If you have resume gaps due to mental illness, you may be worried about how to present your work history in an interview. You may even wonder if you’ll be able to land an interview in the first place.
You should know that it’s not uncommon to have gaps in your resume due to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. Many people suffer from health issues that make it difficult to keep up with traditional work requirements.
Taking time off work for mental health can be a transformative decision, leading to personal growth and positive change. However, explaining a gap in employment due to mental health challenges can feel daunting.
When the break was for personal reasons, it’s important to address it with honesty and a focus on personal development. Rather than dwelling on the gap, highlight the skills you gained and how the experience made you more resilient and adaptable.
If you’re readying yourself to join the workforce again after mental health struggles, there are some ways you can prepare. Continue reading for tips on how to explain gaps in your resume and put your best foot forward during the job interview process.
Explaining Employment Gaps Due to Personal Reasons
Taking a career break due to mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s estimated that more than one in five adults in the U.S. has a mental illness. It’s not uncommon to need a break when you’re facing depression, burnout, high anxiety, or even substance use concerns.
Resume gaps in employment may raise red flags for some employers, which is why it’s important to have an explanation. Here are some ways to highlight the benefits of and logical reasons for any resume gaps:
1. See the Gaps as a Positive
It’s not necessarily a bad thing for your resume to contain employment gaps. It can demonstrate your ability to persevere and overcome adversity. It can also show that you know the difference between simply working hard and pushing yourself too far.
It can also highlight the personal responsibility you take for your health. Ignoring mental health can result in lower productivity, job satisfaction, and performance. Showing that you took the time to recover when you needed it can highlight your commitment to doing good work.
2. Emphasize What You Accomplished
Gaps in your employment history don’t need to be the main focus of your resume. Try to highlight your accomplishments at previous jobs you’ve worked at.
If you did anything during your employment gap to improve your skills, your health, or educate yourself, mention that, as well. Maybe you completed a training course, did volunteer work, or took a class. Working full-time isn’t the only way to gain experience that can make you a valuable employee.
3. Be Honest
Be prepared to briefly and honestly explain your absence from work activities should your potential employer ask. One example of something you could consider saying is, “I took time off to recover from an illness. I now have my condition under control and am looking forward to rejoining the workforce.”
4. Don’t Go Chronologically
Resumes don’t have to follow a chronological format. For example, you can list work experience by how relevant it is to the position you are applying for, rather than the order in which you worked. This is a good way to shift the focus away from your work timeline while highlighting the skills you’ve learned along the way. You may not even need to provide an employment gap explanation.
5. Utilize Your Cover Letter
If you’re worried about hiring managers scrapping your resume due to gaps in employment, consider writing an explanation in your cover letter. You can simply briefly state that you were recovering from an illness during that time.
6. Apply To the Right Companies
Certain companies may be more understanding of gaps in your resume because of mental illness. For example, you might look for openings at health and wellness companies that emphasize mental health. In these cases, having health challenges can show your commitment to the values of the company.
7. Supply References
Consider providing references that can speak to your character, skills, and reliability. People you list might include former supervisors, volunteer coordinators, instructors, or mentors. Be sure to select people who can emphasize your growth, intelligence, commitment to self-improvement, and good work ethic.
Preparing To Enter the Workforce
Not knowing how to explain gaps in work experience is a common concern for many people with mental illness. Nonetheless, conveying the importance and value of your previous time off is possible. By positively and professionally addressing any gaps in your resume, you can eliminate the associated stigma around taking a break for mental health. When you create your resume, you should highlight the productive ways you used your time off and be honest about why you took it.
Get Help From The Recovery Academy
At The Recovery Academy, we help people gain the life skills they need to work and live independently again. We believe that everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we create a unique rehabilitation plan for each individual.
Recovery plans are reviewed each week with a counselor and adjusted based on the client’s needs. Recovery is grounded in accountability, respect, fun, hope, healing, and camaraderie.
If you’re struggling with a substance use disorder, mental health condition, or both, you may benefit from one of our programs. At our sober houses in St. Paul, we offer structured and supportive living environments to help clients gain the skills they need to thrive. This includes:
- Vocational and Life Skills Training
- Goal Setting and Accountability
- Resume Building and Job Readiness
- Interview Preparation
- Community and Peer Support
Taking time off for recovery isn’t a setback— it’s a courageous step forward. At The Recovery Academy, we help each resident turn their journey into a powerful story of growth and resilience. If you need help through the process and with rejoining the workforce, contact us today. Our highly trained team is ready to assist you every step of the way.
