Injuries and job applications

cantdecide

I've been recovering from shoulder injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident last Summer while abroad. I've been making a very good recovery and I'll be coming off sick certs in the coming weeks.

How do I approach the issue in terms of applications/ cover letters/ interviews? I know I'm not qualified for much other than the manual stores work I used to do years ago but my doctor says I should be good for all physical activities up to the point of very physical work such as "loading bags of coal, for example" as he put it last week.

Firstly, I have to account for my whereabouts since I arrived home last Summer and also, it would be a serious omission if I were to not come clean about my injuries. Having said that, I don't wish to scare potential employers about my condition. As my doctor said, I will be certifying you as fit for work. So when and how should the issue be broached?

P_1

cantdecide wrote: »

I've been recovering from shoulder injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident last Summer while abroad. I've been making a very good recovery and I'll be coming off sick certs in the coming weeks.

How do I approach the issue in terms of applications/ cover letters/ interviews? I know I'm not qualified for much other than the manual stores work I used to do years ago but my doctor says I should be good for all physical activities up to the point of very physical work such as "loading bags of coal, for example" as he put it last week.

Firstly, I have to account for my whereabouts since I arrived home last Summer and also, it would be a serious omission if I were to not come clean about my injuries. Having said that, I don't wish to scare potential employers about my condition. As my doctor said, I will be certifying you as fit for work. So when and how should the issue be broached?

At the interview stage when they ask you to explain the gap in your CV.

'I got hurt and needed to spend time recovering'

tatli_lokma

I wouldn't even say that

If they ask about the gap, last summer is less than a year. At the moment, that is fairly standard and many people have much bigger gaps through no fault of their own.

I would be a bit more vague...maybe say, "well I have been actively looking for work since I returned home, but with the current situation it has taken longer than expected. I also had a minor injury which delayed my search for a couple of months. I am now back to full health and have a letter from my doctor to that effect. I am really eager to get working."

Honestly you could have had no injury and still had a gap of that length on your CV.

Also, get your doctor to actually write you up a 'fit for work' letter. this is a letter (in addition to the final cert he gives you for illness benefit) which basically lists your known health issues and then a couple of sentences to the effect that in his/her medical opinion you do not have any ailment or condition which prohibits you from taking up full time employment. Your doctor should be fairly familiar with it as lots of companies require these prior to a new employee starting.