#66: Your Work Resumé Can Be Rescued (At Any Time)
Jun 25, 2020
FROM THIS SHOW…
YOUR FREE BONUS GUIDE
Find today’s professional resumé templates here! No email required.
Maybe this is you. Maybe you get a good three year run at a job. Or maybe more if it’s ideal. But maybe you get however far you get and then your mental health decides to nose-dive into a shallow pool. How long should you wait to get recovered and get back out there?
For some, the answer to this question is painfully long and complicated. When you have a bipolar disorder, sometimes the last thing you have confidence in is your ability to work a decent job. And then a few months off turns into a few years. And that creates a “gap” in your work history, which is the greatest sin to reveal on your resumé as you job hunt.
What can be done about this terribly common occurrence? On today’s episode of The Bipolar Now Podcast, Mike digs deep into a listener question and comes out with a couple of examples on how that “gap” in your resumé might not even be a big deal.
You don't want to miss it!
Listen to the podcast:
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts! With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-)
TAKEAWAYS
-
Some people have to have a job. But when you’ve got a bipolar disorder, it is exceptionally important to also want one in the first place.
-
When rebuilding your resumé, classify work gaps as either “Continuing Education” or “Leave of Absence”. And frame it in a positive light.
-
If you are looking for some visual examples of a resumé from a person with bipolar, you can borrow Mike’s recent updates (download here) and copy the format for yourself.
Lifer Discussion Guide
Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to help you out with the subject of resume building, job hunting, and all the fun hoops to jump through just to get a job!
“Lifers” are special people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick around through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)
The Questions:
1) When was the first time you had to write a resumé? / Did it get you the job?
2) What parts of your resumé are the scariest to think about updating?
3) What in your work gap(s) can you classify as “Continuing Education”?
4) What in your work gap(s) can you classify as “Leave of Absence”? / And how will you talk about that in a positive sense if and when you are asked about it in the interview?
5) How do you balance “need to work” with “want to work”? / What about this is challenging for you?
Join the Tribe!
Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!
Other ways to enjoy this episode
