Advice needed - going back to work after 3 yrs unemployed

[OkieDokie]

Hi guys,

Just looking for some advice on how I can explain to potential employers why I haven't worked for three years? The real reason obviously comes down to severe depression and social anxiety, but I can't really say that... I'm doing my masters at the moment but I need a break from studying (plus I've depleted my financial reserves and am ineligible for social security benefits cos I'm postgrad ) and would like to try and find a fulltime job. I also feel that simply saying 'I've been studying fulltime' isn't a good enough excuse cos everyone else can study and hold down a job at the same time. Hopefully I can get something, every couple of months I try to look for work but keep getting knocked back and just get so disheartened Anyways, any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated .

Cheers,

Kimmy

[mikey]

I think you should tell them the truth. Most employers would, I think, respect your honesty. Besides, if you should get ill again and need time off work then the fact that they are aware of your problems beforehand will mean they are more understanding. They might even be able to put things in place that will help you. I know it's scary. I'll be in a similar situation myself soon (having to apply for jobs and having to declare the fact that I'm bipolar), so I do understand your fear that they won't employ you because of your mental health problems, but at the end of the day that's discrimination and is illegal!

[You! Me! Dancing!]

I agree with mikey - it's best to be honest from the start.

You could always put a bit of positive spin on it and say 'I have depression and felt that I couldn't cope with full time studying and work too, so I took a few years off working to better focus on my studies, now that I'm in a better place I would like to get back to work too.'

I have a friend who has Crohn's disease and took 6 months off to sort herself out, she had to explain at job interviews that the gap in her CV was because she wanted to make sure she was well enough to commit to a job - which I think would sound to an employer like a very sensible thing to do.

[TheGiantPanda]

Hey i've recently just got back into work after 5 years unemployed due to depression and anxiety, i had many interviews and knock backs, most of the time i didn't even get an interview, but, i kept trying. I'm doing shelf stacking now as a way to get my foot back in the door, not what i want to doing but it's a start.

I was completley honest in my interview, i had said i been off ill, and i am desperate to get back into work, i don't want to be on benefits, i want to work and earn my own money it';s just nobody will give me a chance. After 3 agonising weeks later i got a message to say i got the job. He did tell me however the personell manager didn't want me to start because of my history of depression!!! what a bitch!!! it was the guy who interviewed me who kept pushing her to give me a chance and prove myself, so unfortunately discrimination does exist.

My advice would be honest, if you lie about depression on the form/interview and you become ill at work you have no back up kind of thing if you know what i mean. I wish you all the best, it's not easy but just keep trying and you will get something, even if it;s not what you want to be doing but it's a start.

[not_so_insig]

I agree with the above, just be honest. In these times, there are tons of people still looking for jobs, so be prepared for knockbacks.

Also, if you think you can manage, why not try volunteering? Dependant on what type of voluntary work you get, it could potentially be work experience in your chosen job sector. Also if you are there a long time (6 months +) it could provide you with a recent reference and prove to your employer what a potential asset you could be.

Also voluntary work looks more favourable on your CV, and could put you in a better position than other candidates who have spent the last 3 years sitting on their behind all day (and have been healthy enough to work, not like people have been genuinely too ill to work).

[OkieDokie]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll try it and see what happens, but to be honest I think it will make it even harder for me to find work. I've missed out on jobs for being over and underqualified, not attractive enough and god knows what else. People shouldn't discriminate but the reality is that they do, and also I kinda feel like my mental health is a private thing and is therefore none of their business. I feel like that information is something I would only tell my boss if I got sick and needed time off, because by then they would know me and know that I'm a good employee, etc. The job market's pretty tough atm and employers have a lot of applicants to wade through, I'm just concerned that they'll see that I have mental problems and immediately cross me off the list. But as I said, I will give it a go :)