Making the Most of a Career Break

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Learn how to thrive away from the world of work.

At some point in our lives, many of us will take time out from our jobs, either by choice or by chance.

There are numerous reasons why we might find ourselves absent from the workplace for weeks or even months. Examples include illness, accidents, having a baby, taking a sabbatical, caring for relatives, unemployment, and military service.

But extended time away from work can cause us anxiety. We may fear losing the skills, knowledge and relationships that we've carefully built up. Or, we may worry about how a gap on our résumé might appear to potential employers.

But a long-term absence also presents opportunities. You can use the time to develop your skills and knowledge, and to gain new experiences. And you can still keep your finger firmly "on the pulse" of the world of work, in anticipation of your eventual return.

In this article, we'll look at how you can make productive use of a career break.

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