in my career and didn't have any trouble finding work when I started again around 2008. I did need a bit of supplemental income during that time off so I did some really sporadic contract work over those six years. I think that ended up really helping me as I was able to pad my resume a bit and keep my skills a least somewhat up to date. I was still honest in the reasons I left the field (and why I was coming back), but having that admittedly small stream of work/experience throughout the years seemed to be enough to get my foot back in the door. I'm not sure how that same contract work concept might map to other fields but it worked for me.
  • It was easy for me to explain the reasons. I wouldn't want to work with anyone that didn't get it anyway.
  • I got a small pay raise, but that's not saying much for a six year gap.
  • Less than a month of lazy looking.
  • I have no idea on this one. Six years was like a lifetime for me so it really felt like a separate career, only the same field.

retired?

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2015, 12:52:07 PM »

As someone who hires, I would rather see no gaps. I want an employee who NEEDS to work - whether that be for financial or emotional reasons.  What's that quote "never hire a young man with no debts and a fishing license" or something like that? Of course, if I knew you or knew your work I likely wouldn't have this reaction, thus the need for continued networking :)

I understand and figure that is the most common sentiment.  So, friendly HR lady, how often does a gap cause a problem?  i.e. caused a person's CV to be overlooked or not hired.  Personally, I do wonder myself when I see it, but if I also see lengthy employment stints then I am less concerned. 

How long does a firm need me to be around for them to find it worth it to hire me?  Three years?  Five years?  Longer?  i.e. if they fear I may want to take another sabbatical.  I don't plan to since I think it is probably a once in a career move.  Thanks.

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2015, 01:07:25 PM »

As an aside, I think it would have taken much longer without using the LinkedIn connection.  With my gap I never would have gotten past an HR department given all the other candidates.

 I am now in the recruiting side for my firm. We've had plenty of people apply with 1 year gaps for travel/enrichment, and no one looks twice at it or questions the explanation very much.

Good luck!

Yah, I almost always try (historically and going forward) to learn the hiring manager's name and get my info directly to them.  No offense HR people, but those 'filters' can weed out some good people.

Glad to hear 'no one looks twice'.  What industry are you in?

couponvan

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2015, 01:27:27 PM »

As an aside, I think it would have taken much longer without using the LinkedIn connection.  With my gap I never would have gotten past an HR department given all the other candidates.

 I am now in the recruiting side for my firm. We've had plenty of people apply with 1 year gaps for travel/enrichment, and no one looks twice at it or questions the explanation very much.

Good luck!

Yah, I almost always try (historically and going forward) to learn the hiring manager's name and get my info directly to them.  No offense HR people, but those 'filters' can weed out some good people.

Glad to hear 'no one looks twice'.  What industry are you in?

Accounting - CPA

Spork

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2015, 01:29:14 PM »
I took off 3 years.  I needed a break... and there were family reasons.

 - easy/hard to explain decision to take time off to prospective employers?  Why did you?
It was easy.  Both my parents and wifey's parents were getting up in years.  We decided to relocate near them.  It was a good decision.  We got lots of time with my mom and her dad before they passed.

 - did you take a significant pay-cut?
I did.  About 40% initially and I worked up to something that was about 20% less than original.  (Not accounting for inflation here or that would look even worse.)  But... I went from a big city with high demand for me to a small town with zero demand.   There just weren't job postings to apply for.

 - how long did it take once you started looking?
I waited 6 months before I even started looking... so 2.5 years.

- opinion question.  At what point does time away become a real hindrance to re-entering?
I'm not sure I know a good answer there.

Lia-Aimee

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #13 on: January 21, 2015, 02:20:13 PM »
@retired?:

How often does a gap cause a problem? If you have one of the best applications in the pool, never - as long as you don't say that the reason for your gap is because you got addicted to Say Yes To The Dress and just stopped going to work. If I have 30 equally qualified candidates and the hiring manager only wants to interview 5, you're out.  Same with the guy who lives 6 hours away, and the gal who submitted a resume with a spelling mistake.  Obviously, this applies the most to junior positions, since a larger number of the applicants will be equally qualified.  Also, if the gap is assumed due to layoffs, it is expected that a petrophysical engineer or a SAP BI functional specialist will take longer to find meaningful employment than a cashier. 

How long do you have to work at a firm to be of value? That depends on a lot of things, primarily your industry's culture and your location's culture.  As a very general rule I would warn against having any tenure of less than a year unless you work in a very contract-centric industry.  Another common assumption (not just made by HR) is that if someone remains in the same role for over 4 years, they are unambitious. 

The perception of gaps also vary by the region (the lower the unemployment rate, the more noticeable a gap is) and the nature of your industry.  If the job requires ridiculously long hours or extended travel, a gap will be more frowned upon than a job that requires a caring nature and an open-minded worldview.

Good idea to get your resume into the hands of the hiring manager. I would recommend that you still apply through the irritating online tracking system, and then send another copy to the hiring manager with your cover letter directly copied into the body of the email. 

(for reference, my industry recruitment experience includes mining, oil & gas, insurance, and 3rd party staffing.)

retired?

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #14 on: January 21, 2015, 02:32:13 PM »
Thanks, Lia-Aimee.  I am in energy commodities.

No 4-year stints for me, but 7 years with last employer in 3 roles.

Your comment about layoffs brings up a point - how is the same resume viewed from a) someone laid off and out for a year vs. b) someone who left voluntarily and out for a year?

I've never been laid off.  If one is laid-off but not part of a major lay-off, it might be viewed as a firing.  Otherwise, being part of a major lay-off could be viewed more positively than taking time to enjoy oneself.  Alas, I am side-tracking my own topic.

