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Like Lily, workers can benefit from career breaks

In most cases, career breaks are the preserve of middle-aged professionals keen to take a respite from the rat race they have been on non-stop for at least a couple of decades and enjoy 12 months of golf or globe-trotting.

However, never one to stick with convention, 24-year-old Lily Allen has announced that she is to take time out from her music career, hinting that she is likely to spend 'one or two years' pursuing alternative activities.

Speaking to Sara Cox on Radio 1, the Smile singer confirmed that her March concert with Dizzee Rascal will be her last for the foreseeable future and revealed that she plans to "concentrate on doing some behind-the-scenes sort of stuff", such as running a record label and a fashion retail operation.

"I'm going to get into signing new bands, but at a really early level," Lily said.

"I don't want to compete with other record companies, but I want to support new artists."

Of course, it's something of a no-lose situation for the star as her success up until this point means that it's unlikely she will be in any serious financial trouble should her change in career direction turn out not quite as planned.

In comparison, for most people, walking away from a stable job, particularly in the current economic climate, is something of a risk.

However, according to some employment experts, far from putting a professional at a disadvantage, taking time out from the coalface can actively enhance their careers and open up a range of new job opportunities over the longer-term future.

Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of the Career Break Site, explained that those candidates whose CVs boast additions such as studying or working overseas or volunteering in the community are likely to stand out from
the usual crowd.

She added, however: "Some people are still unaware that employers value the skills you can get on a career break.

"It is not just the formal skills and qualifications factor but also soft skills like problem solving, overcoming challenges, gaining confidence and communication skills that are a big part of it as well."

However, jobseekers may soon be required to go further to get themselves noticed by employers as growing numbers opt to take time out and either travel the world or gain work experience.

According to a recently-published study from InsureandGo, it is estimated that an additional 260,000 Britons are likely to have taken career breaks by the end of 2009, with the 35-to-54 age group in particular getting itchy feet, meaning that following Lily’s example and actually working on a career break, rather than just travelling the world, could be key to staying one step ahead of the competition.


It’s always a good idea to look at the jobcentre plus options for searching for a new position; you may need to apply for several vacancies before you get an interview