How to Take a Year off Without Ruining Your Career

If you are feeling burned out at your present job or if you just feel like you'd like a new experience, you might consider taking a year off from your job. With the proper planning and a boss who's receptive to the idea, you can manage to take the sabbatical and not ruin your career.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin the planning process for the sabbatical well in advance. It's best to make the initial steps toward a sabbatical at least one year in advance.

2. Do some financial planning. Consider if you are willing to sell your car and house in order to provide income for a year. Determine if you have other assets that you might liquidate in order to finance your sabbatical. Set a budget and live by it.

3. Make sure your spouse or life partner is in agreement with your decision. Determine what effects a year off may have on your relationship as well as on your children if it involves taking them out of school or moving them from their home.

4. Earn high ratings on your job evaluations, especially if you want to return to your job after your sabbatical. While most employers can't guarantee they can keep your job open for a year, if you are a valuable employee, most employers do make an effort to find you something comparable within the company.

5. Collaborate with your employer on the possibility of working from home at least part time during that year. Home doesn't have to be a short drive from work in this situation. You can do your work from anywhere in the world that you can get an Internet connection.

6. Keep up with what is going on in your industry while you are on sabbatical. Your previous boss or a new boss is more likely to look favorably on new skills learned while you were taking your year off.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.