h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am applying for jobs at the moment. I am in employment, but want to move. On application forms I am getting stuck on the line that says "Number of days off sick in last 12 months". The truth is I had huge work and personal pressures last year, and ended up having a month off work for stress related illness. I am working on ways in which to write this on an application whilst making it sound completely understandable and normal, and that I'm actually an all-round employable person. If I get really good, I might even be able to turn it around to my advantage somehow - eg 'it has given me a new perspective on life' which is true to an extent. Any ideas?

Try and find a hypertechnical name for the stress related illness that doesn't sound like it's psychiatric problem, and state that it's unlikely to recur.

The way to turn it to your advantage is to use it as an American with Disabilty Act thing. If they don't hire them you get a million dollar frivilous law suit going.

Make it seem much more cosmopolitan and intellectual and follow the example of academia. Call it a "sabbatical"!

Two Bit -- it doesn't sounds like this guy is an American, so the ADA wouldn't hold much water... Actually, I'm pretty sure it would be illegal to ask that question on an American job application.

Mikey

Really? It must appear on >50% of UK job applications, and/or a release request to view your medical records.

That just means a clever attorney hasn't figured a way for British subjects to sue Bristish companies in American courts. Now that someone has suggested that it could be done, it just a matter of time before they do it.

Sort of like Kennedy suggesting moon landings. Even now, a team of clever lawyers are working on a solution.

JHP - I would suggest that you use as few words as possible in refering to the problem. Lengthy explanations will only draw attention to this area of the application. Emphasise the positives in other areas of the application.

I'm speaking as someone who has reviewed many job applications.

The good news is that many other applicants will have bigger problems than you.

Good luck.

176645

I'm also someone who has reviewed a lot of applications, but I would go a little farther. Fill in the 'days off and why' bit honestly and then in a covering letter, put a simple practical explanation (no vitriol) and follow straight up with a really positive spin on what you have done since/planning to do.

Don't go on about it, and don't seem to blame past employees/partners or whatever.

On a number of occasions, it's been the ability of someone to cope positively with a past problem that has made them shine out as a strong candidate - good luck!

I was off work for three months with a stress-related illness a few years ago, and have only found it a problem now when trying to get a new life assurance policy at a reasonable rate. If you must put details on the application form, don't say much. Count the time off in *working* days, not weeks or months. 20 days out of a year, for instance, sounds much better than a month or 4 weeks. Don't go into lots of detail about why or how it's made you a better person: without putting too fine a point on it most people reading it would think 'what a pile of ****' If you don't want to say 'Stress and depression', focus on one of the accompanying symptoms and call it something else. Be matter-of-fact and you'll be much more credible. And good luck!

i'd lie - they can't tell just by looking at you

since it's only a month it's hard to put a creative spin on it, but maybe you could call it a holiday, work on the house etc?

if you mention it i'd try make it sound planned (i decided to take time out and get proffesional careers guidance / focus on my career / re-evaluate my priorities) rather than forced (i was finally caught by a medical orderly with a tranquiliser gun )

although i think it's best not to mention it at all and fall back on one of the above if challenged. being honest rarely works at interviews in my experience.

but you may find a wonderfully sympathetic boss (rumours suggest they're not completely extinct)

Is it reasonable to just say 'personal reasons' and the number of missed work days and leave it at that? That allows for a wide range of possible interpretations, and if the interviewer is genuinely interested he or she can always ask for further clarification.

'Personal Reasons' is good (nice one MoG).

If asked to elaborate why not say that you spent time dealing with whatever they were.

For example my ex took several months off in '99 as a result of working himself to the point of having severe anxiety attacks (at one point he was in a cardio ward). If he needed to justify the time off he could say he was 'helping his wife with her business' - which I have to admit did contribute to his anxiety.

And I took time off this year less dramatically because my mother died, so of course I was 'dealing with the arrangements following her death'.

And yes - things like this ARE life-changing (or should be) and OF COURSE you learn stuff from them.

The other thing I discovered when my ex was ill is just how many people this happens to. It seems to have happened to most of my sanest friends. The mind and the body have myriad defence mechanisms, and will just say 'stop' if things get too much. Trust the wisdom of the process.

***B

"The mind and the body have myriad defence mechanisms, and will just say 'stop' if things get too much. Trust the wisdom of the process."

Just about the wisest thing I've ever heard, Ben.

Being out of work after a stressful or depressing time, willpower and self-esteem is weak, and as the gap increases, return to work seems more of an insurmountable obstacle; which in itself is stressful, and depressing.

The fact that this is all just a matter of body and mind struggling to cope takes away the lack of worth, and the fear.

Thank you.

kidkitsch (gradually getting out of the rut)

Oh and good luck, JHP

for kidkitsch
***B

Thankyou all. After posting I realised I intended to put this on the "How do I" forum, but no-one spotted that! I have gone along the lines suggested by Cloviscat - honesty and a covering letter. Lying, though tempting, will be of little use in the long term. The prospective employer has the right to contact my GP and then they'll know I'm a liar on top of everything. Even if I got the job I could have my contract subsequently nullified.

Thanks everyone. Application in post Monday.

Fingers crossed!
***B

Good luck! Will there be an interview stage if they accept the application?

Yes.

If I don't get an interview I will ask for some constructive feedback. I did this once a few years ago, and the employer concerned was impressed by my interest. They changed their minds and offered me an interview after all. I got the job!!

Cool

I had the same problem as you - applying for a job after a long period off sick for mental type reasons - but explained that in the interview (I got the job) and the employer was most eager to be helpful in that respect.

One tip might be to explain it in the interview, and if they're concerned that you'll drop out of the job, take ages off sick or be inefficient, then suggest that they employ you for a trial period of a couple of months or something.

In general, if you're honest and open about the whole thing, and eager about the job, then they'll generally be impressed rather than put off.

Good luck