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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mental health issues - what to say on CV

61 replies

Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 14:14

A friends had six months signed off from her job for depression / anxiety resulting from a stressful work situation. (In effect she had a breakdown and was really unwell) After that time she resigned and has had two years not working - one year roughly spent ‘regrouping’ - putting her life back together, and the second year doing some volunteering work (organising donations for a school uniform bank).

I’m massively proud of how far she has come and I’m really pleased that she feels ready to work again but:

I think on her CV she should just say she took time off work to spend time with her family, i.e. December 2016 to December 2017 - Spent time caring for my children

and then treat her volunteering work like a job on her CV (not claim she was paid, but list her achievements there in the main body of the CV). I think the reality of what happened at her last job could then be discussed at interview.

She thinks she should be up front I.e

December 2016 to December 2017 - Spent time recovering from mental illness

Because that’s what another friend of ours who had cancer did. (I.e ‘spent time recovering from cancer)

I’m worried that hiring managers won’t take her application further and will only see ‘mental health issues’ on her CV, she doesn’t want to lie / be untruthful. She was looking after her kids during that time - being able to do school pick ups etc was really great for her.

Who is BU? (And if you have been in this position, or employed someone with a history of mental health issues any advice?)

OP posts:
AleFailTrail · 26/11/2018 14:15

Following. I have a very similar problem I’m dealing with.

recklessruby · 26/11/2018 14:21

Sadly I think you are right. She should just go with time out to care for children. Mental health shouldn't be discriminated against but it is. She won't be able to prove they didnt hire her for this.
I don't disclose anything if I can avoid it.

Original poster
Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 14:21

I think the most difficult thing is I think she is awesome- being able to build yourself back up from such a low point shows such strength and determination which I think are really an asset to an employer - but will predjudice mean they don’t get to find that out?

OP posts:
alltoomuchrightnow · 26/11/2018 14:24

It's hard as they do discriminate. Apart from volunteering, I had two years off following a breakdown from leaving DV.
Re my CV.. I spread the dates out as much as I could (ie put years rather than months) If questioned in an interview I would say I had to go and look after my ageing parents (I don't have children) A white lie but I did stay with them for a bit, father is ageing. Don't like lying but they do judge and you have to do what you have to do. I have had several jobs since then though so it worked

Original poster
Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 14:27

Good to hear that it worked for you alltoomuch- thanking for sharing

OP posts:
itsnowthewaitinggame · 26/11/2018 14:28

I would say it would be best to go with family commitments. Sadly I, too, think mental health issues are still discriminated against.
Family commitments covers a multitude of things that can effect every person, the care of pre school age children, a child with extra needs or an ageing parent

Lineofbeauty · 26/11/2018 14:29

I would definitely 100% lie and say time off caring for children. Unless... and this is a biggie... your work is likely to be one of the ones that requires you to disclose significant illnesses. Mine did but that was quite some time ago now and maybe that sort of thing isn't permitted any more...

StepAwayFromGoogle · 26/11/2018 14:29

Absolutely don't put it on a CV and don't mention it at interview. Employers do not want to know that someone took 6 months off for stress at work. There are no guarantees for them that she won't come under stress in the job she is interviewing for and need 6 months off again. And then a year to build herself up again.
I speak as someone with a history of anxiety and depression but I never disclose that history to employers. It would be lovely if people were kinder and more sympathetic to mental illness in a work environment but they really aren't.

TheChickenOfTruth · 26/11/2018 14:31

"Career break"

"Took time off to focus on my health and my family and to volunteer for causes close to my heart. Personal development areas included: X, Y and Z."

EssentialHummus · 26/11/2018 14:33

I write CVs for a living and would go with family commitments. (Sorry for short answer, on mobile.)

TwllBach · 26/11/2018 14:34

I had horrible mental health problems about 6 months after DS was born. Suicidal ideation, huge depression, anxiety, the works. I returned to my professional job after maternity leave but almost immediately had to be signed off sick before finally resigning about eight months later. Five months after that I took a part time job somewhere that I had worked before that didn't need references and have been working there since.

