Almost a year ago, I had to resign from my job as Brand Manager for Roche Pharmaceuticals. I was suffering from severe agoraphobia as well as agitated depression. I quit my job in order to take the time necessary to get well. I was relieved to leave that job, the whole environment was not supportive or helpful to my illness at the time.

Now, almost a year later I have fully recovered from the depression and anxiety. I have taken all the steps necessary to get better including medication, regular psychotherapy, exercise etc etc. I have also made a few major changes to my life including breaking up with my toxic boyfriend and moving back home with my folks so that I feel better supported.

I have been looking for a new job to get back into life. I have been for soooooo many interviews, but I am not successful. I think the reason is that prospective employers see my big leave of absence from the workforce as a negative. I have been using the excuse that I needed a break, and was on personal leave, but that does not satisfy them. It appears that I am going to have to lie and say that I have been travelling overseas for the past 12 months, that is the only plausible explanation I can give, without saying "hey, I suffered a mental illness". I somehow don't think that would go over too well?! Do you?

Why can't we be honest though, and say what really happened to us? Should we be ashamed of what happened? I know I am not, but unfortunately if there is a candidate with a history of mental illness and another with no inkling of such, who are they going to choose?! It's pretty obvious isn't it.

I went for a job recently with another company within the pharmaceutical industry. It turns out that the lady who interviewed me, is close personal friends with the woman who used to be my manager at Roche. Well she rang up the Roche lady (without my knowledge or authorisation) to get the lowdown on me. Of course my ex-manager told her all about my 'meltdown', how I suffered from anxiety and wasn't up to the pressure and couldn't cope etc etc. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I found out this information via an ex-colleague who works at the company I was applying to work for.

Of course I didn't get given the right of reply, to explain that I have spent the past year getting well again. That I am now better than I ever was before as I am now armed with the knowledge and techniques to better handle stress and pressure, and in fact I am probably better armed and prepared now that the average person who has never suffered from a mental illness! I think that's something to be proud of. Unfortunately though, once you have appeared to have 'had a meltdown' it sticks, and that's all that people remember you for. Not nice. I thought that in the pharmaceutical industry people would at least be more educated and aware than most about mental illness, but it appears the stigma is still there.

I have no idea what I am going to do next. How I am supposed to get back into the workforce with this perceived monkey on my back. Should I tell the truth? Should I lie? I am curious to hear other peoples experience in how they got back into the workforce after a leave of absence. Please tell me your stories! I need the help :-) Thanks.

Well for quiting your job you could say that it was not what you wanted. And this is true. You can refine it and be as specific as you want and you can also "hit back" if someone from your old job says anything that displeases you. They don't hold a monopoly on the truth and you can be as protective of yourself as you want.
Try to give a plausible explanation.
About the year that you stayed away from the market place, you could say that you needed a break, without elaborating. (I read that this doesn't seem to satisfy some employers, well too bad. You can go on to the next IMO. They have no right to put you into holy inquisition! A break can mean a lot of things. You wanted to deal with family issues. You wanted to examine your career goals. You wanted to re-evaluate if you had chosen the right kind of industry. You wanted some time to relax etc etc. ) It is also apparent that you could afford to be on a break and that shows that you had the financial luxury to do so.
IMO you should find two quick, reasonable explanations and not be forthcoming. Just be confident during the job interview and make it so, so it is perceived that YOU didn't want your previous job. If you quit, that's what happened. Do not show that you are in "need" of the new job but subtly let it be understood that you have other opportunities to choose from while at the same time appear confident about your choices of the past. That is my advise anyway. If an employer "feels" he/she can count on you, that's it, you got the job!
Good luck :)

This post has been edited by deeprepressed: Jun 4 2008, 06:08 PM

I had a 2 year break and didn't work. I lived in Europe those 2 years, so that was an acceptable reason. I had a psychotic break coupled with encephalitis in 2001 which caused me to lose my job in 2002. I felt I was well enough to re-enter the workforce in 2003 and had similar problems as yours-explaining the absence. "Personal reasons" didn't satify them either, but I didn't have to tell them anymore than that. Prior to being hired, interviewers cannot ask about your health, marital status, age, how many kids you have, sexual orientation, etc. This in the Labor Laws. You can also check with your local Unemployment Office regarding your rights.

The Privacy Act in the US protects prospective employees. Your previous work history is not a public record. When prospective employers do a background check with previous employers, all they can have is verification of your employment dates-nothing more.



This is in violation of your rights. Your former manager has opened herself up to a lawsuit if you desire to pursue it.

I worked in HR with a previous employer and do know something about the rights you and the employer have. I've also worked in Managed Care for many years. The medical/pharmaceutical profession is fairly close-knit from my experience. Have you thought about changing to another field of employment?
Sheepwoman