Hi fellow sober time folks. Question need advice on rejoining work force after being sober. When should one go back to work, what do you do about gaps in work history and resume. Do you tell potential employers. Looking for advice Thanks
I quit my job a drunk. Got sober 2 months later and 6 months after that I went back to work. All together, I was out of work for 8 months.
When you go back depends on you. Iâd like to think you will know when youâre ready. I was ready; it just felt right.
As for how to explain a gap, first I would only offer an explanation if asked. I wouldnât lie, but something as simple as âtook a leave to care for a sick family memberâ would suffice. In a way, thatâs true, you took care of youâre self.
Not sure where youâre at, but in the US prospective employers canât ask for personal or medical related questions when interviewing you, so that answer is all you need to say.
How soon are you looking to get back to work?
Slowly starting to put things into place. Looking forward to getting back to working.
Tell them youve been travelling or dealing with health issues but you are 100% healthy now. Iâve used the travelling one a lot and it works well lol. You can say a shopping cart full of things. Nothing wrong with a white lie get gainfully employed. Thats just me.
I was out of work for 15 months. Iâve been open with both employers about my recovery. However, both employers have a high understanding of the disease and do not offer judgement. I was over 6 months sober when I got my first job.
Thanks guys really good pointers, I used to work in hospitality/customer service so need to find something less stressful.
When asked about my gap I would allude it was intentional and talk about it being the first time I spent that kinda time with my kid. ( summer before starting high school- taught him how to rede the bus in the city. Also got a chance to travel) Tell em a good reason. Be confident.
People didnât question. Granted maybe due to being longtime in my career without any gaps.
For me I would never tell about being alcoholic. They would talk and word would spread.
I will say I donât recommend lying on a resume. As someone who has a decision in staffing at my company if I found out an employee lied on a resume I would fire them. You donât have to talk about your disease if you donât want to, but being intentionally dishonest on a resume itâs an absolute no-no.
I work in hospitality and it is indeed stressful! I get where you are coming from!!!
I am 39 days sober and just started a very rough job⌠I wonât lie, itâs overwhelming⌠However, it is helping my mind stay occupied. Go at your own pace, your mental health and wellbeing are extremely important. I wouldnât worry too much about gaps, I had a 4 year gap and had 4 job offers.
That and the fact that getting sober is all about getting honest too. I made the mistake of being completely honest years ago. Didnât even get a call back LOL, and I had worked there before and was a good employee. Live and learn. I also feel like if more of us were able to be honest the truth of addiction would be seen.
Yeah, you can always just say medical issue (which it is), but I didnât try to fill in my gap with things I didnât do
I think it took me about 6 months to start working again. The gap in employment was explained by telling I was dealing with a family issue.
I never mentioned anything about my alcoholism.
I go to work, do my job to the best of my ability and try not to piss anyone off.
Lying on a resume is not a great descion. Telling a potential employer you are a recovering alcoholic or addict can be just as bad or worse.