🎙 Episode 28 – When to Job Hunt on a Career Break: Timing Your Reentry Right

In this insightful episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond explore one of the most common pitfalls for career breakers: job searching too soon. Drawing on Katrina’s experience as a career break and sabbatical coach, and James’s practical wisdom from years of international job hopping, this conversation gets honest about what it truly means to be ready to reenter the workforce.

Katrina shares her proven “1 for 6” rule, helping you understand how much time you should dedicate to reentry based on the length of your break. They also discuss how early job searching can create unnecessary stress and derail the purpose of your break entirely.

Whether you're currently on a sabbatical, planning one, or feeling anxious about what comes next, this episode is packed with practical strategies on compartmentalising your job search, building a reentry plan, managing expectations, and setting clear metrics to avoid burnout.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting the job hunt too early can backfire

• How to know when you’re actually ready to reenter

• The 1-for-6 reentry planning strategy

• Why “pray and spray” job applications don’t work

• How to compartmentalise job search energy

• Tools and mindset tips for navigating rejection

• The power of networking during reentry

• Practical advice for job seekers in today’s AI-driven world

  
  

  📌 Resources Mentioned:

• Katrina’s community + course: GoBreakSpace.com

• Book: Taking a Career Break for Dummies

• • Platforms: LinkedIn, Indeed, AI mock interview tools, Google job search

  
  

  Timestamps

• 00:50 – Episode Introduction

• 02:30 – The Trap of Starting Too Early

• 04:50 – The Toxic Spiral of Early Searching

• 06:45 – Recommended Job Search Timeline

• 08:30 – Making Career Pivoting Part of Your Break Theme

• 10:15 – Reentry Tips: Start with Clear Metrics

• 12:00 – Managing Rejection and Silence

• 14:15 – Why “Pray and Spray” Job Applications Don’t Work

• 16:00 – The Power of Networking Over Cold Applications

• 18:00 – Updated Job Search Tools & AI Advice

• 20:00 – Wrap Up

  
  

  Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

  🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

  🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

  📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

  If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

  
  

  BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com

  Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php

  Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book

  Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com