How an Employment Gap Could Make You Stand Out in the Job Market
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to work all the time. Many professionals take breaks from work to re-centre and recharge or pursue personal goals such as spending time with their family or learning something new. Taking a sabbatical from work doesn’t mean the end of your career. Being in between jobs can be just as beneficial for career growth.
Singaporeans Aren’t Taking Enough Breaks
According to Dr Tan Ern Ser, Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singaporeans don’t prioritise taking breaks. A Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) study found that over half of Singaporeans want to take a break, yet most feel guilty about doing so. They consider rest time an indulgence, with most respondents revealing that “doing nothing” stresses them out.
Dr Tan says that Singaporeans feel a constant need to stay on the grind to feel more productive and be more appreciated at the workplace. Indeed, taking a break can feel like wasting time in a culture that puts more value on hard work than enjoying family time and me-time.
Downtime Is Necessary
In the recent Work Trend Index Report of Microsoft Teams, Singapore came out on top for most burnt-out workers. It's not a stretch to connect it with the competitive work culture. After all, Singapore is the second most overworked city in the world, with people working 23 per cent more than the mandated number of hours.
In a highly competitive environment, workers feel pressure to be “on the pedal,” leading to chronic stress. If not managed, this anxiety results in professional fatigue and lethargy.
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as an “occupational phenomenon” bearing the following symptoms:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance
- Feelings of negativism or cynicism from one’s job
- Reduced professional efficacy
Dr Tan says that taking breaks can prevent burnout: “It can enable you to recharge and eventually tackle the difficult situation from a position of rest and strength.”
If you feel uneasy about taking a break, understand that sustained mental focus without breaks is depleting, leading to inferior performance and decision-making. Thus, being afraid to go on leave because you want to work harder is counterproductive. Conversely, when you allow your brain downtime, you give yourself allowance to make new or even stronger mental. According to studies cited by the Scientific American, various kinds of rest for the brain replenish mental reserves, increasing alertness and efficiency.
Think of the respite as a vitamin your brain needs to function properly. It’s the best solution to prevent and cure burnout.
So if the fear of missing opportunities is preventing you from taking a break, think about the terrific benefits your mental and physical capacity can gain.
Reasons Professionals Take Breaks From Work
Many professionals take time off after leaving a job or starting a new one, especially when their last role was particularly demanding or exhausting. A break allows you to re-centre and re-establish your personal goals and dreams. In other words, you think about what matters to you and what you are working for.
Some professionals take the time to go on the dream vacation they never got to take while others learn a new hobby, ramp up their educational credentials, or explore new interests, such as opening a small business.
Raising a family is also a common reason for sabbaticals. A professional respite will allow you to devote your time and energy to your loved ones without the distraction of deadlines and deliverables.
On a more sombre note, others require a break for medical reasons.
Any of these motivations are valid for taking time off, but you might be concerned about leaving a gap in your resume. Instead, reframe your thinking and don't consider it idle or unproductive time.
These days, companies recognise the need for employees to step away from work environments for mental health and other reasons. Yes, personal time is no longer as taboo as it once was.
Put a Positive Spin on It
The purpose of a resume is to list the skills and experiences you have that are relevant to the job. Instead of treating your break as missing time, explain what you have learned in that period or how you developed new skills.
According to HR Digest, you can inject a positive spin on your gap period. For example, you describe a work sabbatical as preparation for a new chapter in your life. A new job role usually means an altered schedule, commute, and work environment. It makes sense to refresh and recharge before taking on all the changes. You can also say that you took the time to explore what you want to do, making you more confident in your career path and abilities.
Be transparent during the interview. What matters is not that you took a break but what you will bring to the company – renewed energy, pumped-up motivation, or new skills. Think of your "absence" as preparation to work with even greater focus and motivation.
Level Up Your Skills
Employers have shifted to skills-based hiring due to the fast pace of innovation. It entails hiring for what the candidate can do rather than their university or previous company. To keep up with the demands of the time, some professionals have taken sabbaticals to develop their capabilities.
Upskilling (learning new skills to stay relevant in your current job role) or reskilling (learning new skills to take on a new role) helps you cope with the speed of your industry's evolution. Learning new skills can secure your place in the workplace and increase your motivation to work.
If you find yourself in an employment gap, turn it into a period of professional development by taking a couple of classes or signing up for an online workshop to expand your skill set. You can check out digital skills such as data analytics, programming, or digital marketing. You are never too old to learn.
Appreciate Your Soft Skills
While upskilling and reskilling are valuable in the workplace, employers also recognise the importance of soft or transferrable skills. Candidates with communication, leadership, and negotiation traits have an advantage in the hiring process.
Identify the soft skills you acquired during the break. If you took time off to raise a family, you may have developed organisation and project management skills or creative problem-solving, for example. Travelling may have given you better communication skills and adaptability.
Acquiring soft skills means personal development and proves you didn't waste your time while technically unemployed.
How to Negotiate for Time Off Before Starting a New Job (And Why You Should)
Sometimes, the situation isn't about coming off from a break. You may want to take one before starting another job. It's possible if you play your cards right.
Naturally, employers will say they want you to start ASAP when they offer you a job. But, as we said, HR professionals also understand the benefits of allowing new hires to rejuvenate before starting work. So, if you feel you need to rest after an exhaustive stay at your previous job, don't be afraid to ask for it.
Determine your start date.
Once the job offer has been made official, determine when you want to start. Employers will usually ask for your availability and if you have any vacations planned. Be honest about wanting to take time off. If the extra time is an issue, the company will let you know.
Make sure your start date includes the notice period for your current company as well as the amount of free time you want to take before you start. One week is standard to get your affairs in order, but if you have other plans, figure those in when you calculate your start date. Employers appreciate a fixed date rather than a vague estimate. They are usually willing to wait if they believe you are the right candidate.
Don’t renege on your agreement.
Don’t commit to a date and then say you cannot start work then. Whatever the reason may be, it is poor form to renege on your agreement, especially when the employer was considerate enough to allow you a grace period.
Be flexible.
Certain conditions may make it hard to get extra time off. For example, if the company has identified urgent projects they want you to handle or they hired you to solve a critical issue. In this case, you must be sensitive to the company's needs and why they hired you. As a compromise, try asking for your much-needed break after dealing with the crisis.
It may sound counterintuitive to take a break to further your career, but trust the experts when they say that taking a break may be beneficial in the long run. Stepping away from the rat race helps you #SEEKBetter for your physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as making you more prepared for future professional challenges.
Ready to learn what opportunities are available to you? #SEEKBetter by logging on to JobStreet today. If you haven’t signed up yet, download the app on Google Play or App Store.
