Outline:
When Renee* chose to leave her position from her jobAt the age of 40, she planned a brief hiatus to refresh herself and create room to strategize her future steps. She could never have foreseen what the actual outcome would be—and now experiences remorse for making such an impulsive choice.
Renee left her HR position at an international technology firm in 2023. She had been with the company for four years and enjoyed her time there, but after the company was bought out, the atmosphere became unbearable. She claims she was targeted by her new supervisors for earning a higher salary than they thought she should have, even though she had more experience than several of her new coworkers.
Colleagues would speak negatively about the former company in front of Renee, criticizing past performance and procedures, causing her to feel devalued and not welcomed. She grew desperate to leave, and daydreamed about securing a new job and having time to focus on her passion for design.
She chose to leave without having a new job lined up: “I wanted to take some time to reset, recover, and plan my next step,” she said. “I now believe I was somewhat unrealistic in expecting to find a new position quickly.”
Not having a job was actually more stressful
A two-month break from work extended to seven. Renee was surprised by the difficulty in securing a job—she submitted 200 applications with minimal responses. She experienced anxiety and depression, and regretted her hasty choice to leave her job.
Her husband had a full-time jobHowever, not earning her own income had an effect, particularly on her self-esteem.
“Being unemployed was actually more stressful, as I was wondering if I could have stayed with it, and I felt guilty,” Renee, who is based in London, remembers.
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The emotion of not being logged in somewhere at nine o’clock, finishing the task and feeling essential, was disheartening. It was winter, and it was chilly, dark, and I was isolated in the house, so it really impacted me. I utilized whatever energy I could find to keep moving forward, but deep down, I was completely shattered.
Although career breaks can be therapeutic, as Renee experienced, they can also be a drawback. In the latestreportAccording to Career Returners, a program designed for individuals returning to their careers, 94 percent of those resuming work after a career break face difficulties in securing a new position, while 89 percent mention a detrimental effect on their self-esteem.
There’s simply a lot of rivalry
Career advisor Laurie Macpherson suggests that individuals avoid taking a break from their careers at this time, considering the present condition of the job market.
Available vacancies are down 12one percent from the previous year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics, and the latest from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development’sLabour Market Outlookstates that a smaller number of employers are actually hiring. Seventeen percent also anticipate using AI to cut down their workforce in the next 12 months.
Macpherson’s sole concern is whether you can afford to take at least three to six months away from work, or if your mental well-being is severely deteriorating. She mentions a client who recently applied for a CEO position and discovered she was one of 437 candidates.
“there is a lot of competition, and returning could be quite challenging and stressful,” mentions Macpherson, who also provides guidance on enhancing LinkedIn profiles.
I completely grasp the necessity of taking a break, and several of my clients have experienced career gaps due to caregiving duties. The challenge arises when they attempt to re-enter the job market, as they face competition from individuals who have never taken time off,the current jobThe market has never been this challenging since the pandemic.
The main challenge, Macpherson notes, is the gap in CVs, as companies tend to prefer applicants who have the latest skills and experience, particularly in sectors where technology and AI have led to rapid changes.
Employers are concerned that individuals who have not been employed in the industry may lack current experience, abilities, and understanding. Recruiters, in particular, are cautious about career gaps since they represent a risk that the employer will need to invest in training and developing employees, which incurs expenses. Instead, they prefer to hire someone who can demonstrate they already possess the necessary skills and experience.
Remaining in place can be a wise decision
Alternatively, Macpherson suggests not to give up – but to develop a strategy.
“Initially, look for positions you are interested in transitioning into and determine what you currently possess, as well as what you need to acquire in order to have a realistic opportunity for these roles,” she suggests.
Next, consider ways to address the missing areas. Are you able to participate in any training programs? Would it be possible to request a promotion, transfer, or an opportunity to observe and learn from others? Who can you reach out to that is currently working in or has previously worked in your role, and arrange a discussion?
Don’t view this as being stuck – consider it as a time to get ready, and you’ll have a much higher chance of achieving success.
Engaging in volunteer work, or joining a committee or board, can also be beneficial, along with regularly using LinkedIn to track who is changing positions and who is recruiting, while also subscribing to at least one industry magazine. According to Macpherson, taking courses does not always lead to immediate outcomes.
Courses by themselves are typically not sufficient -employersCurrently, individuals can obtain and seek out people with experience. However, a useful guideline is to identify three to five positions that interest you, examine the specific requirements outlined in the job descriptions, and enroll in relevant courses, instead of taking a course and hoping it will be beneficial,” she states.
With determination and building connections, Renee eventually landed a new position at an international software company in June. She has recently received a promotion and salary increase, and she is doing well within a varied and encouraging team. However, the recollections of that difficult and discouraging time remain challenging to forget.
She now wishes to convey some difficult home truths to others who are thinking about leaving a stable, secure job for the unknown, and ultimately, to “think 100 times” before taking the plunge.
No matter how difficult circumstances may be, according to her experience, the present job market is more challenging.
“Many individuals advise to follow your passion and your heart. However, in the current economic environment, it’s challenging. Respect to those who manage to do so. Perhaps I didn’t promote myself effectively, but it wasn’t suitable for me, which left me feeling quite distressed,” says Renee.
There are numerous job cuts occurring, and many businesses are currently not recruiting. If you can stay in your current position until you secure another job, or until your additional income source starts generating revenue, I strongly recommend doing so.
If it’s truly affecting you, I would only proceed with the next step if you have strong financial support. I came to understand the importance of money, as regardless of how much you attempt to do other things, in the end, you need money to cover your expenses.
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