Plan to make a big career move? Think small

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Sapna Prasad is in a dilemma. The 38-year-old wants to take a sabbatical for a year to take care of her ailing mother but believes it might affect her future job prospects.

“I seriously don’t know what to do," says the marketing and communications head at a Mumbai-based multinational. Earlier this year, Prasad got a promotion and a good pay hike, and she isn’t too keen to “spoil her work rhythm". “There’s just so much anxiety on all fronts.

Mom needs attention and I have enough savings to last me more than a year, but what if I become irrelevant at work after a year of not working and being visible?" Often people, like Prasad, are forced to make a big career move, like consider a sabbatical—or an extended break from work that may span anywhere from two months to a year—for personal reasons. Or, relocate and adjust to a new city with their partner. Or, just quit as a way to resist the “work, work, work" culture, and relax and recharge.

“In my experience, one of the most common reasons for a career break is to relocate with a spouse. Some individuals make a big career move because they feel dissatisfied with their work graph and plan to do something else," says Neelima Chakara, executive coach and founder of PurposeLadder that helps individuals plan their career better. “A few also take some time off to upskill and fast track their career." So, what are the things one needs to keep in mind while planning a big career move? Firstly, take it slow.

For Sharan Sharma, 41, leaving his cushy corporate job in the financial services sector wasn’t easy. He wanted to explore the world of data science, which meant pursuing a course to upgrade his skillset. “The most difficult step was to move to