On Taking a Break between Jobs

This is not an article that tells you to quit your job. What it is though, is a wistful ode to the things I wish I knew before quitting my job, changing industries, and effectively, feeling like I was starting over.

In my early twenties, I could not afford to take a break between roles. I was hungry for the next thing, and did not have enough in the bank to float for a couple months without real worry. When I got the opportunity to take some time off between roles, besides the obvious anxiety that comes with the unfamiliar; I knew I had to jump.

Two years ago, I decided to save up enough to take off a couple months between jobs. I was already burnt out and I knew it - and it showed in numerous areas of my life. I stopped calling my family, cutting visits short or worse, going to see them and being on my phone the whole time. I stopped scheduling dance classes - a serious passion of mine. I went months without yoga, even though I knew mentally it made me a more refreshed version of mylse.f I stopped doing yoga - and the stress sat on my body. All I did was work, think about work. sleep for five hours, and then start the whole cycle all over again.

I wasn’t a very present person, and now when I look back on how rude I was, I feel so sorry for the people who loved me - and got the preoccupied, snappy version of me. The better I did at my job, the more I disliked who I ended up becoming. I doubled my salary in 16 months - learning how to negotiate, build business cases about what I was contributing, and I was constantly competing with myself to do a good job. It was confusing why I just wasn't happy when I thought everything I ever wanted was in my hands. Not all of this was the job. In fact, most of it was me and how I approached my work. I was not fully in control of my schedule - which made everything even worse.

Last year, in June, I decided I no longer wanted to stay at my job and I was close to my savings goal - and I made the plan to leave; knowing there would not be another job at the end of that date. My opportunities were getting more and more limited - and I really didn’t care about the field of law. But I did love the people I worked with, and I did enjoy going to work everyday, for the most part.

The reflections/ suggestions below are reflective of my experience the last couple months as I took time between roles to find what I want. I hope they help you too if you are searching for something new.

1. Save more than you need. I had only six months saved before quitting and doing something pretty out of character for me - which is leaping without looking where I was going to land. Most people who know me know I never operate without a plan. I am very privileged to be in the position of taking time off between roles and if you don’t have that option to have a cushion to bounce on between roles - wait till you do. If I could chat to the version of myself a year ago, I would try to be even more disciplined on the way I was saving. There will be a time. It is better to have jumped than never jump at all, so make sure that you never wait till it is perfect. Especially when you only have to really worry about yourself - the moment you have dependents, the game changes completely.

2. It will take longer than you expect to get a job. Or the right job. Sometimes it’s okay to take a bridge job in the meantime to cover basic expenses since you know you need some income coming in. I declined a couple different interviews with companies I knew I wasn’t passionate about because I wanted to use my time efficiently when I was searching for the right role. As I sit here writing this article, I did do just that.

3. Make an effort with your network - it will be a couple months before you get people who know what you want as the next step but be brave in asking for informational interviews. I knew I wanted to be outside of the legal industry in every capacity - and my mission was to learn about as many industries as possible where my skills were transferable but in a space that really excited me. Some of the biggest champions for me were the people who had a glimpse into my work ethic and persona, with some heavy hitter connections. I do not believe in networking to simply do the networking - but doing what you love means it will definitely come.

4. Job searching is a full time job. Thank your champions, and know that it is an emotional roller coaster. A stable job is a lovely tether and getting outside of that often is a romanticized experience. There will be days you doubted why you left, and you wish you just waited a couple more months before leaping. It can also be a very lonely and isolating place, you will be extremely cognizant of how so much discussion revolves around your job and your career. Drown out the noise. Your career isn’t who you are. It’s just what you do. Start asking people what really excites them instead. I may have a really cool job on paper now, but I will definitely not lead with that for any new introduction I make.

5. Fully recharge. Treat your job search like your full time job but also take the time to do the things you always wanted to do. Cook more. Journal more. Meditate and take baths. Do whatever it takes to replenish all the parts of you that are burned out. Mind, body and soul. I promise it will make you a better person to be around, and it will only make you better at being a rockstar when you do finally go back to work.

This is essential to your mental health as there will be plenty of days you will wonder when the next job is coming.

6. Have a support network where you can really vent. It’s not all glamour and especially not everyday. A journal really helps.

7. Pay it forward when you have a job and are back on track financially. Have a logical plan on how you’ll pay back your debts if you went into debt while you were job searching and tackle with a snowball (Google this method). Be there for people who you know are having a tough time finding the right fit.

8. Stay positive. This might seem like a trite It’s trite but true. I had to consciously decide today was worth it some days and some days I just had to have a mood and be sad - but it is all coming.

9. Ignore people who try to give you advice on what they would do. Lots of people will advise you not to take a break because they view life in their lens, and you need to make a call for you. People can be your support, but do not look to them to make a decision for you. Only you know your full financial picture. Only you know what you want to accomplish and when. Do not pause what you want based on other people's fear. Ignore the haters.

10. Know how to be there for others when they will inevitably go through the same thing. Transition and change are very normal - but it is also completely normal to feel unsettled about it all.

Here are things you should not say to someone while they are looking for the next fit:

"Oh, why did you quit without a job?"

"Must be nice to have the privilege to do that!"

"You must have so much time now."

Hope this is helpful if you are deciding on making a change.

What worked for you if you ever took a break between jobs?

Drop me a line.

Reth