What is a Sabbatical and how do you explain having one in your Career?

The definition of Sabbatical is “a break from work” during which employees can pursue their interests, like traveling, writing, research, volunteering or other activities like motherhood (or even rest) etc.
 
Post the Economic Meltdown and for a time now ‘Layoffs’ and ‘sabbaticals’ have been taken in their stride by Recruiters and Hiring Managers. It is no longer a taboo and all across the industry people have grown used to the changing times and challenges of the economy. Professionals / Job Seekers need to focus on the positives done and skills gained while between positions or on a sabbatical and not on explaining why they were between positions or on leave.
 
It is advisable to mentally accept the circumstances and be in tune with the responses. Hiring Managers will make you uncomfortable only if you are not in sync. If you are in sync then you can explain the reasons confidently and showcase that the break had in no way diminished your skills and expertise for the job. In a nutshell… “You are ready to bounce back”.