Best way to deal with recent 2-year gap on CV due to mental health?

MmmMeat

I have a 2 year and 1 month gap on my CV, having left my previous job in early-2015 for health reasons (severe depression and anxiety which I had suffered from for over a year prior to leaving my job). After a combination of medication, therapy and two separate hospital stays I am happy to say I am fully "back to my normal self" - it took the best part of 18 months to get there.

Prior to leaving I was enjoying my career and had recently taken a promotion having been with the same company for nine years. I'd like to get back into that same career, but understand having not worked for 2 years that may be a problem in several ways.

Following my recovery, I've since moved away from where I used to live and work in the south and have moved up north with family until I get back on my feet. The company I used to work for only have offices in London, and it's impractical for me to relocate and return there.

My main problem is obviously, the two year gap on my CV. I need to account for the 2+ year gap of unemployment, but have a feeling putting that I was off work for health reasons and mentioning it was mental health related might not be the best course of action, and they may perceive I'm unstable or something (which, needless to say, I'm not!).

What is the best course of action going forward with this?

Many thanks, in advance.

TELLIT01

How about something along the lines of 'Sabbatical for person reasons which I would be happy to discuss more fully at interview'

bugslet

As above and then at the interview, don't lie.

Samiire

No advice, but just wanted to say 'good on you' for getting the help you needed! Your inner strength will be an asset when you get back working!

Piscean1991

I would agree with being vague-ish on your application and then being honest at interview.

I think it's important that, while being honest, you really stress that you are incredibly resilient and you have invested your time out of work wisely in ensuring that you can contribute to your industry in a worthwhile way by making sure that you're fully recovered.

I've suffered with depression in the past myself to the point I ended up in a mental health unit as an inpatient. Like you, I am 'back to my normal self' and have been for many years. I do occasionally dip (especially when big changes are afoot) but my time out really helped me learn to manage that condition in a way that enables me to live a normal life. I think what I'm trying to say is that despite mental health problems being awful to deal with and often being misunderstood by employers, there are actually a lot of things you can be positive about and a lot of qualities that it demonstrates.

You are probably very reflective and strive to be the best you can be, you are presumably resilient because you've taken on your own mind and won and you are clearly going to be committed to the role and making sure you bring your best self to it. There is nothing unstable about recognising your mental health needs and doing something about them. It was the responsible thing to do and there is no shame in it.

MmmMeat

Piscean1991 wrote: »

I would agree with being vague-ish on your application and then being honest at interview.

I think it's important that, while being honest, you really stress that you are incredibly resilient and you have invested your time out of work wisely in ensuring that you can contribute to your industry in a worthwhile way by making sure that you're fully recovered.

I've suffered with depression in the past myself to the point I ended up in a mental health unit as an inpatient. Like you, I am 'back to my normal self' and have been for many years. I do occasionally dip (especially when big changes are afoot) but my time out really helped me learn to manage that condition in a way that enables me to live a normal life. I think what I'm trying to say is that despite mental health problems being awful to deal with and often being misunderstood by employers, there are actually a lot of things you can be positive about and a lot of qualities that it demonstrates.

You are probably very reflective and strive to be the best you can be, you are presumably resilient because you've taken on your own mind and won and you are clearly going to be committed to the role and making sure you bring your best self to it. There is nothing unstable about recognising your mental health needs and doing something about them. It was the responsible thing to do and there is no shame in it.

Thank you for your reply.

Everything you have said makes sense to me, it's just whether a potential employer interviewing me will be as understanding. I know that employers aren't meant to discriminate on mental health, but if they are interviewing me and other equally qualified candidates, and I mention I've been out of work due to depression and anxiety, I feel subconsciously they will prefer the other candidates as they would potentially be less baggage. Obviously they wouldn't tell me that was the reason I wasn't given the job, but they don't need to provide a reason.

MmmMeat

TELLIT01 wrote: »

How about something along the lines of 'Sabbatical for person reasons which I would be happy to discuss more fully at interview'

That just sounds suspicious (to me, anyway). If I was an employer reading a CV and read something like that I would automatically be thinking negatively about what that person had been doing for two years.

DomRavioli

MmmMeat wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

Everything you have said makes sense to me, it's just whether a potential employer interviewing me will be as understanding. I know that employers aren't meant to discriminate on mental health, but if they are interviewing me and other equally qualified candidates, and I mention I've been out of work due to depression and anxiety, I feel subconsciously they will prefer the other candidates as they would potentially be less baggage. Obviously they wouldn't tell me that was the reason I wasn't given the job, but they don't need to provide a reason.

Look for employers with the Two Ticks - they are usually far better equipped even though you have recovered, in dealing with past medical issues. And don't try and pre-empt what employers may or may not think - I have hired people when in the same situation as above, and one of the reasons being they have had previous issues, because they show more resilience, and also know how to spot when they are getting sick (both very useful in the workplace).

MmmMeat

Still not 100% on what I should be writing to cover the past two plus years without putting off employers.

At the moment, my CV has me working full-time for the same company between 2006 and 2015, and then a mysterious two year gap until present.

Is there a way I can cover this period that won't be dishonest and won't put off employers? Have to admit, I think it's the whole stigma around mental health that has me concerned. If I had suffered any other kind of medical issue, I just feel it would be easier to explain and would be more accepted.

pmlindyloo

MmmMeat wrote: »

Still not 100% on what I should be writing to cover the past two plus years without putting off employers.

At the moment, my CV has me working full-time for the same company between 2006 and 2015, and then a mysterious two year gap until present.

Is there a way I can cover this period that won't be dishonest and won't put off employers? Have to admit, I think it's the whole stigma around mental health that has me concerned. If I had suffered any other kind of medical issue, I just feel it would be easier to explain and would be more accepted.

My suggestion would be 'a medical issue, now resolved'.

There are only certain health related questions that an employer is allowed to ask at an interview.

Have a look here:

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5564

flightboy

Just say it was a medical issue that is now resolved as suggested. I interview a lot of people for my position and have hired someone who was off for a mental health issue for almost 3 years but she said that she was confident it was now behind her and she wanted to get back into work

The fact she took the time to explain it and had nothing to hide actually impressed me as did her confidence and willingness to get back into work

4 months on shes maybe the best worker we have and i have adapted the workload schedule just a little to not let her get over stressed when we are super busy. In the modern world i dont think many employers would hold a mental heath issue against anyone anymore than a physical one

Good luck with the job hunt!