Job interviews and previous illness, what can I expect to be asked?

Jo_R_2

Hi all!

I got two letters this morning informing me I've been invited to two different interviews. As you can imagine I'm rather pleased!

Now, I posted a while ago about my predicament. I took quite a while off work during the last year I was employed due to depression, all in all about six months I think. I'm concerned about how this will look to a potential employer in two particular scenarios.

Employer one has sent with the interview letter a detailed Occupational Health questionnaire. One of the questions asks how many days I've had off in the last year due to ill health. I informed them when applying about my condition as they asked about any existing conditions.

Employer two simply sent an interview letter. I informed them again when applying of my condition, however at this point they haven't mentioned anything further.

Now, whilst I am reasonably confident about my ability to do the jobs themselves, how do I 'handle' each situation regarding my absence and illness? My condition is ongoing, I have seen a psychiatrist and will be seeing them again, and I want to be as honest as possible whilst presenting myself in the best possible light. I should know seeing as I worked with adults with disabilities and took them to job interviews, but what can I reasonably be expected to ask - if I remember rightly they can ask how my condition might affect my work and what I might do to avoid any negative effects but can they ask anything else? If employer two not having asked about my condition in the interview, then goes on to offer me the job, what might happen then? Sorry if this sounds a bit disjointed but I've only ever had two 'proper' jobs and I stayed in them for years so I'm anxious that I deal with this as best I can because I'm desperate to get back to work!

Horace

Firstly congratulations on getting some interviews.

I very much doubt that your condition will be mentioned at the interviews - they may ask you to see their occupational health peeps when you are offered the job.

Remember that these days depression is classed as a disability and no one can discriminate against you.

Try not to fret about it, if they didn't think you were any good they wouldn't have invited you to attend an interview which means that on paper they like what they see now they just want to see if you match up.

Good Luck

blossomcat

well done on getting interviews! can i ask is it in the health service? if it is they are presently a bit difficult with privious illness (im a nurse &worked in occi health )and off sick with depression myself at the moment.
Their concern will be, if you will take further time off short or long periods.Its always best to be totally honest with them and try to get a supporting letter from any doctors you are seeing. They used to interview then look at sickness levels but now they look at them first. I really dont want to sound like im being negitive , and i really hope you get the jobs you want, of course if its in industry then i have no idea.
I know myself hating where i work i dont stand a chance of getting a job elswhere in the hopital because of my sickness levels. I have to do sick reviews for my staff and hate doing it and always try and fight their corner.

Good luck,:) and are you in a union? they can advise you . Let us know what happens

Jo_R_2

Thanks guys. One of the jobs is actually an NHS one blossomcat, the other is a charity-based role. For the NHS one they haven't actually asked yet about any periods of absence, but if I understood the letter correctly, I fill in the OH form and it isn't opened unless I am offered the position - obviously dependent on satisfactory references and OH report.

What I don't know is how a situation involving long-term health issues is considered when thinking about whether to give a candidate a job or not. What sorts of things are they looking at when it comes to OH reports - periods of absence and whether short or long terms, nature of illness (or not?)

loobs40

Horace wrote: »

Remember that these days depression is classed as a disability and no one can discriminate against you.

absolutely. But how do you prove discrimination? They send you a letter saying that the calibre of applicants was very high and unfortunately you have not got the job. They are not going to say you haven't got the job because of a disability/sickness record.

My partner has had several of these letters recently. I suspect his disability (rheumatoid arthritis) has more to do with it, but we will never be able to prove it

blossomcat

hi.
what they used to do was offer the job then go to the health delation letter, now they read it before the interview. if successful .they then send you to occi health , nurse or doctor, and await what they decide.If you hsvr brrn employed and lost a lot of time due to sickness , thats not a very good sign for them. i agree that is harsh, what they want is some one who can do the job without a percived problem that they be off sick all the time. As i said before , get some good letters from your doctors , to back up your application. And good luck!!

blossomcat

hi.
what they used to do was offer the job then go to the health delation letter, now they read it before the interview. if successful .they then send you to occi health , nurse or doctor, and await what they decide.If you have been employed and lost a lot of time due to sickness , thats not a very good sign for them. i agree that is harsh, what they want is some one who can do the job without a percived problem that they be off sick all the time. As i said before , get some good letters from your doctors , to back up your application.They will ask you if you will be able to cope with stress, you must be very possitive!And also honest because the form will say you give them permission to contact your doctor

And good luck!!:beer: