How to make the most of an unpaid sabbatical

Wednesday, 13 June 2012 2:29 PM

There are so many countries to visit and projects to get involved in, it's no wonder the idea of booking a career break can seem so appealing. However, you may be worried about how taking an extended period out of employment could affect your job prospects.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make the most of a sabbatical and ensure that not only do you have the time of your life while you're overseas, but also that you return feeling refreshed and armed with plenty of new skills to add to your CV.

Read on to learn more about just why a career break could be so advantageous, both personally and professionally.

It's never too late

Today, taking a gap year is incredibly popular among students ahead of starting university. If you missed out on this opportunity, don't make the mistake of thinking you have left it too late. Even if you took a gap year after school, there's no reason you shouldn't repeat the experience - particularly when there is so much out there to explore.

More people than ever before are choosing to take time out from work and travel abroad, either for a few weeks or for as long as a year. They know how important it is to see all the countries they have always wanted to visit while they have the money, time and fitness to do so comfortably.

Take a sabbatical

One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of going travelling is the thought of having to give up work. However, there is a way to overcome this.

If you have been toying with the idea of changing the direction of your career, this would be the ideal time to travel. Your time out of employment could well help you form a more concrete plan of what it is you would like to do.

Alternatively, if you are happy in your job and good at it but simply dream of spending time travelling, it may be worth seeing if your boss will allow you to take it as a sabbatical. This means that they will hold your post open for you until you return. Best of all, if they think the break you have planned will ultimately benefit them in some way - such as if you will be learning a language or developing new skills - they may even pay for it! Should your boss want to avoid permanently losing a valuable member of staff, it is likely approving your sabbatical will be a more attractive option than allowing you to leave altogether.

Enhance your CV

Whether you have a job or not, travelling can be a great way ton learn new skills and furnish your CV. For one thing, you will have a unique opportunity to learn a new language in the country where it is spoken and test your abilities on the local people.

Another idea is to volunteer. By lending a hand, you will have a unique opportunity to get under the skin of the country you are visiting and give something back to the people who live here.

Recharge your batteries

Perhaps the best way to make the most of your career break is to really enjoy your time outside the office. Today, a person could spend 50 years or longer working, so it's little wonder they get itchy feet and start hankering for a change.

Travelling to new places gives you the perfect change to recharge your batteries - and you could return home with a whole new lease of life!