I want to take a few years off to raise babies. For people who have done this is it easy to get hired into your career again? I have a director level position but am very underpaid and have been at the same company a long time. I feel like I am done with them and want to cherish time with my young family now and get a much better salary someplace new when the kids are in school. Opinions?
you won't be able to return to a director position. you'll have to start over, probably in an ic role.
if you're underpaid as a director you could probably be paid more for a remote managerial/IC position
Actually this is close to what I'd recommend. You can probably get a senior manager or director role that would allow a flexible schedule or remote work and that would be less damaging. unfortunately, the people I've known who took that much time off ended up a couple steps below where they were initially. But I've seen plenty of parents at the director level and up limit their hours worked through delegation, especially hours worked onsite.
Babies are a terrible idea. Why are people still having these things.
I would go for the kids if I were you. I absolutely love being a parent. It's a great joy. Making a career comeback might not be easy but I've seen people make harder comebacks. Google "Dana Vollmer". Maybe her story will encourage and inspire you.
It definitely shouldn't but sadly it does. If kids are in school, you probably have at least half a day to yourself. Part-time not an option?
They won't be in school for a few more years and that is when I think I would like to work again.
The workaround is to start a startup while parenting, even if it "fails". It's acceptable resume filler for the Bay Area.
That is pretty clever! Thanks for the tip!
I did this successfully, but in a tech role
Friend of mine took a few years off to raise kids and rejoined the same company and team she left but at a slightly lower level (2nd level manager to 1st level)
Left for 2.5 years and then got a much better paying same level role fairly easily. Make sure you keep in touch with colleagues because i got all my interviews through referrals
in general you cannot get away with it UNLESS you have an irreplaceable skillset. I have known folks who did it and are now unemployable. There's a sentiment which says "Hey i stuck it out and suffered through it so I expect anyone I hire to have done the same". Are you a man or woman ? Doesn't matter, the effect is the same but I am curious.
I wouldn't think I had an irreplaceable skill set but I've tried hiring people to do some of what I do and it's strangely hard to get good candidates. Anyway thanks for replying. Interesting to consider.