Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Richardson, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 30 years experience

It is illegal for them to ask why you have not worked. Most Hiring Managers or job applications want information about any employment gaps. You don't have to tell them you were on medical leave but if the gap has been over six months, you should share that you have been actively seeking employment but have taken your time to find the right fit. If you feel comfortable telling them you were taking care of some medical issues, add that you took the time to resolve your medical needs so you could be completely fit and prepared for the next position. Good luck.

One tip....when, at the end of the interview, they ask if you have any questions....if you really want the job tell them they have done an excellent job of providing the job overview and you feel you would be a strong addition to their team. Then say, "My only question is...when do I start?" This always gets a laugh and they will remember you.

Beth Allsop ⋅ Mckinney, TX U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

So here is my experience with letting an employer know in the interviewing process that you require ADA anything. DON'T!

Wait until you have the position in a signed offer letter then discuss your ADA requirements. If they know up front that you need accommodations to perform the job they will hire someone else; however if you tell them after you're hired they have to provide it to you or risk being sued. Sad but so true.

Ellen Frost ⋅ Charlestown, RI Aon ⋅ 1 years experience

Whether or not the question is asked is not the point, it's on your interviewer's mind. Be bold, address it right up front with no apology. I had to take some time to take care of a medical issue. It's been addressed and I am fully able and anxious to return to work. If accommodation is necessary, again be confident, honest and upfront without providing any more detail than is necessary. Again, they do not have the legal right to ask.

Keith Fulton ⋅ South Orange, NJ ⋅ 24 years experience

I agree with Jennifer that you should just tell them you were dealing with health challenges, but that now they are behind you and you're ready to charge forward. It is not illegal for them to ask about gaps. It is illegal (although nearly impossible to prove) to ask about health or discriminate because of it.

Health challenges are, imho, a much better answer than unsuccessfully looking for a job for the same period. Answers like "not finding the right fit" will be recognized automatically as euphemisms for involuntary unemployment.

George Oestreich ⋅ Fort Lauderdale, FL First Service Residential ⋅ 40 years experience

Avoid making the gap look like a mystery, that will create more silent questions for the potential employer. Develop an honest response and stick to it. Most knowledgeable employers know what not to ask.

Robert Brockman ⋅ San Diego, CA San Diego State University now Self Empl ⋅ 52 years experience

Interesting! Take note that you did not include the medical information in your question and then note the variations of responses you have here. I don't have one that is any closer to you having the best advice but I have dealt with the same question about employment gaps from others. Sometimes the issue can be set aside if you can claim you were needed by your family to be available for some other crisis which still (sadly) in America today is more easily accepted about a female than a male. But in the end, I think the extent you can stay close to an honest answer is best and it helps to avoid being haunted later by the outcome: "Oh the web we do weve...."! Now, if the medical issue is a very compelling one, then you might want to make more of your advice search than soliciting advice in this manner..... and seek a very good vocational counselor/job getting expert who can help you work through all the issues in a more extensive way. Good seeking!

Stefan Beyer ⋅ Kirkland, WA Wipro Ltd ⋅ 12 years experience

I've been on and off tech contract jobs for a few years now, sometimes with 3-6 months in between positions. One thing I found was to not focus on what I "didn't" do, but focus on what I "did" do.

For instance, if you've kept yourself a bit busy (after your medical issue improved) with odd jobs you could mention you were "freelancing". Also, if you feel up to learning a new skill you could mention you were improving yourself in the time off; even if it's something you only started in the latter part of your hiatus.

If you can find something to freelance in or a skill to learn which can apply to the job you're interviewing for, all the better. Just be sure not to lie, stretch the truth, or oversell what you did, as any good interviewer will ask some follow up questions.

Generally, if you can show you're a proactive self-starter, that'll go a long way towards reducing any interviewer's concern over your gaps in employment.

(And if you're looking for a new skill to learn, I'd recommend getting one of those "C++ for Dummies" books and teaching yourself how to code, as that's a versatile skill set to have nowadays.)

Ray Walter ⋅ Boiling Springs, PA U.S. Army National Guard, Captain ⋅ 15 years served

I had this issue when I went to my pre employment physical. I was very nervous to tell the physician but I did not want to conceal an issue which does impact my life. I just told the truth and everything worked out fine. I did not go into great detail but I was examined and found fit for employment however if I have surgery my fitness will be reviewed.

Maureen Devane ⋅ Purchase, NY PepsiCo ⋅ 25 years experience

I agree with Roger. If a company sees a big gap in your employment history, it is better to be honest -- "I had a medical issue, but it is resolved now (or i need a certain accommodation because of it)" -- than to say you've been looking and the right fit has not come up. The latter will make employers wonder about either your work ethic (they may think you're not devoting enough effort to the job search) or your capabilities (why are other companies interviewing but not hiring you?). As others have pointed out, you dn't need to give a lot of detail.

Best of luck with your search and thank you for your service.

Richard Stamets ⋅ Skillman, NJ AIG ⋅ 25 years experience

Honesty is always the best policy.

Any decent interviewer will see that you had a gap in your resume and ask why. If the condition would affect your ability to do the job, you shouldn't hide that fact. The employer may be willing to make accomodations. However, if the issue doesn't affect your ability, today, you should state that also.

I agree with Cindy above - Focus on what you can do, not what you can't. Good luck - feel free to message me if you wish to discuss further.

E Y ⋅ Cerritos, CA ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi-
Your qualifications and how you will contribute to the company should overshadow your medical leave. With that said, be honest and indicate that you were on medical leave.

Good luck on your job search!
Eunice

Roger Bhalla ⋅ Houston, TX ConocoPhillips ⋅ 25 years experience

Not to necessarily disagree with the other answers, but you don't really even need to let the potential employer know it was a medical issue, unless you have concerns with it reoccuring or need special accomodation on the job. The important things I would be interested in is that the reason for not working was not because you were actively looking and couldn't find a role (makes me question your qualifications if other employers found you lacking) and that whatever the issue was, that it will not impact your ability to do the job. So you may just want to say that you had some personal/family issues to take care of so you paused your job search, and now that its resolved, you can give the job search the attention it requires.

Cindy Faria ⋅ Pensacola, FL University of West Florida ⋅ 25 years experience

Be honest without giving specifics of your medical condition. Focus on what you can do for the organization. If you will need an accommodation for a disability, tell them you will be requesting one, again, assuring them you will be able to complete the essential functions of the job and contribute. Familiarize yourself with the reasonable accommodations requirements of the Americans with Disability Act. Approach this issue in a professional, cooperative manner, assuming they are fully aware of the law and their responsibilities. Focus on your abilities, not what you cannot do! Keep a positive attitude. Sell them on what you can contribute to their organization. Don't forget to smile. My mother taught me that everything goes better when you smile. Good luck!

Steven Heugel ⋅ Elyria, OH Ohio Department of Job & Family Services ⋅ 16 years experience

Hi Francisco: Depending on how long you have not actually worked, can you share that with us? I always like the phrase..."I haven't found a good fit" when asked by an interviewer as to why my clients are not working for any given amount of time. Also, "I was looking to reinvent myself" But another good reply if the medical side does come up ( which you're not obligated to divulge that anyway), would be..."it's no longer an issue" What do you think?