On Career Breaks and Going Back to Work - YouLookFab Forum

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On Career Breaks and Going Back to Work

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

This should be my last post in OT section - in October at least

I've mentioned in my other thread that a few things were fighting for my time and energy lately, hence the lack of participation here. It's odd though - staying away from YLF while I know it's one sure way to unwind... Anyway, time to share the no.2 on the list - and I'll stop here, the others have been somewhat tamed in the meantime. I am now back on the job marked and actively search for the suitable position. Going back to work was the next big thing after we move and relatively settle in the new house, but things have happened much faster than I could have predicted. Which is good, it had spurred me into action much faster than was the initial tempo I've been progressing at since September. A friend had notified me about an interesting position in his former team and I've submitted my application for it last night.

Making this first step after over 2 years feels huge and I am very relieved I got the ball rolling. Unless fluency in local language presents a big barrier and is absolutely mandatory (English is official language at the company in question), I hope for the interview at least.

I've been lucky enough to be able to wait until the time is right of me to go back to work and I am very, very grateful for that. I am also excited about the idea of working again. My only other break before was when I was on maternity leave, after which I was back to the position, team and project that was waiting for me. Right now (or, when things happen) everything will be as new as it can be - and I'm ready for it.

Oh, and I'll hopefully need some new wardrobe too

Have you had career breaks? How did you feel going back?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

anne

Veteran

I went back twice. Once like you after having a baby (part time, when DD1 was 8 months) Then again, after dd2 (that lasted a mere 6 weeks!) and most recently nearly 2 years ago after 51/2 years. In a way the first time was hardest and my success in doing it was a helpful reminder the next times that even if I thought I couldn't remember anything or be a useful employee that actually I could!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ornella -- congratulations! And I hope you get an interview and learn quickly whether this place may be a good fit for you! It sounds as if the timing is right, even if a bit earlier than you expected.

My whole working life has been a series of starts, stops, shifts, moves. Plus a lot of contracts!

So for me, it has rarely been a "going back" but a "moving toward" (something new).

I did have at least one "return." I took a leave and moved across country while I pursued a graduate degree. Three years later I went back to my old job.

It felt good in some ways, and not good in others. I loved my colleagues at the university and I liked the students. But I was tired of the role, needed new challenges, and found the bureaucracy tiresome. So I lasted for one year before leaving for good.

My working environments have all been such that I've never really needed work specific, and certainly not "corporate" clothes. Smart casual does it, whatever I am doing. So wardrobe changes have been due to body changes, style shifts, and increased travel/ appearances more than anything else.

jackiec

Veteran

Best of luck to you, Ornella. It sounds very exciting for you.

I have been on a "break" for coming on to 14 years now....so no advice to offer in terms of career wear. My at home "career" keeps me casual and I'm really happy in that.

Look forward to hearing how it works out for you. All the best

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Very exciting Ornella! I really haven't taken a break from work, but I did once take a long break from a corporate job when I ran a small business, then went back to corporate for a few years (now I'm back to small business) - and that time of going back to corporate was challenging at first. I was so used to being on my own time, spending time alone (not doing "lunch" with co-workers, not chatting all that much during work, etc.), and not having to dress for a building of critical eyes.

I imagine that to me now, at a more adult age I'd be mostly concerned about what exactly I'd be doing on a day to day basis, then of course my work colleagues, location, work environment, schedule required and basics like that.

The wardrobe part should be pretty easy for you as you always look great in your posts!

Isabel

Veteran

YAY !!!! I am soooo happy that things are moving in a positive direction ( mostly , I cannot wait for your wardrobe posts ).

I have been on "break" for 12 years, LOL and I am scared to death of ever having to work outside the home again. But I would love to have a job in a couple of years. My life right now wouldn't allow for it and I am soooo lucky to not have to go looking for one.

Good Luck !!!!!

bj1111

Veteran

how exciting! i'm sure the break was very welcome and the prospect of returning to work equally welcome. good luck with the reentree. the closest i come are periodic sabbaticals.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good luck. I'm sure you will make a great first impression. xo

Anonymous

I have taken several breaks: out and out no job at all and jobs within my existing company at very reduced pay and position level. It happened mainly because we transferred around the country with hubs job. I never quit the company outright; the HR dept put me on 'relocation leaves' to preserve my original start date (and vacation, seniority etc)

I always felt great going back because I thought at the very least I would learn something new.....you will be great, it's all in the attitude.

One thing I will say, when I was 'under' employed, I had to remind myself that my self worth was not my job and find some hobbies that I could not enjoy when my work responsibilities were increased.

anne

Veteran

I wanted to say that I said I had 2 breaks and then listed three! There were really three but the second was so small I hardly count it.

Have you heard yet Ornella?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

No anne. Thanks for asking

I assume it will take a few days at least, which works in my favour actually as I have busy week ahead.

ramya

Veteran

Well I was on break for half a year when I moved to Norway. But then I was desperate to get back

What really was different was learning new programming language and the working style. It was a little overwhelming in the sense that there wasn't a strict hierarchy in office . Then there was the obvious culture difference. Guess the guys at work too had a major adjustment with sharing workspace with a girl

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I've just had an interview -- the first time in perhaps 5 years of job searching that I have even made the short list! So it's encouraging but at the same time I'm kind of secretly hoping that I don't get it, because I am a bit terrified of going back to work.

I've been a stay-at-home student and sort-of housewife for so long that the prospect of doing things on a schedule and not being able to decide to do things on a whim seems very alien. But on the other hand I'm sick of not having any income. My PhD has led me into a bit of a dead end, so the prospect of moving into a different field that actually has some chance of progression is also very appealing. And then there are all the other incidental benefits of actually having a reason to leave the house every day.

I'll miss afternoon naps, though.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I had a *break* with the global economic downturn. The downturn has changed a lot of things. It's a new era. *Interesting times,* as they say. I'm not sure how I feel about it all, although I really do like working.

On a more basic level... routine shifts can be a little bit of a... weird-out, if you know what I mean.

Dimity

I'm currently a graduate student and although I didn't love my last job, I appreciated the structure of getting dressed and going to work as a regular routine. I mostly have always worked but found that going back to work after a six month break, none of the clothes I owned seemed to work any more. Part of it was that I had changed and part of it was the new job.

Rachylou, I know what you mean by routine shifts being a weird-out. Even though I enjoy what I'm doing and am excited by it, it's been a big change and I'm still adjusting to my new status.

Anonymous

Not sure how I missed this post when you first wrote it, but I just wanted to wish you good luck... or possibly you are already fixed up with a new job by now? Should prove fun to plan clothes for too!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Diane. I have not heard back yet, as the team leader was on sick leave (insider information). If this does not work out, and I give myself 50/50 chances for various reasons unrelated to my qualifications as I believe I'm a great match, I'd expect my future job search to be longish. Family-friendly hours in reasonably un/remote location is a yet another tall order. The main thing for me is that I have finally shifted to the job-hunting phase.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes, I did have a career break that went on for ten years. It was far too long. It's my one regret -- that I didn't plan things a little better ahead of time so that I could have cut back rather than dropped out of the workforce. I love my children and I love being a mother, but I had a lot of trouble with stay-at-home motherhood, at least the way it worked in our family. (My husband's career went into third gear shortly before our first was born, and he was rarely home).

Anyway, good luck with your interview! It's a very good idea to get the ball rolling with this -- the longer you're out, the harder it is to get back in. Women pay all kinds of career penalties for having children. I think it's a trade a lot of us are willing to make, but it's not without problems. If a marriage fails (which they do, and still at a rate of 50%), it's usually the woman without a career who's up a creek without a paddle.