Resume etiquette for grad school leaves of absence

June 4, 2009 12:13 PM

How do I include a leave of absence from grad school on a resume?

I just finished my first year of graduate school, and for various reasons (unsure it's what I want to do with my life, need perspective, stress, anxiety, etc) decided to take a leave of absence for ~1 year. In order to gain perspective (and earn money to live on) I would like to find a job during this time. Ideally, I am looking for a job in the same field as grad school, so I would like to include the school on my resume (it's a good program). But, I want any reference to seem positive while still being truthful. How do I word this experience to indicate a leave of absence rather than dropping out, or not going at all?

posted by dormouse to work & money (9 answers total)

Less in more. I'm in the same shoes. Tell people about your existential ennui and you'll never land a job even at Starbucks. Don't explain it unless they ask, and then just say you need to take a little time off. If they press, be forthright. If they don't, then don't volunteer.
posted by jefficator at 12:16 PM on June 4, 2009

Agree with Less is more sentiment. Though personally I'd skew more to the financial needs, rather than the personal needs. Which honestly I'm not sure is the correct approach, I just believe that's how I would skew the sentiment.
posted by Lacking Subtlety at 12:19 PM on June 4, 2009

I bet that if you called your grad school's career counseling service, they'd have some ideas about this. I think it's actually a slightly larger issue for your job search: are you going to bill yourself as a temporary employee or as someone who is in it for the long haul? Some places may not want to hire you if they know you're just planning to work there for a year and then go back to grad school.
posted by craichead at 12:21 PM on June 4, 2009

Oh, and as for explaining it, I think you could say something like "although I really enjoyed studying X, it felt very abstract, and I wasn't sure how it related to the way things really work in the field. I've decided to take a leave of absence and get some practical experience in the field, so that I can approach my coursework with the benefit of some real-world perspective."
posted by craichead at 12:23 PM on June 4, 2009 [2 favorites]

In your resume, indicate that you are in a degree program at your University. Indicate the degree you will receive, then beside or underneath this reference add in parentheses (Anticipated 2011), or whatever is the right year. In your cover letter, you can explain that you are taking a year off...this way the information is conveyed and your resume looks as positive as possible.

If you are not including a cover letter with your resume, the parenthetical might read (On leave 2009-2010 academic year, graduation anticipated 2011), or something more succint. But I like option one better.
posted by hiteleven at 12:33 PM on June 4, 2009

Don't say anything about it in your resume. Let the interviewer ask you about it. I'd say that it's only in 50% of cases or less that they actually care.

If you are asked about it, make sure that you have an explanation prepared that makes you sound really good for having done it.
posted by Citrus at 12:56 PM on June 4, 2009

This is somewhat tangential, but I've heard that the worst thing people can see on a resume is gaps. Gaps as in, "even though I took a year off I did nothing." I hope you can find something you're enthused about, be it work, travel or volunteering, to do on your sabbatical. Good luck.
posted by ShadePlant at 12:58 PM on June 4, 2009

Plenty of people jump back and forth between school and work. So long as your grades are OK and your break isn't because of academic probation, no-one will care.
posted by randomstriker at 1:44 PM on June 4, 2009

I think your leave should be mentioned somewhere, be it on the resume or a cover letter. This just makes logical sense...why else would you be looking for a full-time job? Unless you omit your attendance altogether, which I think would be dishonest and damaging. If you don't explain the situation it will come out in the interview, and I don't think any employer likes surprises of that magnitude. There's no need to explain why you left, except to say you want to take the time to explore other opportunities.
posted by hiteleven at 3:36 PM on June 4, 2009