IamA Professional career advisors/resume writers who have helped thousands of people switch careers and land jobs by connecting them directly to hiring managers. Back here to help the reddit community for the next 12 hours. Ask Us Anything!

What about medical related gaps?

I'm currently not working, and I have numerous restrictions from my doctor regarding what jobs I can't do. But the vast majority of office jobs are fine, and I have experience and education in that area. to further complicate things, most of these problems are not permanent disabilities but temporary restrictions (that have now been in place for months) that should resolve over time. So I can't claim disability.

But my resume has a 15 month gap from 2012-2013 during my original treatment and recovery. I returned to work late 2013. I was laid off after about 2 years, then suffered a relapse while searching for a new job. I'm fully recovered again, but my resume now shows only 2 years of employment out of the last 5 or so.

On the rare occasion I actually get a call for an interview the question inevitably arises about the gaps. I'm usually straightforward about my health problems, since there are some minor considerations I need at work and the restrictions need to be clear before I'm hired. But the possibility of another large scale problem is remote. But it is very difficult to convey that I'm going to be as reliable as the next guy while the gaps are so glaring and I'm also saying I need a few minutes privacy every few hours for meds and maintenance and I will also need about 4 days out of every 6 months for doctors and specialists.

It is really hard to explain while maintaining my privacy.

/r/IAmA Thread Parent