Where do I go from here?

LegacyUser

I'm a 27 year old woman who has spend most of her life battling mental problems (depression and anxiety mostly). Because of this and another health, I have worked only sporadically throughout and after college. I have been not working for eight months now, trying to sort things out once and for all, and I am getting places finally. This is good but I have no idea how I am going to get a job with such CV gaps. My last job didn't end well, I had huge absences and was only there six months. I did do some aspects of the job well though.

I just don't know how I could explain the CV gaps to an employer because mentioning health issues would be a huge red flag surely? I just don't know what to do.

LegacyUser

Anyone?

Kamchatka1

You might like to take a look at this site:

http://www.workaccess.org/page2.html

It is only for the Limerick area but if you click on "Consortium links" on the left of the page it will take you to email addresses for similar projects in other areas of the country.

This is probably not what your looking for but may be worth a look. Maybe they could help you on the CV gap issues.

LegacyUser

sunflower27 wrote: »

I feel for you, OP. My sister suffers from mental health problems and was in and out of work for a good while until she finally got her meds sorted.

Would you perhaps consider studying something you are interested in?

Would you be able to avail of some sort of benefit to do so?

Failing that, I do understand you not wanting to mention your health issues. I know some people have said they went travelling in the past to cover gaps. I am not advocating you lie - that is your choice

Well, I actually have a good degree (a II-1 in a hard science from Trinity - don't ask me how that happened. ) but a degree isn't much good without a lack of experience. I left my last job after only six months. I don't think the travelling reason would be good because of that, people would generally try and stay in their job for a bit longer before going off travelling.

I dunno, I mean I can understand the employer's perspectives too, they want someone dependable. Also due to illness, I didn't get my degree until I was 25. It's just hard to know what to do to get a job. I'd like to do a Masters some time but I need a job to save up for that or to pay off a loan.

LegacyUser

Kamchatka1 wrote: »

You might like to take a look at this site:

http://www.workaccess.org/page2.html

It is only for the Limerick area but if you click on "Consortium links" on the left of the page it will take you to email addresses for similar projects in other areas of the country.

This is probably not what your looking for but may be worth a look. Maybe they could help you on the CV gap issues.

Thank you. I suffer from depression, and am recovering, so I don't think I'd quite slot into the disabled category. But thank you.

LegacyUser

Research jobs you are interested in well. From my own experience, this really impresses in interviews. Play up what you were good at in your last job.