Been offered a job that I want but I want to go backpacking for a couple of months? [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 3 years ago

I have been offered the same job which I used to work at my previous workplace. I'm currently unemployed as I left a different job at the same company because it wasnt for me and I had applied to my old job whilst I was working that position.

Throughout this time I have decided I want to go backpacking, and I already have one month planned for it.

I was told today that I got my old job back which is part time. I told my interviewer/supervisor that I have holidays booked and she said its fine as I just need to tell HR when they approach me about my start date and let them know. I think they will be okay with 1 month if I use as holidays. But I kind of wondered if I could tell them I have planned 6 months off for travelling? I would like some advice on this please. I enjoy the job but I am also passionate about backpacking and I am just stuck in the middle on what is acceptable and reasonable.

Thanks all.

Edit: Thanks for the feedback everyone. I understand that 6 months is very likely to be too long for the employer. I wondered if 3 months would sound more reasonable? By the way the job is a very basic cleaning job and its not like a priority job.

manpreet 3 years ago

You can always tell them and ask if it's a problem, but 6 months is a long time for anyone to wait. It's very likely that the company will retract the offer and tell you to reapply when you get back.

They will almost certainly need someone to fill in you if you won't be in for 6 months, and at that point they might as well keep that person on. After all; a lot can happen in 6 months, you might be a totally changed person when you come back. (That is the goal of 6 months backpacking, is it not?)