Stuck for what to do

This section has a worksheet to help you find out what motivates you (this link opens in a new window).  We'll be adding lots more things to this section - if you have a suggestion, let us know.

Try this

Click here to display a random career break company, and, even if it's not the sort of thing that you'd ever thought you'd do, take the time to look at what's on offer and see what you could get out of it. Sometimes it's not until options are right under our noses that we even think about doing something different.

How to make your break help your career

The most important thing about your career break is that you don't waste it. Not just for yourself, but also when the time comes to get another job.

Employers want to see that you've done your career break for a reason (even if it's just wanting to see the world). They also want evidence that you've learnt something. If you've retrained, or done any sort of course at all, it shows you still have the capacity to learn. This is true even if your course has nothing to do with your day job.

Some general skills you might pick up:

1. Working as part of a team, particularly if you've done volunteer work. A willingness to pitch in is always valued.
2. Leadership skills, especially if you've been teaching.
3. Ability to communicate effectively – talking to people from other cultures widens your horizons and makes you able to understand people better.
4. Organisational skills, especially if you go travelling.
5. Developing confidence – a cliché perhaps, but it will show at an interview.
6. Motivation – just the fact that you've had the confidence and enthusiasm to take a career break will make you stand out from other job-seekers.

Where next?

• The motivation worksheet. (this link opens in a new window)
• Back to the Stuck? page.
• To Overcoming obstacles.
• I want to search for a career break.