jobs/job interviews

[blu_crying_wolf]

I've got a few questions for you guys

Comments

[chateaudyquem]

I believe that Equal Opportunity Employment makes it illegal to discriminate against people with any sort of medical ailment - so technically you should be able to disclose your bipolar and not be punished for it. That being said, bipolar is not-very-well-understood-by-the-masses sort of thing, so that might not be your best bet.

What I did, when applying for my job after having been unemployed for a long period of time, was tell my interviewer that I was diagnosed with an illness that left me temporarily unable to work, but that things were much better for me and I looked forward to getting back into the swing of things.

One of the first questions you're bound to be asked is "why are you interested in this position" - you could schmooze on about how you love books and stuff like that (as I'm sure there was a reason that you were interested besides the low-stress environment) and then say "plus, it seems like a perfect fit for someone easing themselves back in the work force."

Good luck!

[blu_crying_wolf]

Thanks for replying so quickly.

I think saying "I was diagnosed with an illness that left me temporarily unable to work.... much better... looking forward..." sounds perfect. I was looking for something along those lines.

I know that equal opportunity is there, but since I haven't been working for 3 years they could easily hear me say "bipolar", freak out, and just say I wasn't qualified. Then they're covered... and I don't wanna be involved with that because that would really hurt my ego.

And yes, I am interested in books. I've always loved the library and reading so that's a plus. :)

[mellybinthesea]

I'd be careful implying the job you're applying for is low stress- the easing yourself back in part. They may perceive the job as being high-stress or very important and may not hire you because you don't seem up to the challenge.

[blu_crying_wolf]

That's true too.... hmmm

[daisy7065]

usually my one and only motivation is to think about the debt I used to be in and how I don't ever want ot be back in that much debt again. Usually that's enough of a motivator to get my ass up and out of bed and into work (but sometiems it's not and sometimes I can't force myself to go to work. Those are the days that my boss gets VERY pissed at me because he thinks that bipolar is all in my head....)

*hugs*

[blu_crying_wolf]

*hugs*

Thinking about the debt would help a lot... didn't think about that.

So when did you tell your boss about the bipolar? Up front at the beginning or after you've had the job for a while?

[daisy7065]

He knew from the begining. he is a "family friend" *eye roll* he is a good friend of my father's, but I fail to see why (he's a really huge jerk to everyone inclusing his kids and wife) *shrugs*

But I am trying to get a new job, and I don't plan on telling them that I am bipolar. I feel that I have it under control enough that it shouldn't be a problem. I will use sick days when I need them I guess...

[blu_crying_wolf]

ah I see... I'm thinking that's what I'm going to do too.. I seem to be doing quite well now and I want it to stay that way as long as I can get it. If it becomes a serious problem *then* I will tell them.

Thank you for your input though. I appreciate it. :)

[miraclebean]

I'm only now coming to grips with having to 'confess' that Bean is Bipolar. Because of the misconceptions, and because my job requires me to deal with perceptions (misconstrued or true), that I'm highly sensitive to how people react to words and information. I think the advice you have here is pretty solid. EEO laws will protect you. And they cannot ask the details, ever. How much you divulge is up to you. For me, personally, I've used language w/ Bean's school like just saying 'disorder,' without giving any modifiers. I also have said things like 'his struggles with being chronically inflexible and having a low tolerance for frustration.' Additionally phrases they DO understand like 'non-verbal learning disability,' allow them to be in a 'helpful' mood as opposed to a judgemental one. The word BiPolar is much more accurate than Manic-Depressive, but it still is very misunderstood. Unfortunate. But true. My rambling point here: words are important. You're already ahead of the game by thinking about how you're going to chose them.

[blu_crying_wolf]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I definitely am choosing my words carefully, or at least to the best of my knowledge. That's why I'm asking what has/has not worked for the others of this community with the hopes that others have more experience at it and can tell me what works.

How are things with Bean today?

[miraclebean]

see my journal..think you may have already responded.../sigh. good luck on the interview. i'm pulling for you.

[vivid_prodigy]

Oh, working at a library is good work. My aunt does that and she loves it (plus the benefits are great

[blu_crying_wolf]

Yay! Info about the library job.. didn't think I'd actually find someone who knew someone who worked in the library. So it is a good job huh? Good. That's what I was looking for.

As far as the ways to get out of bed, those are all GREAT ideas. I like the setting the alarm an hour before I need to get up. And yes I do understand about the cig first thing in the morning. Though I'm not a smoker, I do love a Mt. Dew in the morning. (Not nearly the same, but I identify with it, lol).

[aristarla]

I was working in a library when I was diagnosed with Bipolar, I was very open about it, and they were very understanding. And when it got to a point that I couldn't work any more, they understood that as well. But by that point I had already been working there for a couple of years. So, different circumstances

[axcess_denied]

I've never thought of it that way - that people need
me.

I struggle every morning!! Think this might
do me some good.

Have a good one!

[blu_crying_wolf]

Alright this is very helpful for me :)

The getting out of bed stuff will help me a lot. I don't know what I could treat myself with right now since we're so short on finances, but I'm sure I can think of something. Maybe an hour online before work or something... (thinking to myself) And I'm sure that it helps to not be able to call in to yourself. I have always been scared to death to call in when I'm not feeling well. I feel so guilty and like I'm going to be fired. My last job I couldn't call in more than twice and that about killed me.

[chateaudyquem]

Hey Aristaria - I'm a manager of a restaurant too, and ever since taking this particular job I think I've been handling things much better than I have in the past. I wonder if it is that this is a kind of stress that somehow works with my brain - sounds kind of weird, but I have had so many people say "I don't know how you handle it, it's too much going on at once for me" and I just look at them like they're nuts, because to me it's just fine.