What Do You Say In Interviews?

[Butter-Bee]

I am currently looking for another job so I can quit the place I am working now as its to stressful and I feel I'm getting bullied by a manager (telling on her is not an option). The only thing is I have had over the acceptable amount of time off sick due to anxiety etc etc and so I don't know what to say if I do get an interview or even what to put on my application forms for why I want to leave, personal reasons makes me feel like it looks like I'm blagging it and my current work doesn't know about my PTSD and I don't want next employer to know either.

If anyone has any suggestions please please reply and let me know, I've got to get another job before this one ruins me.

Thanks in advance xx

 

[Wordgirl]

Hi, You don't have to give a medical reason for changing jobs - just say that you feel it's time for you to seek other opportunities, that you have a lot to contribute and are looking forward to helping the new company reach their goals. Tell them, A. You can do the job; B. You get along with people; C. You can help them increase their bottom line by (fill in with whatever you do well.) Cite any examples of saving money for your previous company, how you make a difference, etc. Speak well of your current employer, and have confidence in yourself. :) Just my two cents...

 

[jka37]

Wordgirl gives very good advice. I thought of all these things you can say, but I think her version is much more professional.

 

[712xx]

I'm not sure keeping your condition a secret is a good idea. Everyone has bad days, but when we have themit can seem out of proportion from the point of view of 'normals', unless they know what is going on. You don't have to give all the details, that wouldn't be at all helpful either.

This is just a suggestion, since I don't know the details of the career field you are in. You might want to look into finding a company that has an equal opportunity 'quota' to fulfill. Those companies need to hire a certain percentage of disabled, minorities, gender, etc. That way, you and the company are both benefitting by hiring you, and you don't have to keep this huge secret from your boss (your coworkers don't need to know a thing).

As our symptoms will flare up from time to time, the added stress of acting like it is no big deal will catch up with you eventually. Taking care of yourself can sometimes mean you need to reveal the ptsd to certain people in order to better get along in the environment. It helps you, because they won't be assuming the worst (as many people do when they don't have enough information to form a proper conclusion).

Best Wishes
--(@

 

[712xx]

Oh, btw, love your avatar Butter-Bee :tup:

 

[Butter-Bee]

Thanks!!
Ill use that equal opportunites percentage thing to my advantage (hopefully) and maybe that will ensure it doesnt affect their reaction to hire me to much. Plus it is true that they are going to find out at some point if they do employ me.

 

[intothelight]

Butter-Bee,

I wouldn't really say much of anything at all. You are leaving your present employer because you are seeking a "better opportunity" and that is the truth. It will be better without all of the stress and the personal issues.

Wishing you the best.
Debbie

 

[AABMT]

I agree with not sharing too much during an interview and just saying you are looking for a better opportunity. Potential employers don't need to know your medical circumstances and you want to be judged on your skills and experience and not by your medical circumstances. Once you have the postion and if symptoms flare up, then you could share the situation because you will be protected by discrimination laws. Just my two cents.

 

[jka37]

Yes, wait...that's not interview information in my book. You don't throw all the infer out on the table at first glance for anyone!

 

[712xx]

It is important to be upfront before they hire you. For one, it is dishonest to keep this information from a potential employer. Yes, it is going to limit your chances of being hired. However, when the symptoms do flare up, and you then have to reveal it – they are going to resent you for not being open about your condition at the beginning.

They can actually fire you for not telling them; it is a pretty large thing to omit. You must make it a part of your hiring contract that they make reasonable allowances for your disability, or they don't have to. They are not required to make disability allowances after they hire you if they didn’t know about it; it has to be in your hiring contract that they agreed to give you reasonable accommodations, and you need to specify what those accommodations may be. Find a company where it is beneficial all the way around, or else it will end up a mess down the line.

 

[Hashi]

Butter-Bee, are you in the UK? The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for anyone to ask you questions about health/disability during the recruitment process, unless:

• it's directly relevant to your ability to carry out essential parts of the job (eg for a job as a delivery person they could ask if you can carry heavy weights but they can't give you a complete medical questionnaire to complete)
• to enable you to take part in the recruitment process, or
• for monitoring equality.

For more information, see:
[DLMURL]http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/LookingForWork/DG_4000219[/DLMURL]

Absence from work can be seen as a problem with being able to carry out a job but if you have a disability (generally defined as a condition likely to affect your ability to carry out everyday tasks, for 12 months or longer) then that's not a reason for not appointing you/not keeping you if they could make reasonable adjustments that would help you manage, like flexible working hours, working from home, a quiet room to take breaks in etc.

Previous sick leave records are a tricky one. In theory, an employer would be on thin ice if they based a decision on this, but in practice many employers still might. I suggest you ring the Acas Helpline and ask them for their advice about how to approach this. They provide information and guidance to employers and employees. It’s free and confidential, and they’re very good.
08457 47 47 47
Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm
[DLMURL]http://www.acas.org.uk[/DLMURL]

Quotas are no longer allowed here, although employers can guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability (they are then still judged fairly on merit).

As for reason for leaving, I do recruitment and I doubt anyone ever tells the whole truth on that one. I think the most important thing is to say something plausible. Looking for a new challenge would be suspicious if this wasn't likely to be one, but things like money, location, hours, size of company, benefits etc are generally valid.

 

[healthbuilder]

Hi, This is rockey I have completed B.E and working on linux but its not related to my stream. Give me suggestion what I have to do now.......!:(