Many times taking a long career break becomes a matter of concern for people. Generally, a break of more than six months is considered a long career break and it can be difficult to find a job after that, as most resumes are ignored in such cases. Long breaks are often considered career damaging and sometimes taking a break ends one’s professional journey.
However, a long career break should not be considered the end of one’s professional life. If someone has had to leave a job for a long time, their ‘CV’ should be taken equally seriously. It doesn’t matter how many years someone’s CV has been lying in the cupboard.
A commendable initiative by Airtel and L&T
Last year, a woman resumed working at Airtel after a 10-year career break. Airtel’s ‘Step-in’ initiative is for women who have taken a career break of at least 12 months and have relevant prior experience. The woman’s return to Airtel despite a 10-year absence from office proved that even a decade-long hiatus has not come in the way of her career aspirations.
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A similar initiative has been taken by Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T’s ‘Renew’ program focuses only on the merit of women candidates and not on their career break period. ‘Renew’ offers women who have taken a career break for any reason to re-enter the corporate world.
A career break should not be a hindrance, it should be an opportunity.
However, most organizations are reluctant to hire people with long career breaks. They believe that after a long break one’s thinking ability and skills diminish or become old, but this assumption is not always true. A break can enrich us in many ways. People may have left their jobs for some time, but in the meantime they may have gained some form of experience.
There should be equal opportunities for men too
Another important thing is that the programs of these companies are only for women. Men should not be neglected in this matter. It is true that women have a higher percentage of leaving their careers, mainly because they have many other responsibilities, including taking care of children, but men also have situations in their lives when they need to take a break.
Challenges and Perceptions of Career Break in India
Some studies have found that there is no harm in stopping a career for a while. Often it provides an opportunity for personal growth, learning new skills and pursuing one’s passion, but in India, taking a career break is not considered as safe as in other countries, as here we have to pay companies a lot to hire. Have to beg again. Apart from this, one has to face a reduction in salary after a career break.