Lia-Aimee

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #15 on: January 21, 2015, 05:22:07 PM »
A major layoff (or at least a layoff during a poor economy or industry crash) would look "better" than a one-off layoff, but for people who have a one-off layoff I recommend that they use a reference from that company.  A shining reference there will assuage any doubt. 

"Just taking time off" can confuse some employers.  I usually recommend that the sabbatical be added to the resume, with a one-line reasoning.  Some reasonings look "better" than others, such as caring for elderly relatives (because true or not it's often assumed that they've passed and now you're back to work) pursuing academic pursuits/a specialized hobby (especially if it could be work related by some stretch of the imagination,) travel, and relocation due to spouse's employment.  If you indicate or they believe that it was just a rest & relaxation time, at best it looks like you're lazy and at worst it looks like you spent it in a rehab facility.  Extended time-off for child-rearing is fine if it looks like you're nearing the end of it (my youngest just started grade 9) or in a female-dominated company/industry, but at times can be harmful in fast-paced male-dominated spaces (surprisingly, more so if you're male.) 

On the other hand, some professions and fields (non-profits, academia, creative) can view a sabbatical as a significant asset.

expatartist

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2015, 06:36:28 PM »
I don't know if the explanation of personal enrichment a la travel, study xyz, spend more time with kids, etc. is accepted.  It's my only choice unless I want to get creative and lie.  I think it is probably more accepted than before, but I also expect there might be some negative reaction ('ah, lucky you, wish we all could take a year off').

Education-wise, there is not much more I can do (i.e. already have it) unless I did want to switch fields, and I don't.  I am mid-40s.

It sounds like you have much to offer the world. Would you be interested in some sort of volunteering which would give you a different slant to your industry experience, in the US or elsewhere? Not sure of your living situation or background (you mentioned energy) but doubtless there's a very useful application for your skills.

You could:
* Pinpoint a (low-cost?) region where you'd like to be based for a year, i.e. SE Asia/Latin America
* Contact NGOs in that region with your skillset
* Arrange a project-based/flexible working schedule with then
* Jump off into an experience which would make you more marketable than ever
* Work part-time, and/or travel the region cheaply during extended breaks
* Help people, and hopefully not get too jaded by NGO excesses

This would really make you stand out in any pile of CVs, and show a commitment to your industry.

Edited to add: Keep us posted with your plans!
« Last Edit: January 21, 2015, 06:38:27 PM by expatartist »

goodlife

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2015, 06:49:51 PM »
I did this last year. I was kind of freaked out at first how difficult it might be for me to find something again (in the same field)...but it turned out I worried about nothing. I had so many job offers that I could take my pick at the end.

retired?

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2015, 07:46:03 PM »
I don't know if the explanation of personal enrichment a la travel, study xyz, spend more time with kids, etc. is accepted.  It's my only choice unless I want to get creative and lie.  I think it is probably more accepted than before, but I also expect there might be some negative reaction ('ah, lucky you, wish we all could take a year off').

Education-wise, there is not much more I can do (i.e. already have it) unless I did want to switch fields, and I don't.  I am mid-40s.

It sounds like you have much to offer the world. Would you be interested in some sort of volunteering which would give you a different slant to your industry experience, in the US or elsewhere? Not sure of your living situation or background (you mentioned energy) but doubtless there's a very useful application for your skills.

You could:
* Pinpoint a (low-cost?) region where you'd like to be based for a year, i.e. SE Asia/Latin America
* Contact NGOs in that region with your skillset
* Arrange a project-based/flexible working schedule with then
* Jump off into an experience which would make you more marketable than ever
* Work part-time, and/or travel the region cheaply during extended breaks
* Help people, and hopefully not get too jaded by NGO excesses

This would really make you stand out in any pile of CVs, and show a commitment to your industry.

Edited to add: Keep us posted with your plans!

I have kids (13 and 11) and a wife, so I cannot be quite as free as your recommendations would require.  I will probably start tutoring for free and $$ in the next month which will add a line item to the resume. 

retired?

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #19 on: January 21, 2015, 07:47:35 PM »
I did this last year. I was kind of freaked out at first how difficult it might be for me to find something again (in the same field)...but it turned out I worried about nothing. I had so many job offers that I could take my pick at the end.

Glad to hear it.  Do you mind sharing your industry and location?

Lia-Aimee

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2015, 10:49:47 AM »
Absolutely add tutoring on your resume, even if you only do it once a month and charge nothing.  Can be a good talking point.

ozzage

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2015, 01:37:58 PM »
We did it for a year to go travelling. In our mid- and late-30s, respectively (my wife and I).

My wife simply quit her job. They told her to get in touch when she was coming back, even though that wasn't really her plan. Just before our return she sent them an email (it seemed an easy option) and went to speak to them and they offered her a better position with higher pay if she came back! She was obviously well liked there but still that was unexpected.

I was working as an IT contractor, so I just didn't take any contracts for a year! Towards the back end of the trip I was Skyping (from Mongolia!) with a previous client who'd emailed me and I started a new contract with them 3 days after we returned... a bit too soon to be honest but after a year off it seemed a good idea to earn some money ASAP!

Once you get beyond a certain level it's your skills, experience and what value you can add that are more important than if you have gaps in your resume. At least that's my view. I'm not in the US so maybe that makes a difference? Personally if I was hiring and they had a gap that could be explained I wouldn't find it a problem.

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Re: Ever take a year-plus off from work and then re-enter the same field?
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2015, 04:13:28 PM »
The perception of gaps also vary by the region (the lower the unemployment rate, the more noticeable a gap is) and the nature of your industry.  If the job requires ridiculously long hours or extended travel, a gap will be more frowned upon than a job that requires a caring nature and an open-minded worldview.

It's a shame, really, as I would think the type of job that requires hellacious hours or travel would be the ones that would require a sabbatical just to stay sane!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!