Interview help please

pheasant tail

Well all, I would really appreciate some advice here.
So i have an interview coming up at the end of next week. I've just finished college so I have no experience with interviews and the problem is I have a gap of two years on my CV (as in, it took an extra two years for me to finish college). I am very sure I am going to be asked about this and I am wondering what is the most appropriate response? The gap of two years was in relation to mental illness but surely there's no need to inform the panel on this.....Do i make up something else? If it matters, its only for an 8 month contract and the reasons for the gap will not impact my performance in the job whatsoever. Thank you

BarraOG

Don't lie in an interview. If they even sense you're not telling the truth you won't get the job anyway. If you're asked why there is a gap in your CV just say that you were sick and on your doctors advice needed to fully recover before you could finish your course. If they push you further, tell them about the mental illness. However, keep in mind that you have nothing to be ashamed of and remain confident when discussing the fact that you were sick. Your confidence will more than likely make them confident about it. Tell yourself, if they're unreasonable about this then they're probably unreasonable to work for too.

Best of luck!

InReality

Your entitled to present yourself in the best light in an interview.
Given the prejudice towards mental illness consider the pros and cons carefully before mentioning it.

I'd hand it by having plenty to say and controlling the conversation as much as I could to the topics I wanted to talk about.
I've read that most people are scared and focused on the negatives in their CV's and its this "focus" that interviewers pick up on.
I'd suggest going into the interview focused on the positives on your CV and aim to talk about them.

Basically everyone will have something on their CV they don't like - if you don't make a big deal of it the panel are less likely to.

Good luck ::)

Tarzana

I wouldn't tell them it was mental illness. As a sufferer myself, I would *never* discuss such a thing in an interview myself. It's nice and all for people to advise you to take a stand but in reality you won't get the job. You have to be selfish here, IMO.

pheasant tail

Thanks for the advice guys, i think ill try avoid mentioning it at all costs but as advised above, make sure remain confident when answering the question and hopefully ill be ok, cheers

danthefan

Firstly - I took an extra year to finish college and I have never been asked about it in an interview.

Secondly - just say it was for personal reasons. Or if you're comfortable with it say health reasons that are now resolved and leave it at that.

pheasant tail

Well so I had my interview today, when asked about the extra years I said it was for personal reasons and before they could say anything I said it was a great decision, I came back much stronger, into a very good new class and obtained much better results that I could have hoped for. It was left at that, much easier to remain confident if telling the truth and I think they may respect that. Certainly was the best approach

BarraOG

Nice one! The more interviews you do the more confident you'll be.

InReality

Fair play - delighted to hear that. Sounds way better than my last interview

Stheno

Well done! Sounds like you handled it very well