

The Career Break That Saved My Career and How I Found Meaningful Work
Jun 23, 2025
Caroline, a former executive who took a two-year career break due to burnout, shares her inspiring journey of rediscovering meaningful work. She discusses the challenges of returning to the workforce after a hiatus and how to turn a career gap into a strength. Caroline reveals the importance of expressing what you truly want rather than apologizing for your past. She emphasizes using tools like StrengthsFinder to articulate your unique strengths, aligning work with personal values, and negotiating worth for a fulfilling career.
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Caroline's Career Break Story
- Caroline reached a breaking point after 17 years in a demanding role, feeling burnout and unfulfilled.
- She took a two-year career break, moved countries, and faced the challenge of rebuilding professionally.
Leverage Strengths Assessments
- Use tools like Gallup StrengthsFinder to identify your core strengths and understand your value.
- This clarity helps explain past role mismatches and equips you with language to communicate your worth.
Be Clear About Your Needs
- Clearly state what you want in your next role instead of apologizing for career gaps.
- Let potential employers decide if your requests are too much; don't assume compromise is automatic.