How To Talk About Your Career Break.

Update: 2025-05-07

Description

🎙️ Episode 20 – How to Talk About Your Career Break
📘 Hosted by James Hammond & Katrina McGhee, Career Break and Sabbatical Coach

Show Summary:
In this episode, Katrina McGhee, author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies and co-founder of BreakSpace, joins host James Hammond to dive deep into a challenge many career breakers face—how to talk about your career break confidently and authentically. Whether you're planning a break, currently on one, or returning to the workforce, this episode explores powerful mindset shifts and strategies to overcome judgment, doubt, and social pressure.

From pre-break anxiety and awkward conversations to managing "What’s next?" questions during the break, Katrina shares real-world tips and a proven 4-step framework for navigating difficult conversations. Tune in for empowering advice that helps you own your decision and find the right words to articulate your break with clarity and pride.

💡 Key Takeaways & Topics Covered:

How to prepare for conversations before, during, and after a career break
Why career breaks feel unconventional—and why that’s okay
The psychology behind fear of judgment and self-doubt
What to do when people give unsolicited advice about job searching
Using intentional language to own your decision
The power of a “purpose statement” and identifying your themes
How to answer “What’s next for you?” when you don’t have all the answers
Reframing curiosity as opportunity, not judgment
Building inner confidence before external conversations

🧠 Katrina’s 4-Step Framework to Navigate Career Break Conversations:

Build your confidence and conviction – Understand why you took the break and its benefits.
Own your decision – Speak with intention, not apology.
Craft your go-to statement – Use your break's purpose to explain your choice clearly.
Avoid waiting for validation – Surround yourself with supportive communities like BreakSpace.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to the show and topic
01:30 – Why talking about your career break is so challenging
03:50 – Common fears: judgment, shame, and uncertainty
05:40 – Navigating pushback before you start your break
09:30 – What to say when people ask, “What do you do?”
11:00 – Dealing with unsolicited advice and job suggestions
13:30 – How people’s reactions reflect their own limiting beliefs
15:00 – Katrina’s 4-step framework for confidently talking about your break
18:50 – Why you don’t need external validation
20:40 – Final thoughts and mindset reminders