Time for a holiday?

Dresdner Kleinwort's new head of UK M&A took a year out before moving into his new role. How advisable is it for you do the same?

Not very, say recruiters. Unless you're a) incredibly senior, or b) incredibly unconcerned about your career, spending 12 months lying on a beach is unlikely to do you any favours.

"At analyst level you don't want to take any time out at all," says Logan Naidu, a consultant at search firm Cornell Partnership. "A VP or associate might want to take six months out, but I wouldn't recommend anything longer than that at all."

According to Naidu, the best candidates are those who've resisted the urge to recharge their batteries with anything more than the standard two-week holiday in the sun (or elsewhere) - recruiters tend to question the motivation and commitment of people who've taken time off.

Senior staff, like DKW's John McIntyre, who spent a year out of the market after leaving Lehman, are most able to take more than a year out as their relationships are most entrenched, says Naidu.

Jean Facon, a consultant at headhunter Christopher Beale Associates, agrees: "When you're younger there's less need to take time out and you're going to have to be pretty persuasive to get back in. At the senior level it's more understood, but the opportunity costs can be huge."

Despite the inadvisability of a gap year, Naidu says more and more bankers are taking one. But if you're one of those revving up to wind down he suggests waiting a little while longer: "Right now, markets are at their peak - enjoy it while you can. You can take time out when you're fired in the next downturn."