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Discussion on: How to deal with resume gaps due to mental illness while job hunting?

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Frank Carr

It depends on how big the gap is. If it was something like years and there are obvious gaps in your knowledge as well, then that might make things difficult. If the gap is about 3-6 months and your skills are good, it's less of a factor.

I have a 5 month gap due to a serious illness and I used to work with a guy who was out of work nearly a year after he barely survived a motorcycling accident. While these weren't mental, but physical, they were a gap due to a health issue.

You shouldn't have to give a lot of details about why there's gap. I'm not sure I'd want to work for a company that wanted to pry into my private life to that extent. Just say that you had a health issue and that you're better now. In the US, they should be careful because if they don't hire you because of that they could put themselves in legal trouble under the ADA.

One possible problem is if a company starts researching you on social media. Some do these days. Make sure it is as 'clean' as possible with no mentions of your situation.