"I lost my job as a junior finance litigator a few months ago. Since then I have been looking for work, but I have still not been able to find a new role.

"I am now thinking about taking a year out to do either a Masters or voluntary work overseas. However, as I only have one year's PQE, part of me thinks that I should continue looking for work and gain more experience in commercial law before taking a 'career break'.

"I am conscious that if I do take a year out, by the time I return to the job market I would not have worked for about 18 months, and this may make it more difficult to find a job, particularly if I decide to stay in commercial law. Would it be better for me to continue job hunting, and save my 'career break' plans for the future?"

Click on 'Comment' below to post your advice in confidence. And remember, Career Clinic is only as good as the questions we receive, so email your career conundrums to [email protected].

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