Why a Career Break Is a Smart Move, with Katrina McGhee

Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job

Mac Prichard

Careers, Business

4.8 • 630 Ratings

🗓️ 1 October 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16301&preview=true) Taking time away from work can feel risky, but Find Your Dream Job guest Katrina McGhee says a career break is often a smart move. She explains why intentional time off — whether planned or unexpected — can help you recover from burnout, realign with your values, or pursue long-delayed life goals. Katrina also shares why employers are increasingly supportive of breaks and how you can position yours as an advantage in your job search. Katrina recommends starting with a clear purpose statement and designing your break around what you most want from the experience. She covers practical steps, such as setting goals, planning finances, and allowing space for both decompression and reentry. With the right approach, Katrina says, a career break won’t hold you back. It can renew your energy, build your confidence, and set you up for long-term success. About Our Guest: Katrina McGhee is a sabbatical coach who helps professionals turn a career break into a strategic advantage. Check out Katrina’s book, Taking A Career Break For Dummies Resources in This Episode: Connect with Katrina on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Because I run a job board, I talk to applicants almost every day.
0:04.0	And many of the people I meet make the same mistake.
0:07.0	They have no clear job search goals.
0:10.0	So they apply everywhere, every day, all day long.
0:15.0	You might think it's smart to send lots of applications.
0:18.0	After all, it's a numbers game, right? It's not. The more you narrow your
0:23.2	search, the easier everything gets, and the happier you'll be in your next job. Stop chasing every
0:29.5	lead. Instead, focus on what you really want. Now, figuring out your goals can be hard, but we have
0:35.8	a MaxList resource that can help.
0:38.3	Finding focus in your job search.
0:40.6	Go to MaxList.org slash Focus.
0:43.2	Our free step-by-step MaxList Guide will help you create your own job search goals.
0:49.1	Get your copy today.
0:50.8	Visit maxlist.org slash focus again.
0:56.7	That's maxlis.org slash focus. Focus.
0:56.7	This is find your dream job. The podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life.
1:14.0	I'm your host, Mack Pritchard. I'm also the founder of Max List. It's a job board in the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career.
1:23.8	Every Wednesday, I talk to a different expert about the tools you need to get the work you want.
1:29.3	You may worry that taking a break from work during your career can hurt you professionally.
1:35.3	Katrina McGee is here to talk about why a career break is a smart move.
1:40.3	She's a sabbatical coach who helps professionals turn a career break into a strategic advantage.
1:46.0	Katrina has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and NBC, and she joins us from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Mac Prichard, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Mac Prichard and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.