Time Off / Starting Back Advice.

[srichards]

Hi all,

I have been contracting for the last 5 years or so, but I took the whole of last year off work (finished last contract 19th December 2007)

The reason I had the year off was purely to take some 'well earned' extended holidays and help out the family business. So during this time I have 'done' quite a bit of work but this was unpaid and in a totally different profession to IT.
I had a nice cash stash saved up so I also didn't bother signing on the dole.

NB: during my time off I have also skilled up on 2 (nearly 3) areas of expertise.

I am now planning to find and start a new project in Jan 2009, but I have a few questions I would like your help on please?

1: How should I word this time off on my CV? If I was fully honest and added all the things I have done for my father this year it would ruin the whole good looking projects I have previously done and listed on my CV fro an I.T perspective? Should I just be honest and say I 'wanted' the time off! (If so how would this be taken my potential clients?) or finally, do I blag it??? (Bit worried about this one)

2: Does this affect any other aspects of restarting after a years break? One thing what worried me was a statement from a friend who said I am not allowed to have more than 3 months off work without 'signing on'?? But surely if I do not need the jobseekers money as I have savings why would this cause any concern?


Apologies for the lengthy post, but any help or advice would be great.
Many thanks in advance.

[Svalbaard]

I'd ignore your friend as he doesn't know what he's on about.

I generally take 6 months off for every 18 worked without ever signing on as it's not worth the effort. The only thing I get after 3 months is my P45 from the umbrella company. I simply rejoin them when I pick up a new contract.

As regards what to put on your CV - my longest break from contracting was for a year after some personal issues and for each separate break I write it on my CV like this (example):

01/08 - 12/08 Career Break - to pursue other interests. Please ask for more details.

Thats exactly as I write it. Nothing more - and I have not had any trouble finding work as yet. Also, discussing these career breaks at interview has always been a good way of letting the client get to know me.

Good luck.

[Cheshire Cat]

Agree. The interviewer will be perhaps envious and curious, but I'd tell the truth if I were in your boat. Sell it as an interesting soujourn / sabbatical, and it can be a talking point in the interview, rather than a cloud. The interviewer will really just want to judge whether you actually spent a year in a bangkok perv's cell, or not.
Regarding job seekers allowance: this is not mandatory, it's a benefit that you can choose to avail yourself of, if necessary. Loads of people have "unconventional" working patterns, such as performers, artists, writers, lecturers, etc, where taking time out from the main source of income to pursue something else, and later returning to that income stream, is part and parcel of the lifestyle. It's nobody's business but yours how often you need/choose to work.

[Scotchpie]

You mention you have skilled up on 2 or 3 areas. Could you not use professional development as your reason?

[Bright Spark]

I would put this as "Research and Development" and then explain the new
technolgies that I have researched and software that I developed
which would help the client increase market share,
cut costs and improve efficiency.

[Scotchpie]

...and software that I developed
which would help the client increase market share,
cut costs and improve efficiency.

... and which I'm willing to make available to you the client for a competitively priced per-user licence.

[lexington_spurs]

Question is: were you tagged on release and is it visible in an interview situation?

[BolshieBastard]

I took an 18 month break from IT to try another business venture. It didnt pay enough so I came back to IT.

On my cv I just have the period and brief details of the other work I did. I picked up a contract soon afterwards. Its now nearly 4 years ago. I've had other contracts and just agreed an extension with current client to June 2009 which will make nearly 3 years with the same client.

I've never once been asked about the break from IT.

However, now is a difficult time but even so, just be honest about what you did and why.

[Turion]

You mis-timed things badly. Next year will be an anus-horisbisy thing for contracting. You could well have another year on the bench whether you want it or not.

[vetran]

Think laterally

Is the family business instantly recognisable as such?

In 2003 I did some work for Vetran's parent's & co. It was just put down as XYZ at large company specialising in ABC. I also did some work for Vetran's mate co. again put down as valuable experience. Just make sure whoever signs the reference doesn't have the same surname.

I actually made the most money from doing day gigs for an old employer but I learnt loads of useful stuff from the family firm and my mate's company. All of which I sold in the interview.

Assuming the experience is relevant e.g. needed more man management / project experience then it isn't time wasted. They have no right to know how much you were paid.

Remember the interviewer is not likely to be a contractor and will be suspicious of time off for any reason. Explain it honestly but not exhaustively (not the whole truth) what the benefits to them are.