Job interview and previous time off for mental health

[Batshit1]

Hello, I have a job interview next week for an entry level job that is relevant to my degree but doesn’t require a degree. I suspended my degree in my final year last year because I was already going though a very stressful time due to my child having a long term illness and being frequently hospitalised and separating from my partner of 13 years, when a very close family member passed away. My mental health was very poor and I was struggling to cope with it all so I decided to suspended my studies and leave my last job (in field relevant to my degree) to take some pressure off. I have been working self employed since then so no actual CV gap.

In my interview they will definitely ask why I suspended my degree and I don’t know what to say, I am picking the degree back up part time this September so would be working toward finishing it at the same time as doing this job if I got it. Any one able to suggest a way of explaining what happened without making myself sound unreliable?!

"My x year old child was very ill with y and hospitalised repeatedly. I put my studies on hold to be able to support her. I'm returning to complete my degree in September."

the problem is my child is still ill and frequently hospitalised. If I admit this an interview I will never get a job!

Family bereavement

"I had to leave because I was sick. I've recovered now."

They don't need to know what the illness was. Remember that interviews are two-way - if the interviewer aggressively presses for details, that's an employer who does not respect your boundaries or privacy and who you may not want to work for.

I think this is what I will have to say but I still think it makes me seem unreliable. After all lots of people suffer a bereavement and don’t have a complete breakdown, which is really what happened.

@EnthENd thanks, that is true I suppose!

I had a family bereavement and at the same time my child was ill and frequently in hospital so I took some time away from my studies to concentrate on my family.

That’s perfectly fine to say and they shouldn’t pry any further.

Good luck with the interview.

“Health circumstances at the time meant I was unable to study and provide for my family so unfortunately I had to suspect the degree. My circumstances have now changed and I will be starting the degree again soon”.

you don’t need to give them the ins and outs of private health details of your family members.

No because you've adapted as all parents of chronically ill children must. Plus at the time you had the additional stress of a relationship breakdown.

I'm not sure why you think lying over a bereavement is preferable to the truth.

There's nothing remotely difficult to understand or problematic about the truth in this scenario.

Your preference to lie is however for me a real red flag.

Why on earth would you want a boss who can't understand that a divorce and very sick child warranted pausing your studies?

I'm really sorry you went through all you did and kudos to you for launching on your own thus having no CV gap.

You don't need to go as far as explaining you had a breakdown because you need not bare your soul to an employer but as PP wrote:

"I had a family bereavement and at the same time my child was ill and frequently in hospital so I took some time away from my studies to concentrate on my family."

Covers everything, and importantly stops any prying, or awkward questions. It's best you be factual and short with it rather than trying to find a cover. Ultimately you did what was best for you and you're in a much stronger position now, especially having found your resolve to complete the degree.

They may not even ask as a degree isn't required for the role
If they do, say personal circumstances meant you weren't able to commit the time required to complete it to the standard you wanted and that you're resuming your studies soon.

@AquamarineGlass what was I lying about?!

Thanks so much everyone for the replies,
feeling a bit less stressed about it now!

I am SO sorry @Batshit1

I read about the relationship breakdown and your child but didn't also take on the bereavement

I am very sorry. It is me who is batshit evidently

@AquamarineGlass we’re all a little batshit here 🤣🤣

Do you even need to put it in the application if you haven’t completed it and it’s not a requirement for the role?

I’ve been in a similar situation & stated “close family bereavement” to emphasize the impact it had on me & the unlikelihood of it happening again.