10 Tips for Navigating Job Interviews After Addiction Recovery

10 Tips for Navigating Job Interviews After Addiction Recovery10 Tips for Navigating Job Interviews After Addiction RecoveryWith days, months, or even years of hard-earned sobriety under your belt, youve grown throughyour addiction recovery and might want to shout your progress from the rooftops. But how do you approach job interviews and the job search process?Although you once needed to take life minute by minute or day by day after addiction recovery, youre now forward-focused and ready to launch on a new path toward fulfillment. This could come in the form of a flexible work situation that gives you the freedom to continue prioritizing sobriety while pursuing your next steps.Disclosure can be a thorny issue, but ultimately youre in control of what you do or dont reveal. Reflecting back on your journey doubtless stirs strong emotions, but your decisions about what (if anything) to share, when, and how much should be objective.Choosing to share your truth during job interviews afte r addiction recovery could have consequences, both positive and negative. Setting your intention ahead of an interview and sticking to the plan puts you in the drivers seat.Consider these 10 things when weighing whether or not to open up during job interviews after addiction recoveryBe consistent.This decision isnt made in a vacuum. In the world wide web age, your prospective employer will likely look you up online. If you dont wish to address your recovery during the job hunt, make sure your social media presence is consistent with your wish for privacy. This could mean strengthening your privacy settings or editing existing content.Consider your options. Its not necessarily a Yes or No scenario. There are several points at which you could address your recovery. You could choose to disclose your experiences in a cover letter or application, open up during an interview, wait until after youve been hired, or opt against sharing entirely.Busting the stigma. Choosing to open up about w hat youve been through could help combat preexisting notions people hold about what it means to struggle with substance abuse. This is aspirational and comes at a critical time in the evolution toward viewing addiction as a disease instead of a moral failing. Still, you must choose whats best for you.Focus on strengths. You had to scale mountains and swim oceans to reclaim the best pieces of yourself. Minimum years of experience? Technical skills? Please. You know youre limitless, and theres nothing you cant overcome. If you choose to share, focus on detailing the strengths youve gained because of your experience, and how those strengths could be put to work for your prospective employer.Prepare for prejudice. Unfortunately, discussing your path to recovery may elicit negative reactions from people who dont understand what youve been through. Choosing to bring it up either before or during an interview leaves you vulnerable to judgment and ultimately could cost you a job offer.Be pr epared. If a quick glance at your resume reveals gaps during which you were in active addiction or in treatment, be prepared for questions. Depending on how significant these gaps are, you may feel pressure to disclose some information about your recovery.Be honest. Can you be honest while leise holding back? Short answer yes. You own your story and you dont owe anyone information you arent ready to disclose. If you choose not to share, fight the urge to fabricate explanations for things like gaps in employment. Find a way to bring the conversation back to your strengths instead.The law is on your side. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating against people with substance use disorders who arent currently using drugs. Once hired, you may request reasonable accommodation under the law for medical care and rehabilitation efforts.Knowledge is power. Know your rights. Study the protections afforded to you under applicable state and federal emp loyment laws. Even if you opt against sharing your experience, dont forget to scrutinize the benefits provided by your prospective employer for rehabilitation, counseling, or other potential needs.Find a good fit. Where are you in your recovery? You must consider your own needs when applying for a new position and strive to find a supportive environment. If you would not be comfortable sharing a critical part of your experience with someone up front, would you be comfortable working for them over the long haul?Readers, what have your experiences been during job interviews after opening up about your addiction recovery? Tell us in the comment section below.Robert Yagoda is the executive director ofBeach House Center for Recovery, a drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation center in Juno Beach, Florida. Robert is a licensed mental health counselor and certified addictions professional who hasmore than 10 years of combined clinical and administrative experience in facility-delivered, drug and dual diagnosis treatment.