A career pause—whether voluntary or unexpected—can feel daunting, but it’s also a chance to reset, reflect, and reposition for future success. Forbes explores how to strategically leverage a break from work to boost your professional and personal growth.
Reframe the Pause
Rather than viewing a career break as a setback, see it as an opportunity. Data from a 2024 LinkedIn survey shows 62% of professionals have taken a pause, due to layoffs, caregiving, health, or personal pursuits, and many return stronger. A well-planned break can sharpen skills, clarify goals, and enhance resilience, setting you apart in a competitive job market.
Rather than viewing a career break as a setback, see it as an opportunity. Data from a 2024 LinkedIn survey shows 62% of professionals have taken a pause, due to layoffs, caregiving, health, or personal pursuits, and many return stronger. A well-planned break can sharpen skills, clarify goals, and enhance resilience, setting you apart in a competitive job market.
Steps to Maximize Your Break
- Assess and Reflect: Take stock of your career. What worked? What didn’t? Journaling or working with a career coach can help define your values and next steps. A 2023 Manpower study found 55% of people on a break used it to pivot to roles better aligned with their passions.
- Upskill Strategically: Use the time to build in-demand skills. Online platforms like Coursera or Udemy offer courses in AI, project management, or leadership. Certifications earned during a pause signal initiative—70% of hiring managers view them positively, per a 2024 SHRM report.
- Network Actively: Stay connected. Attend virtual industry events, join webinars, or engage on LinkedIn. Share updates about your learning or volunteer work. A 2025 Recruiter Nation survey notes 65% of job offers stem from networking, even for those on a break.
- Explore Side Projects: Volunteer, freelance, or start a passion project. These keep your skills sharp and add resume value. For example, a marketing professional who blogged during a 2024 hiatus landed a role after a recruiter spotted their content online.
- Prioritize Wellbeing: Burnout often prompts a pause. Use this time for self-care—exercise, mindfulness, or therapy. A 2023 APA study links improved mental health to a 20% boost in job performance post-break.
Navigating the Return
When re-entering the workforce, own your story. Craft a narrative that highlights growth during your pause. On your resume, list skills gained or projects completed, framing the break as a deliberate investment. In interviews, focus on how the experience equips you to add value. Employers increasingly value adaptability—80% of 2025 hiring managers see career pauses as “less of a red flag,” per Randstad.
When re-entering the workforce, own your story. Craft a narrative that highlights growth during your pause. On your resume, list skills gained or projects completed, framing the break as a deliberate investment. In interviews, focus on how the experience equips you to add value. Employers increasingly value adaptability—80% of 2025 hiring managers see career pauses as “less of a red flag,” per Randstad.
Challenges to Consider
Gaps can still raise eyebrows, especially in rigid industries. Financial strain may also pressure a quick return. Plan ahead: save a runway of 6-12 months’ expenses if possible, and research fields open to non-linear paths, like tech or nonprofits.
Gaps can still raise eyebrows, especially in rigid industries. Financial strain may also pressure a quick return. Plan ahead: save a runway of 6-12 months’ expenses if possible, and research fields open to non-linear paths, like tech or nonprofits.
The Payoff
A strategic pause can be a launchpad. Take Sarah Lin, who left finance in 2023 to care for family, learned data analysis during her break, and landed a higher-paying role in 2025. X users echo this, sharing how breaks led to clearer goals and better jobs. By reframing and planning your pause, you can turn downtime into a catalyst for a stronger career.
A strategic pause can be a launchpad. Take Sarah Lin, who left finance in 2023 to care for family, learned data analysis during her break, and landed a higher-paying role in 2025. X users echo this, sharing how breaks led to clearer goals and better jobs. By reframing and planning your pause, you can turn downtime into a catalyst for a stronger career.