ย ๐ Seeking advice: Re-entering the workforce after being fired from my first software dev job for medical reasons a couple years ago.
Hey everyone! ๐ Have any of you gone through a similar situation where you had to re-enter the workforce after a gap due to medical reasons? I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice!
Here’s a bit of my story: I was let go from my first software dev job a couple years ago because of narcolepsy, which caused me to fall asleep at work. Now that I’ve tackled my narcolepsy and improved my skills, I’m ready to jump back into the tech world. But I’m struggling with how to explain the resume gap to potential employers.
Here are some questions I have:
– How do I address the gap in my resume due to medical reasons?
– How can I showcase the skills and experience I’ve gained during this time off?
– Any tips on how to make myself appealing to employers despite the resume gap?
One possible solution I’ve been considering is:
– Being honest about my medical condition and how I’ve overcome it to show resilience and determination.
– Highlighting the skills I’ve developed during this time through personal projects and freelance work.
– Emphasizing my passion for software development and eagerness to contribute to a new team.
I would really appreciate any advice or insights you have to offer! Let’s help each other navigate this challenge and get back on track in our careers. ๐ช #SoftwareDevelopment #MedicalReasons #CareerAdvice #ResumeGap #ReturningToWork #NarcolepsyWarrior
If I were in your shoes, I might just be honest and say that I had then-unmedicated narcolepsy, but now it’s medicated and won’t be a problem. As far as I’m aware, it’s not like autism (which caused me issues in my first SWE job, when I was undiagnosed) where people might think “eww weirdo let’s not hire him” if you tell them during the interview process.
Say it was a medical problem that was unknown, discovered, and now completely under control. Don’t be specific.