Finance managers/recruitment advice please

[duckling3]

Are there any finance manager or recruitment specialists on her who can offer their thoughts..

I am a qualified finance professional, have worked for the same large corporation for over a decade. I am currently on sabbatical leave but am seriously thinking of taking a longer career break. I have young children, and there are extra medical needs and struggles with finding suitable childcare arrangements.

i can’t really afford to take an indefinite break, so would need to return to work in 1-2 years.

my worry is about how hard it will be to find a good job when I do want to return.

i mostly work is management accounting, particularly financial planning and analysis. Its been really noticeable over the last few years how AI is changing the workplace and altering the skill sets that employees are looking for.

im looking for anyone who can offer their opinions.. if someone leaves workforce now.. how easy/ hard will it be to find a new position in a year or two. Appreciate you don’t know my skill sets, but more in general . Will the workplace be noticeably different?

Would you be able to go part time to keep your hand in and up to date with the latest innovations - AI is moving so quickly.

I have done it twice. I don't regret and it hasn't impacted my career progression but it can take a bit of time to find a new job went you start looking. I guess the same could be said when you are in a permanent job, that finding a new one can take a bit of time. Temporary job employers are less concerned about continuous employment history so probably easier route to get back into employment.

I know this isn’t quite what you’re asking, but I would see if your current employer would grant you longer leave first - even 6 months.

Also, if they don’t allow this and you end up resigning, I would think about how willing you are to take a demotion/paycut. At least temporarily. If not at all then I think it’s too risky.

FWIW I did this a long time ago and never got back to my career, partly as I don’t want to, and luckily because my husband earnt enough. I did go back to work after 2 year, but in a much lower paid and grade role. And I’ve not attempted to climb the ladder again, although obvs I could have done so, and so could you.

Finally, if you do take time out, consider paying into a private pension during that time if you can possibly afford it.

AI is the biggest challenge here and just how fast new software changes etc I would say. I’d personally go back but on reduced hours - you say you can’t be off in definately but what will be different in 1-2 years??? AI will be further advanced and you could be even more out of the loop.

if it’s just 1-2 years out it should be fine. If it’s going to be 5+ years out then likely to be harder and might mean coming back in a lower level but it fully depends on the job market at the time you come back, your level of motivation and what you do to stay on top of changes whilst off

@duckling3 I was in much the same situation as you, and I went freelance. There will always be businesses who need trained finance staff. The all-singing all-dancing AI does not have all the answers, not by a long way, particularly when the owners of small businesses get hold of some accounting software and think it will wave a magic wand over everything. They can get into the most almighty mess.