Feeling Stuck: Should I Take This Job or Continue My Career Break for Better Balance?

Hi friends, my name is Heena. I am a marketing professional with two years of experience and an MBA from Pune University. I was working for an upcoming website in an IT company as a marketing manager. Being a multi-tasker and a creative initiator, I managed various tasks like concept designing, strategic business development, HR, team development, branding, online marketing, webpage UI designing, creative writing, etc., and much more. Not only in this company, but in the little span of my career, I have worked very hard and dedicated myself totally to the companies I have worked for, witnessing the laurels of success for myself and my employers. However, during this time, my personal life suffered a lot. I was under a lot of pressure to maintain balance. I had a breakup in my long-term relationship, but despite this, I never let it affect my professional front.

In the past few months, I started getting bored and tired of my work. I didn't like going to the office and actually hated everything. I was so bored and tired of work, I didn't find any interest in it and started finding reasons to quit. The work was also getting out of hand, changing my profile, and I wasn't learning anything new. Plus, my personal life was very imbalanced. I missed my home very badly and was homesick, which worsened my problems as I was staying in Pune. I wanted to go back to my hometown very badly and became desperate for it. My decision-making was weakening day by day, and I was unable to think straight. I couldn't sleep, work, or do anything properly. I started repeating my problems to myself and people around me, which led to their irritation and my loneliness. I started behaving very weirdly and was angry and frustrated all the time. My friends and family suggested I need a break, so at last, I decided I needed a change, a very good change. I gave it deep thought and decided to leave Pune and go to my hometown. Though my job was good enough, I resigned and left Pune a month ago. I wanted to give myself time to get back to normal, so I spent time at home with my family. I live in a small town, so career options are limited.

Then, I saw a newspaper ad for a vacancy in a local construction company for a marketing manager's profile and thought of giving it a try. At that time, I was quite okay with it, but after the interview, I was confused and not in the mood to do it. I waited for their call, and when I got selected, they called me to discuss my profile. The employer was very impressed with my work and was willing to offer a pretty good package, although it's less than what I had in Pune. But being in my hometown, it is a very good one, so I thought about it. Now, the problem is, no matter how hard I convince myself, I am just not in the mood to do that job. I haven't joined yet, but I feel it like a burden. I don't know why I am just not in the mood to do it. I didn't feel it right or something, and I really don't understand what's wrong with me. Why am I not doing it? If I do it, the only reason will be money. I guess I am not interested in it. I never work only for money; job satisfaction, work profile, and my learning and growth are equally important as time is a very important thing I will be giving them. It might turn out good, but I'm just not in the mind to do it. I don't know. Or it's just that I am not ready yet. I am so confused. It's irritating to keep thinking the same thing all the time. I just don't understand what's the matter with me. Please help me. One moment I think I should try at least; the next, I think I don't want to try, I need a break. If this is my situation, how can I handle my work? I am a positive person, and I know every problem has a solution. Please guide me on what I should do. Should I go for this job or continue with my career break to rejuvenate myself and get back on the right track? Please guide me. I have also thought of a career change or maybe going abroad for studies or work. I don't know, but right now, the important thing is whether to take it or leave it. Please guide me on what to do and how I should move forward. Please help me.

Eagerly waiting for your feedback.

Understanding and Managing Burnout in the IT Industry

In short, your situation, while empathizing, is a clear and typical case of 'Burn-out'—as psychologists would term it. Earlier, it used to occur in mid-career (late-30s/early-40s), but in the IT industry, it is more often noticed and experienced even in the early 20s, when the person is only a few years into their job.

While it's good to be 100% focused on your career, day and night, it's also important and absolutely necessary for the individual to balance official and personal lives. This could lead to even medical problems (cardiac situations being one of the most often noticed among the younger lot by doctors in recent years).

Steps to Overcome Burnout

Coming to 'what to do'—First and foremost, don't 'allow' yourself to be stressed—which is a lot different from 'getting' stressed. If your financial situation permits you, take a break for... like you mentioned... rejuvenation. But at the same time, keep trying for openings—since if you stay out-of-touch and without any job for a longer duration, you would have problems having to justify the career gap during the interviews. All said and done, not many companies would appreciate your situation... career burn-out would become a negative factor in the hiring process.

Next, suggest having a rethink of your career goals—which sector/domain you want to establish yourself in. Your experience so far has been in IT, but the present opportunity you got is in Construction. Are you really serious about entering that sector? Forget about whether the company likes you or not—at the end of the day, it's YOUR Career and YOUR Peace-of-Mind. If you were in two minds about whether to enter this sector, then you shouldn't have even attended the interview—and added to the pressure you already are trying to reduce.

Choosing the Right Work Environment

Where is your hometown? If you have any city or larger town close by, then suggest opting for openings in such locations. You would be closer to home and as well as work in a reasonably large/professional environment. I am not sure if 'compromising' for smaller companies for THIS reason is worth it in the long run. Since work pressure WILL ALWAYS be there—you need to learn HOW to handle it, all the while balancing with personal goals and life.

Establishing a Work Routine

And—in the future—suggest having some sort of a working hours setup/routine for yourself. Working beyond normal hours SHOULD be more as an EXCEPTION than the NORM—hope you get the point. As long as you are single, it wouldn't 'seem' to be a problem. But once you get married, then change becomes tough—NOT for you, but for the organization, and you end up inviting fresh problems.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS