Taking a small gap of 3 months to upskill?

I got laid off and I have been getting rejected in my interviews a lot and want to take some time to work on my skills, is it a bad decision? My YOE is 3 years as a SWE

I am working at a rather differentiated industry (one which works closely with Management Consulting and PE/VC firms globally) in a founder’s office role. I have received an offer letter for a decent MiM program in the UK (Sept ‘23 intake) I have laid down my papers and by Feb end I’ll be moving on from my role. My plan is to utilise these 6 months on upskilling, pursuing interests apart from work. For future opportunities, does this gap seem to be quite “long”? Would taking up pre-masters fellowship/internship be a better idea?

For some context: I have about 4.5 YoE & 3 years directly in product along with Master’s level qualification. Primarily have worked with early stage start ups and have experienced similar challenges in each so avoiding this segment and red flag companies (taking Glassdoor, ambition box reviews as the basis here) But a few people/seniors are suggesting to consider any opportunity with any kind of company as the market is bad. So wanted some perspective on the risk of career gap on resume vs being stuck in a similar company and going through the same job search process maybe 6 months or a year down the line? What would be a better trade off? P.S: Currently I am able to focus on overall up skilling and whatever is needed to clear job interviews and have decent financial security & runway. Any advice/perspectives are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hey grapeviners, a data analyst this side (2 yoe). I aim to pivot into software engineering roles in the near future and that's what I do in my free time - prepare. I recently realized how much time I'll have on my hands if I start devoting my entire day to my studies and preparation - which includes building a project and studying advanced DSA. I can do this by resigning at my current job and then try to go all in on my "mission: domain change", and I definitely am okay to sit at home and put 3 months on this but nobody I discuss this with, advises me to quit my job for upskilling (or cross-skilling in this case). Most advice I get is to do this WITH my current job even if it takes longer to do so. I don't understand this - what will go so wrong if I resign and invest in myself? I am well aware of the market situation rn for engineers and even understand that before you make these decisions, it is important to have a financial as well as mental runway. I am sorted on the financial runway part and for the mental runway - I think I'll enjoy the time off and having the liberty to architect my own day makes me drool already. I want to have the whole day to myself to learn backend, solve DSA questions, hit the gym, make meaningful and large chunks of progress daily. That's what I aspire to do post my notice period and I confidently believe in my abilities to do so, but I've been bogged down by all the advice I've got till now. Am I stupid enough to believe in myself and think 3-4* months without a job is a boon for me in the long run than a bane? Am I stupid enough to believe that 3-4* months of working on myself will change me? Am I blind eyed by something or am I being plain delusional? I use 3-4 months coz that's what I think realistically will be enough for me to upskill, be interview ready and get a new job. And this time frame I've considered after a 2 month NP. Thanks for reading if you've till now! 🙏 Any thoughts are welcome. Cheers!

If someone has close to 3 years experience as a software developer after completing B.tech and wants to pursue M.tech, but for some reason he could not clear GATE exam and wants to join as a software developer after 1 year of preparation gap. I want to know what will be the impact of this while searching for a job after one year of preparation gap?

I am having 3. 6 years of experience in service based, but due to cost cutting and lack of project, I lost my job, asked to do force resignation. today is my last working day., I started preparing for product based companies few months back. I completed dsa and started working on development to build some projects because I have zero knowledge on building applications. but this layoff happened in middle, Right now I have two options. Either join any any company that I get by makinng my profile as immediate joiner obviously it will be again service based company and it will be my 3rd company or shall I persue my dream of cracking or joinng in product or unicorn by having gap. I put lot of efforts for my goal now I am in middle of achieving it. Any suggestions will be Appriciated. Comming to money side, I have made some savings to survive for 8 to 9 months because I am single so no responsibilities. But my only confusion is shall I let this gap or shall I join in any company immediately, if I need to join any company then I have to join again in service based company. Please suggest me which one to choose. Also will Gap matters for my next employer.

Hi all I have 2 years of experience in full stack mobile application development and I planned to take 6 month break to improve my mental health and tech skills. how it will impact my career can I get job after that gap

I worked at company X from 2016-2021. Left March 2021, but the next thing I joined was in late 2022. Between that time, first I was preparing for Masters, got in, but ultimately decided to not go. It took 8 months as the market was really bad and I was unprepared. Now, when I am looking to switch from current job, I have gotten a couple of queries around why the gap etc. I originally thought I will explain the situation but now to prevent getting filtered out in screening, is it okay to write company X tenure from March 2021 to March 2022, reducing the gap? All help/inputs from experienced folks is appreciated 🙏🏽

I am 26M with close to 3 years of work experience and a MBA from a tier 1 college. I make decent salary, however I am not really enjoying my job. I am also depressed from working very hard the past 5 years with graduation, Covid and job Etc. I just want to take a few months off and focus on my mental/physical health. I also want to prepare for Product roles and try out some business/freelancing ideas I have. My concern is how Career gaps are treated like a stigma in the industry. Like what was the use of working so hard and getting qualifications, if I cannot take a few months in between jobs to focus on myself. Can someone help me get some perspective?