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How
to Take Time off Work
Thinking of taking some
time off? You're
not alone. Even the most career-driven is likely to take a break
from their job.
Plenty have benefited from the
break, too, either by changing directions slightly or pursuing
completely different, more satisfying professions. The question,
then, is not whether to take time off, but how to do it
without damaging your career. Here are some pointers:
- Stay in touch with former
colleagues. Don't let your world shrink to such a degree
that you exclude work — and your old colleagues —
completely. Drop by your former office for lunch. Call to see
what your ex-colleagues are up to. Ask them what they're
reading and which conferences they're attending, and do your
best to mirror their activities so you stay in the loop. Even
though keeping up these contacts can be tough, especially if
you have a new family to worry about, the effort will be worth
it. Not only will you stay current in your field, you'll stay
on colleagues' minds. When you're ready to return, they'll
undoubtedly tell you about job openings.
- Find a mentor. These
days, technology is changing so rapidly that even people in
the thick of things sometimes struggle to keep up with the
latest trends. So before you leave your job, ask a supervisor
or someone else you trust and respect to help you stay plugged
in on technological advances. You might say, "I plan to
come back, and so I want to stay up-to-date." Then ask if
you could e-mail or call her on occasion to pick her brain
about how to keep your skills current.
- Fill in for vacationing
colleagues. Look into whether you might be able to sub for
workers who go on vacation or take short leaves of absence.
This will help you to brush up your skills and keep your
"career edge." Just don't agree to work more days
than you're prepared for. After all, you left the job for a
reason.
- Expand your horizons. Many
people take time off not only because they want to spend more
time with their families, but also because they're frustrated.
If you fall into the latter category, use your hiatus to
discover what you'd really like to be doing. If you've
spent your career as an administrative assistant in a law firm
but think you would rather be working for an arts
organization, consider volunteering for one; even the most
prestigious organizations tend to welcome free help. And try
enrolling in adult education courses to broaden your skills
and knowledge.
- Savor your time away from
work. Most important, don't worry about what you may be
missing at the office. Instead, do all you can to enjoy your
time at home. That way, when you decide to return to the
9-to-5 routine, you'll be energized and ready to jump-start
your career — or even find a new one.
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