What to write on my resume?

[The_Possum]

Hi everyone

I wasn't sure where to post this so I hope people will see this, read it and hopefully provide some advice.

I've taken approx 14months off work predominantly due to mental health issues.

There's now a job I'm really interested in and although I'm feeling anxious about it, my family, psych and GP are encouraging me to make a new resume and apply. I don't even know if I'd get an interview or the role but in any case they think it would be good for me just to bite the bullet and take the first step.

So I'm going to do it. But how best to approach this and explain the gap on my otherwise 12 year continuous history?

Any suggestions appreciated?

[Bluererer]

Hi there Possum great that you are taking that step! You can decide whether to be upfront about your mental health and in an ideal world that would be the best option. Some people recommend that you take this course if you think the workplace is a supportive one and they allow some leeway.

However if you don't know how they will take it you could just tell them you left your last job for personal reasons and took a year off and leave it at that. There is really nothing wrong with that and given you have an otherwise stable work history it shouldn't hurt your chances.

For others who might be reading, I have a couple of gaps in my work history which I am sometimes a little creative with just to get me over the line. If you decide to and you have children or a partner you can just say you were taking a break and put home duties. When I was unable to work regularly I sometimes did temp work and small jobs and traded online and it did look a little more substantial on paper and I just spread the time line a bit. I also legitimately did travel but again I spread it over a year rather than a few weeks. I also had a couple periods of long term employment so it doesn't seem to have affected my employment chances (sadly now my age does seem to be a factor)

Anyway Possum good luck with your new venture and stay well!

[geoff]

hello The Possum, a very reply from Bluererer, and the worry is the gap, but if you continue to worry then it's going to be a huge problem.
What I would like to know is how was your employer knowing that you had MI, were they acceptable or was it a point of conjecture, never the less are you able to get a written reference from them and if so this will make you feel much easier, also do you have other references to adjoin with your application.
Tell them that you haven't found your niche in life and hoping that this new position will finally be the one you have always wanted, and if they want to hire you then there won't be any problems.
Go for it, feel confident and know that you would be highly capable in filling this position, because now you are feeling better, and to even apply means you are on the road to a better life, we wish you the best, and please let us know. Geoff.

[The_Possum]

Thanks Geoff and Blue rear for you replies.

I haven't told any employer about my mental health condition as it wasn't an issue at the time of employment.

I resigned from my last role due to bullying and my 3 year old was very ill with a chronic condition. So I decided the stress was too much and I needed a break.

Little did I know that the stress triggered depression, anxiety and later diagnosed bipolar. So my intended break for a few months became 14months.

I then decided whilst off work that management was too stressful for this stage of my life, especially with caring for a sick child. So it's not something I want to go back to even though it's what I'm most skilled at and have education and experience in.

I decided teaching business subjects at VET colleges and university would be something I'd like to do as it's imparting my knowledge to other students and would be less stressful and less working hours. I completed cert iv in training and assessment whilst been diagnosed bipolar (I pretty much completed the entire course during manic periods of little sleep before each depression crash).

So this is a whole new domain work wise. I do have references although I'm reluctant to use the reference from my last employment due to bullying issues.

I feel quite anxious about the whole thing really, but a the same time I feel that it might be good for me as my condition is fairly well under control with medication and psychological help. I still get periods of some mild depression mainly triggered by unavoidable life stresses (I have a mum just diagnosed terminal cancer which has upset me a lot).

Anyway I'll give it a go and might just explain it as career break to change paths and direction.

Thanks x

[geoff]

hi The Possum, thanks for replying back to us, and I'm really sorry about the bullying, I felt as though this would be the case, but if this application ask you what you did over this period, tell them up front, that you were bullied, and that your son was very ill, there is nothing to be ashamed of, it's a perfect reason why and they would surely understand.
Go for it and I hope you still will. Geoff.

[kbkman]

I know someone who was hospitalised due to mental health and subsequently had a similar gap in their resume... I believe they went with no explanation at all, and in interviews they were not asked about it. They were just as stressed but it turned out to be unfounded and they landed a role.

I think gaps are more common that you might imagine. Think about how many people go travelling for example.

I think if I was in that position I'd be candid and discuss the way things kind of compounded and you ended up with mental illness. If you have steady and accomplished work before this period, I think only a real ****hole would hold it against you, in which case you wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

[The_Possum]

Thanks heaps!

I think I'm more worried than I need to be!

Thanks for your input too x

[Ben1]

Hey Possum,

I think there is not too much reason to worry, even though your anxiety about the situation is completely understandable. Many people take leave from work for extended periods of time for a variety of reasons! I'm sure you will be completely fine and hopefully find yourself in a supportive and understanding workplace in regard to your mental health.

[The_Possum]

Cheers Ben1 x

[Quercus]

Hi Possum,

Just wondering did you end up applying for the job?

How did it all go? I am curious to know as am in the stages of preparing myself for a change 😊.

Some days I wish I had the gap in my resume because at least I could ask for a reference based on their opinion of me at work pre depression rather than how I am now.

Ah well. I hope it all went well for you.