How do I explain why I left my last job?

Question

I stopped work earlier this year because of a very serious episode of the mental illness I have battled for years. I am stable now and applying for a job.

For obvious reasons, I do not want to mention anything about my illness on the application or in the interview. It's none of their business, and it would prevent me from being considered for the job (I live in a small town that is still about 40 years behind society).

I am not a whackjob and I am very talented, but I am at a loss as to how to answer this question. "Personal reasons" is a HORRIBLE answer - way too vague. I've heard this from lots of HR people. How else can I answer?

It is completely and totally illegal for them to ask ANY question about ANY illness or medical issue. The only thing they can ask is, "Do you require reasonable accommodation?" And my answer is no, I do not. I don't want to put down an illness because if I bring it up first, then they CAN ask questions about it.

Answer 1

I would put something to the effect of "to focus on personal interests" or "switched my focus to personal work." something that doesn't really give any details but explains where your focus was. does this make sense?

Answer 2

Why not say it was for medical issues that have been resolved? You can certainly be vague about what your illness was. Just say something like "I left XYZ Co. when I discovered a medical issue that needed immediate attention. Thankfully, I am healthy again and ready to work!" It still allows you to be vague but not appear as though you are covering up jail time ;)

Answer 3

Say something like "I was forced to take time off because of a personal affliction" if details are asked simply answer that although your affliction is gone you still have some discomfort speaking about such a personal experience. If more information is asked, which I doubt they would be that rude, simply come clean and explain that you are very talented and that, that was the past and that you are a new person.

Answer 4

Be undemanding as high quality as achievable and basically tell them, you already be attentive to, i dont could desire to be rude or say something unfavorable approximately my former provider provider regardless of the incontrovertible fact that i left the pastime through fact of (how ya'll have been getting alongside, or in my opinion left through fact of therapy there, or say a hardship got here up and it was dealt with poorly or in a fashion that i felt replaced into as quickly as unfair) and desperate that i had to artwork someplace the place i felt that therapy or something it relatively is that made you pass away wont take place returned. they are going to be determining if your undemanding in asserting which you dont prefer to be unfavorable regardless of the incontrovertible fact that which you purely left for a private/some ingredient reason.

Answer 5

Tell them medical reasons which is the truth. That will probably satisfy them because they should know about medical confidentiality.

Good luck in finding a new job and I am glad you have recovered from you illness.

Answer 6

You might look at the EEOC's Enforcement Guidance on the Americans with Disabilites Act and Psychiatric Disabilities (March, 1997), which is on the web at: http://www.eeoc.gov.

Know your rights.

Answer 7

Could you just say "medical reasons"? I don't know whether they're allowed to ask about that or base their hiring on medical conditions. You might check into that - equal opportunity employers and all that jazz.

Answer 8

you can also say you were ill without giving them details -- they don't have to know whether it was a mental or physical illness. that way you're being honest without giving them information that truly (and legally) isn't their business, and you're not being so vague that they might assume you've got something to hide.

Answer 9

well as you mention,your town is way behind just put that you need a new career or need new skills.I don't think you should have any problems

Answer 10

Try saying you were attempting to start your own business, but it didn't work out.