[unsure35]

Just a little about myself I'm 37, been on Social Security for 9 years now for biploar, depression. Employed here and there. My employment history hasn't been the best because of my illness. After getting my illness a little more under control with meds and therapy. I decided that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life on social security. I just enrolled in a community college for a program that helps people find social services and financial help ( I know hard this journey can be). The problem I'm having is finding a part-time job in the new town I moved to. I injured my back a couple of years ago and after trying PT and other pain managment techniques the doctor pretty much told me that having a job with physical demands is out of the question for me

My work history isn't the best because of my illness, so when I go out for a interview the employer is curious as to what I was doing during that time.I don't know what to say. Do I try to be somewhat honest and say that I have a illness? Do I say that I had back problems? Both of which are things potential employers don't want to hear.Someone once told me to be vague how do I do that? Other than doing a little volunteer work I haven't been working for the last two years because I couldn't find a paying job because of my back.(It's also a really small town, which doesn't help either).

I had a interview for a job last week that would not bother my back and was kind of the same as to what I'm going to go to school for. It was even a non-profit that helps people down on their luck. I thought the interview went good but I got the rejection letter the next day. I know that my work history is a factor for these rejections (at least it doesn't help). Or maybe they are expecting somebody younger. I'm planning on doing some volunteer work in the new city so hopefully that helps. I think I'm doing better in life managing my illness, planning for school, trying to be a help to society instead of a burden. I've been to career counselors that gave advice on interviews, resumes etc but nothing seemed to help. I know my situation is a little "unique" but I can't seem to find a way to address this problem. Any ideas? Thanks

Hopefully I didn't babble on to much

[splitimage]

This is an unfortunate reality for many of us with mental health problems. Gaps on a resume can be a killer. I have a couple of one year gaps on my resume. When employers ask me about them I just say I was helping my family with eldercare responsibilities. I'm at the right age, to have aging parents that need care.

Come up with a story that you are comfortable saying, and can say with confidence. I wouldn't mention an illness.

--splitimage

Because the economy has been so weak for so long, it is also possible to say that you just could not find employment. There are many people who have been unemployed for years.

[Perna]

I have always mentioned my school work on my resume/applications and that I was involved in continuing ed (and have looked for jobs at schools/universities; they often have openings that work well) and, in your case, I would add that I was doing that rehabilitating myself after some illness/health issues.

[equive]

I'm sorry you got a rejection letter the next day for a job interview that you thought went well. That happens to me a lot too and it's incredibly disheartening. You just can't let it discourage you. It might be that your interview went really well and you had all of the characteristics they were looking for even, but that there was someone else more qualified, with a longer work history, or who got hired internally, or who knew someone at the company or even the interviewer...There are so, so many factors.

I have some gaps in my work history currently due to struggling with mental illness and addiction issues for the past couple years. Obviously I don't want to tell my employers about the addiction issues, at the very least. I have been telling some employers that I was living with my boyfriend, who was in the military...Since I live close to an Air Force Base and I am relatively young, nobody really questions this story, even though it's not true. I have also said taking time off to care for sick family members. I have stretched the time I spent employed at jobs on applications, too, although I feel guilty doing this...

I don't know if any of that is helpful advice, but I just wanted to comment that you're not alone and I - and probably a lot of us - we're all in the same boat. Good luck and keep trying! I think volunteering is a great idea in the meantime, because you can always find those opportunities and then add them on your resume, and I think I will look into that myself.

[ladytiger]

oooh that is tough. there is a way to answer that question and go around it without revealing a lot of info on your health issues. at the workshops, i forgot how the trainer put it but the way he put it was very good. if you tell employers about all of your health issues, it raises a red flag for them because they see as a unhealthy person who can't keep a job nor do they want to spend all that money on you to keep you healthy.

be careful mentioning about health issues and gaps in your employment when answering that question in the interview.

[MariaJoseph]

Sorry to hear about your rejection letter...it's a rough job market out there unfortunately. I work in HR so hopefully I can give you a different perspective on helping to bridge some of the gaps on your work history.

First, realize that a lot of people are going to have a spotty job history in the past couple of years in the job market. With that being said, there are surely things that you have done during the times you were not employed for pay--focused on being a full-time homemaker? Volunteering? Helping older relatives? Perhaps all of those? I would definitely use those to fill in the gaps; the majority of HR people are relatively narrow-minded and think that everyone has to do "something".

As far as mentioning illness of any kind, I would personally avoid it. The law does not require you to disclose it during the interview process--the only time you would need to disclose a limitation would be post-offer for a reasonable accommodation. An example of this might be if you needed an extra break in the day to get up and walk around due to restrictions on extended sitting due to back problems. If the company you are interviewing with asks outright if you were ill during those times you were not working, this is not a legal interview question and is a violation of HIPAA laws. Of course, with jobs as scarce as they are, the diplomatic thing to do is to smile and talk about volunteer work

It's depressing to me as an HR professional that there is still such a stigma about hiring individuals who are working through a physical or psychological recovery. I personally do this training (on mental health awareness) frequently at work and at my HR-related trade organizations, so I'm thinking there might be hope yet.

I wish you the best of luck in finding a good job, and if you want any help with interview questions, interview prep, resume...etc., just PM me.

[unsure35]

It's been a long time since the original posting so I thought I give a update. I finally found a part time job at a non profit that helps people with disabilities and also worked with school schedule in August 2012 I graduated with AAS degree in July 2013.I was really getting discouraged because I went countless interviews(14 interviews, and 27 rejection letters, over 1,000 miles on my car for driving to interviews if you want the numbers). I finally got a offer and I start next Monday. I just wanted to tell people that are having a tough time finding a job to hang in there and keep trying!

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by unguy

Because the economy has been so weak for so long, it is also possible to say that you just could not find employment. There are many people who have been unemployed for years.

If only employers would keep this in mind, and not bury their heads in the sand. Or somewhere else.......