Do I bring up past medical issue?

Techytach

I have epilepsy. I used to not be able to work because of it, so there is an obvious gap in resume.

I am completely fine now, as I have medication that cures me 100%.

I already did not get a job because of it. Despite my assurances, he was worried they'd be liable if I fell off a ladder (job required a lot of new cabling.)

Annoying thing is they always ask so many personal questions about it and I feel like its none of their business (it ends up in a 10-20 min talk about how it felt and the experiences around it...) People always seem a little freaked out by epilepsy.

So yea, is this something I mention? If I don't how else should I explain the near empty resume for someone in his early 30s?

markulous

Can't you just say that you had a medical issue for that period but everything is fine now? Not that people will run for the hills if they hear epilepsy, but it's not really any of their business.

Techytach

removed unnecessary quote from reply



They just ask what the medical issues were anyway.

Unless there is some polite way of saying it I haven't come up with yet. Maybe I can work on being more vague about it.

636-555-3226

I'd be honest but figure out how to phrase it better? Say you have epilepsy and weren't undergoing treatment at the time due to (insurance reasons?) so had difficulty working. Since you've (gotten insurance?) you are now able to treat the condition and have been fine for (over a year?) without a single seizure. Doctors have fully cleared you for work and have noted there is absolutely no cause to believe you will have any relapse as the medication (completely treats your condition?).

And stay away from those jobs where you have to climb ladders....

Mishra

6 Job Interview Tips Concerning Health Issues | Minority Nurse

Techytach

@=636-555-3226

Had nothing to do with insurance, it went undiagnosed for 14 years.

And its been a solid 2 years since a single seizure and I got on the proper medication. Yet apparently I can't work on ladders (its not even the convulsive kind of seizure that would make me fall, I explained I had never fallen from one in my life...)

Priston

@=Techytach
I agree with what markulous said and if they ask what the medical issue is, say something like I'm sorry but that question is a little too personal.

EnderWiggin

This is what I would go with as well. Just tell them that it will not in any way affect your job performance, and will require no special accommodations. I want to say there's a privacy law preventing them from even asking what the condition was, anyways....

alias454

@=Techytach

To me this is what you say if anyone asks. Seems legitimate that an undiagnosed condition can wreak havoc for many years and now that you are undergoing proper treatments you are grateful to be able to work. That isn't a red flag for me. I would go the other way and make it a positive statement about the kind of person you are.

CCNTrainee

Wouldn't PHI rights/laws cover this?

Raystafarian

That's what I'm thinking - what country are you in OP? The only need to disclose any health related information, in the US at least, is to ensure you get reasonable accommodation.

Russell77

How long is the gap in your work history?