how easy do you think it will be to enter workforce after 1-2 years of absence

[ggnfs000]

well, enjoyed about 10 years experience in IT industry. First 5 years were lot of missteps and last 5 years were smooth sailing and enjoyable. Well, not sure it is fortunately or unfortunately, life's storm is coming (although its imminence can be seen from distance this time compared to past experiences where it strikes at a time where it is not expected), at current jobs, things are getting dull, proj after proj, doing same thing over and over again, pressures for timely deliverable, it takes much extra effort to learn and adv. at the current management style. Plus family issues back home got me calling, increasing need to be with aging parents. Perfect storm. Need to get out of job and thinking 1-2 years of rest but concerned about getting back to work.

However meantime, I am going to be involved in lot of self-study (during this time, at my own pace, finish working on one linux kernel based project + couple of Cisco cert-s, both of which are not really possible to pursue with current jobs. Perhaps take some master's degree classes in AI.

Good thing is enjoyed a lot of savings so should be able to float for several years but have to get out of SV area as COLs has skyrocketed.

Biggest worry is of course getting back to work. Age is also concern, almost approaching 40 now. Few months back 60 something fellow engineer got laid off just heard few days back that he has not managed to get another one.

Ok, need to stop here before spilling all my guts.

[icecream-guy]

Depends on what market you are in, and where you are willing to go, as well commute and such, if you are near or willing to go to a high tech hub, do some contact work, travel, and such, make long commutes, you should have no issues, as long as you have good reasons for taking time off.  if you live in East Tanzania where there are 3 IT jobs total, maybe you might run into difficulties.  Taking time off to help aging parents or committing time to certify, or doing a stint in the peace corps are acceptable reasons. taking time off to schlep around Europe with a backpack and your thumb, not so.

[wintermute000]

Family is family but if there is any way to avoid a 12-24 month break I would do so. This is the classic "I'm going to take a year off and do a CCIE, thoughts?" debate. It makes getting hired again a lot harder and unless you are SUPER motivated its hard to get a year's genuine full-time effort's worth of study with no external motivation.

[deanwebb]

How about starting somewhere else? If it's a big enough place, it'll take 2-3 months to get you started with all your access, and then another 3-9 months before people learn where you sit, and then a kinda busy year after that before things get really hellacious.

But firms like to hire people that are currently employed. Funny thing, how that works... you're more likely to get a job if you already have a job and less likely to get a job if you actually need a job.

[icecream-guy]

But firms like to hire people that are currently employed. Funny thing, how that works... you're more likely to get a job if you already have a job and less likely to get a job if you actually need a job.

That works for girlfriends too.

[ggnfs000]

But firms like to hire people that are currently employed. Funny thing, how that works... you're more likely to get a job if you already have a job and less likely to get a job if you actually need a job.

That is the sucker part.

[deanwebb]

... which is why getting a more laid back job may be preferable to getting no job at all.

[ggnfs000]

Migrating to Europe comes to mind. Less salary, more taxes, more vacation days, better healthcare, and food. seems reasonable.  But met few people who lived there,  heard life is harder there compared to stateside. Hell, currently getting 2 weeks per a year.

[deanwebb]

Depends upon the part of Europe you move to... Greece, for example, should not be on your list of potential destinations. Their economy is, how you say... "up in the air", where an economy should not be.

Texas is a pretty good country to migrate to.

[ggnfs000]

Family is family but if there is any way to avoid a 12-24 month break I would do so. This is the classic "I'm going to take a year off and do a CCIE, thoughts?" debate. It makes getting hired again a lot harder and unless you are SUPER motivated its hard to get a year's genuine full-time effort's worth of study with no external motivation.

Yes need some explaining to prospective employers regarding the employment gap. But during 2009 recession I had 1 yr gap and my employer did not even bother to ask. This time. I really feel pressure to get out current job, current one definitely feel like it had done ceiling in terms of growth, it is still great salary, benefit, no interpersonal issues at work, freedom to do a lot of stuff with no umanagement all of which are hard to come by. Still contemplating.

[deanwebb]

If there's a freedom to do a lot of stuff, why not study on the job and keep your employment status up?

[ggnfs000]

Sheer amount of work itself. Tight deadlines because supply chain ttm beyond our control etc

[deanwebb]

Well, there's no recession going on right now... just remember that any gap on the resume will demand an explanation, and any attempt to hide that gap will be found out and potential employers will wonder what else you tried to deceive them about.

As it is, having a gap because you wanted to take off time to go to school/study will make the potential employer ask if you would end up doing that again? If you take off to help elders or children - and I hate to be brutal, but I must - unless the subject of the care is now passed on, when will you take off time to do that again?

I had to answer for a gap in my employment from 11 years before I was hired and whether or not I was planning to go back to teaching at some point in the future. The gap was very personal, very unique, and can't happen again. Check. Education here is such a mess, I could speak believably about not going back to that profession. Check. I got hired.

So, if your gap is easily defensible and not likely to be repeated, have a gap. Take care of what needs taking care of. But if you could just firm up resolve and keep going a little longer, usually firming up that resolve is a better way to go - and I say this as I have recent doubts about my own role. What I needed in 2001-2002 is on such a different level than what I need now, I have to face facts and firm up my resolve and to keep going. Your mileage may vary, but that's the road I've been on.