I am concerned about applying for jobs within my previous profession when I feel ready. I don't know whether they are allowed to ask about sick leave? I am happy to say that I resigned to spend more time with my young family but if directly questioned about sick leave I might be tempted to lie and plame it on post natal depression, which it wasn't, but feels like it might be more acceptable to employers than straight up depression somehow.

Well done to your friend for building herself back up. I'm nearly there but not quite, so know how hard she has worked... but I do think she is being a little naive by hoping to be honest about her mental health and not be discriminated against.

TwllBach · 26/11/2018 14:34

Plame? Blame!

Original poster
Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 14:59

This is really helpful, thank you!

OP posts:
Undercoverbanana · 26/11/2018 15:05

But what about people whose children are adults? They can’t say this. Should I make up a sickly, elderly parent?

I had to be honest. Aspects of my old job had become triggers for my anxiety and I would break things, collapse and eventually pass out. Some of the people were so judgemental and bitchy that they became triggers too. I had extreme paranoia and had to leave for my mental health.

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 26/11/2018 15:11

OP, has your friend actually asked you for advice? If yes, I'd agree with advice from PP to refer to family commitments. If not, I think you should back off and let your friend decide what to do

Cherries101 · 26/11/2018 15:11

Travelling or caring.

EmeraldShamrock · 26/11/2018 15:14

On the c.v I would fill in family time, though at the interview I think it is fine tbh. A new guy started in my job. He and I used to work in a company with similar back grounds bookmaker online bets etc. He openly told me he had time off for break from the stress, eventually had a breakdown and took a year after to recoup. I was thinking well fair play to you. He said he was open in the interview, how he had given the job 10 years and the emotional toll it took on him.

RoboticSealpup · 26/11/2018 15:15

She should not be upfront about this. Employers discriminate against mothers, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and people with mental health problems. It's a sad fact but it's a fact nonetheless. I have anxiety but I would never tell my boss as I know she'd view me differently.

Eilaianne · 26/11/2018 15:53

it would be a terrible idea to include this in a CV - a CV is there to sell you, this would put many employers off (rightly or wrongly; there isn't the space or time to provide them with the context needed for them to know if it would pose a problem for them or not in reality).

she should do as other posters have suggested - a short single bullet point suggesting caring duties would be sufficient. that's all.

AmyDowdensLeftLeftShoe · 26/11/2018 16:02

@Undercoverbanana - adult children can have care needs. You could also be caring for their children or another family member's children due to other issues. I know people who have ended up being carers for people who aren't blood relations.

Point is "family commitments" covers a lot of things and you don't have to specify what it means on a CV to get your foot in that door.

Original poster
Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 16:06

She has asked for help - I recruit people as part of my job and she asked for my opinion
Of course it is her decision, and I’ll respect and support her whichever choice she makes

OP posts:
Original poster
Bouncebacker · 26/11/2018 16:10

Emerald - that’s good to know. I think she comes across so well in person and would be able to explain things in a way that would be reassuring to people who met her - I just want to make sure they meet her!

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 26/11/2018 16:37

Personally I thought he was very brave. I would explain the gap as family or say personal commitments when in person, unless they probe. I am sure most employers won't glare for an answer. I think most appreciate bravery and resilience.

businessEthics · 26/11/2018 16:40

You're right.

I would need to find a different reason but there's no way I wuld employ your friend, all things being equal.

Graphista · 26/11/2018 16:57

When you recruit would you recruit someone being honest they left their last job due to mental illness?

There is still huge discrimination out there.

I applied for over 200 jobs last year (mistakenly thought I was well enough) and only got 3 replies.

Dd is too old to need care & I won't lie and say I was caring for other people that I wasn't. All I put was ill health, where it was specifically asked.

Otherwise I used a style of cv that didn't illuminate the gaps but recruiters aren't stupid. Prejudiced, but not stupid.

I've not worked for almost 9 years, sporadically applying when I think I'm doing well, partly hoping that maybe working again will also help.

At this point I've come to the conclusion I'm best off doing something from home on a self employed basis that I hope to organise next year once we know what the fuck is happening with brexit

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