The short vacations we have in the U.S. are pretty pathetic, and most people don’t even take those. You barely have time to decompress, unwind, and relax before it is all over, and you’re back in the office again.

Months off are what you need to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones and think about what you really want out of your career and life. But when will you ever get that chance?

Taking a break between jobs is a rare opportunity to claim that time. You can intentionally delay your job search to take an extended vacation before diving back into the working world. Or, if you’ve already landed a job offer, you can delay your start date.

You’re totally free of the demands of your old job, and none of the work for your new job has started yet. There’s only one problem. Most new employers want you to start work right away. They may tolerate a short break — if you’re lucky.