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.
My middle ground is: Don't pick up anything you get. But interview everywhere.
Being on a break can be explained away in the interviews, but you have to try different answers, practice your delivery that it sounds confident and see what works.
My answer for changing jobs and breaks: Last 3.5 years have been an outlier with uncertainties, in many career and personal lives. Few people have been fortunate to stay in the same company without getting affected. I was not one of them, and had to chose some opportunities that I would not have chosen, if not for financial and family commitments and also say No to offers that I would have wanted to see myself spend my career in. But now things have mostly been sorted on both fronts, so I am positive on this role and see myself succeeding here.
Being on a break, however, is not for everyone, anxiety gets to some people easily.
The seniors suggesting you to chose anything you get are being safe with your best interests at heart, but you can let some shitty opportunities go if they show any red flags.
Thank you so much, this is really helpful.
On the interviewing part: yes, I never shy away from that as it helps me refine my pitch, make changes to resume etc.
Reasoning for break: Sounds really good. Have something in mind to justify the gap in resume due to layoff. Need to validate with prospective HRs
Anxiety front: Have seen a fair share of struggles earlier on job front so I am relatively calm this time around. Cannot thank financial planning and security enough.
Seniors Aspect: Definitely. They said with the best of intentions and considering current market scenarios. Just that I am considering the opposite at the moment but glad to get that perspective.
Thank you so much for your response, highly appreciated :)
And honestly if you are good at what you do, breaks are overlooked. I have had 3 breaks ranging from 6-10 months, never felt it being an issue in interviews
Can I reach out to you for some generic advice and profile review etc.?
Sure.
You should only worry about your finance security or Runway.
Apart from it when the market turns up or funding winter is over, then irrespective of gaps you will be able to crack a better job and package if you have that demanded skill,
Glad to hear this :)
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