Thinking About Taking a Career Break? 4 Things to Do Before You Decide

Deciding to take a career break is a HUGE decision and one that isn't openly talked about.

And that lack of conversation can make it feel like you have to figure everything out on your own.

Like everyone else somehow knows what they’re doing and you’re the only one second-guessing every step.

You’re not.

Before I stepped away from my own career, there were a few things I wish I'd known and done ahead of time.

And today I'm going to share them with you.

1. Know Your Why (Go Below The Surface)

On the surface, the reasons for taking a career break may look the same.

“I’m staying home with my kids.”

“I’m stepping away to focus on family.”

But when you dig deeper, the reasons behind that decision can be very different.

For me, staying home wasn’t something I had always dreamed of doing.

In fact, I never really saw myself taking a career break at all. But given the circumstances we were in at the time, financially it made sense.

That’s very different from someone who has always wanted to be a stay-at-home parent.

From the outside, those choices might look identical. Internally, they’re not.

Take time to identify your specific reasons and then write them down.

If you do take a career break, there will be moments when you question yourself and think, “Why did I do this again?”

Having your reasons written down gives you something solid to come back to.

A reminder that this decision was intentional and thought through.

2. Find People Who Get It

When you’re facing a life change this big, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one trying to figure it out.

But you're not.

Millions of people have taken career breaks before you, and millions will take them after you.

Seek out people who are currently on a career break or who have already taken one. When you talk to them, you can ask questions, hear their experiences, and gain insights you didn’t even realize you needed.

Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from another pro/con list, rather it comes from hearing someone say, “I felt that too.”

3. Update Your Resume Before You Step Away

This one often catches people off guard.

You might be thinking, “I haven’t even decided yet. Why would I update my resume now?”

Here’s the thing: there’s no downside.

If you update your resume and decide not to take a career break, you now have an updated resume.

Woo-hoo!

And if you decide to take a career break you're making it easier on yourself when you do return.

It's a lot easier to update your resume while you’re still working than months or years later when details are harder to remember.

To help you update your resume, forward to your personal email:

• Performance reviews

• Emails related to projects you worked on

• Awards or recognitions

• Any major accomplishments

  
  

Your future self will thank you!

4. Run the Numbers

It’s one thing to say, “I think we can make this work.”

It’s another thing to actually see the numbers.

Running the numbers gives you a clear picture of what your financial landscape might look like in the coming months or even years. It also allows you to identify areas where you might scale back or make adjustments before you’re in the thick of your career break.

And trust me these conversations are much easier to have proactively than reactively (ask me how I know🤣)!

What Comes Next

Taking a career break is a very personal decision and one that looks different for each of us.

While these four insights won’t give you a perfect answer, they will help you move forward with more confidence and less second-guessing.

And if you’re thinking, Okay, I’m ready. What should I focus on once the career break actually begins? I've got you covered in my next post!