The Philosophers' Cocoon

In response to our most recent "how we can we help you?" post, Nate asks:

I have a question about alt-ac jobs. I'm not sure at this point that I want to leave academia, but I've come across a non-academic job opportunity that I think could be both enjoyable and rewarding for me. This year was my first year post-ph.d. on the academic market. I didn't land a position, but I had seven interviews (which I'm given to understand is pretty good in this climate). I've got an above-average publication record, and I'm somewhat confident that I can land a TT job in the next few years.

So, my question is this: how difficult is it to return to academia after leaving? That is, if I pursue this other opportunity will I be a viable candidate for academic positions if I decide after a few years that I want to go on the academic market, or is leaving academia for even a short time a death knell for one's academic career?

I'm curious what readers think–particularly those in a position of experience (i.e. both search committee members, as well as individuals who went back on the job-market after taking an alt-ac job). I'm inclined to think that time out of academic is a "death knell" depends in part on what you do with that time. If you spend time in an alt-ac job but find a way to publish in good journals, then I don't see any reason why search committees wouldn't at least take your candidacy seriously. Still, I have three concerns.

The first concern is that it may be very hard to find the time or motivation to publish effectively while in an alt-ac job. Still, since I've known people who have accomplished this, it's not my most serious concern. A second, more serious concern I have is that time out of academic might make it more difficult to get a job at a teaching-oriented institution–as I think some of the best ways to be competitive for such jobs is to get more experience teaching. Finally, I cannot help but wonder whether time in an alt-ac job might hurt one's chances for research jobs, as competitiveness for jobs at research schools are plausibly at least in part a function of a candidate's perceived "prestige", and time in an alt-ac job might look to search committee members as not having the kind of "upward trajectory" they might be looking for in a candidate.

Still, this is mostly speculation on my part. What do you all think, particularly those in positions of experience?