Reality of taking a career break? Especially if you are a man where you can't easily hide under emotional duress?

I am currently on a career break and not revealing this to the companies that I am applying to. However this has now been a cause of worry and weighing heavily on my conscience. I'm planning to come out honest, and not hide my career break anymore. Just one thing - I don't want this to be a problem for my salary negotiation AT ALL. So asking everyone out there, will it be a problem hiding your career break in terms of money? Want honest, real answers

Has anyone here with Tech work experience (India) (not from MAANG or any reputed companies, or tier 1 colleges ) taken a career break for personal reasons ? Not talking essential leaves maternity break or something like that, but more like for well being/upskilling/travel etc, whatever it maybe. Could you share your experience ? What was your experience like getting back to work/interview experience ? I am considering taking one myself. I know this is normalised on Europe, but I feel in India, many people (esp. some recruiters) find this weird and most people are even scared about taking a break. Thoughts ?

People who have had career breaks and joined back the work force. Share your stories

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?

Hello good folks of grapevine, I am very confused with my situation right now. I am currently working at a consumer tech unicorn in a strategy role but really burnt out with the working environment. I have no clarity on my roles and responsibilities which keeps changing every week. I am not learning much either. I am planning to quit without any offer in hand (notice period is 2 months, I have enough to survive 5-6 months). I am an IIT-IIM graduate (old ones). Total YOE ~ 4.5 years across strategy consulting, project management and strategy at current startup. Please suggest. Folks who have quit without any offer in hand, how did it work out for you?

Hello, its been on my mind for sometime. Im in a job which doesn’t seem to be going in any direction (gate walled, no clarity, team politics) and getting fed up over last few months. Want to quit & take a break, but considering the job scene here, it might be a sometime before I get another job. So should I leave or rot for few more months? 😭 Hows the job hunting scene right now? Any advise would be really appreciated.. 🙏

Is it advisable to take a break to switch jobs if you have a hard time preparing while having one ? How significant will be the impact on my profile. Financially I am well placed and can afford to take one. Details for context: YOE - 3 yrs Profile - Software Engineer (duh) Techstack - C#, .NET, SQL server, JS. Current Pay - ~20 LPA.

I’m from Tier 3 city, software engineer, 7 YoE. I work with great team member and they really love their work but I’m not that passionate. I take ownership of my work but don’t feel like I belong here. I’m not good in coding and SDET by profession. I didn’t save enough money in my first 3 years of career, switched back to back from 2020 onwards and recently moved out of India and now I think I have enough money. I always wanted to settle in my native place, Prayagraj in UP unlike my colleagues and most of my friends who enjoy to be in metro city. I somehow feel I have very less needs and if I shift to Tier 3 city, I’d have less expenses and I don’t have to buy houses as I already have home. At the same time, I feel may be I feel FOMO 5-10 years down the line I left good job, lifestyle. Additionally, I’m looking to get married, none of IT sector girls want to live in Tier 3 and rightly so as they put so much effort so they want to live/settle in metros mostly. 8 years back I took GRE, put all efforts to do MS from US. 2 years back, I got this opportunity to live that life but I feel I don’t enjoy hustle culture/ city lights. Don’t like cafe hopping or anything. I feel at peace when I visit my hometown, my paternal/maternal houses, Varanasi Ghats. I have 1.3 Cr INR but given I’m just 30. As per Finfluencer or by my sane calculation, this is not sufficient. Post marriage, this is certainly not enough. Should I take a break and assess or just keep pushing myself to earn more and then go for FIRE. Hoping for constructive feedback.

How is the 6-8 months career break seen by recruiters? I am exhausted and burnt out with currently juggling between work and health. I was hoping to take 6-8 months break and then resume work by applying for jobs. So was wondering how is the job market in India now? And will it be a wise decision to quit?