BubblyRaccoon
BubblyRaccoon
Student

Should be honest about my past struggles of depression/addiction with recruiters when they ask me to explain the 4 year gap in my resume?

JS developer here. I used to be a decent student, public speaker and one of the best quizzers in the college scene (former National Champ). But I never addressed some traumatic events that took place in my life before I turned 16. My depression took refuge in substance abuse and I abandoned all studies/career prospects during the pandemic. Eventually after 7 years of using, I got clean/sober in Jan'23 and resumed my studies. I earned my degree but on paper it took me 8 years to complete a 4 year B. Tech (2016-24).

Reasonably I get asked about the gap in my academics by hr/recruiters whom I push my CV to. I've been dead honest to them about my struggles with mental health and addiction in the past. And I've been getting ghosted. (It could be because of skill reasons on my part but I'm not even getting a feedback).

Should I not tell recruiters the truth about the gap? Should I leave the addiction bit out? How should I word it? I've never held a real coding job before but been slogging for the last 6 months to get better each day (my github and projects will reflect that). Please help me out with all your valuable suggestions. If you're a tech recruiter let me know how you would perceive my case.🙏🥺

11mo ago
SwirlyHamster
SwirlyHamster

Make connections with founders who can bet onto you, increase LinkedIn engagement. Admit that you overcame your addiction on maybe LinkedIn posts. HRs don’t bet on struggling people they just want to have toppers all around. But ig overcoming a bad habit shows more strength and hardwork than any other work.

BubblyRaccoon
BubblyRaccoon
Student11mo

Thanks for the suggestion Sir. I was thinking of making a thread on X/LinkedIn documenting my addiction journey, how I got clean and wrap it up with begging for referals. Even if I don't get any referals atleast my story gets out there I think.
What do you think sir ?

SwirlyHamster
SwirlyHamster

Sir mat bolo bhai I am surely younger than you. Idk how you should go about it, ig it’s something you would have to figure yourself out like you figured the addiction out.

GroovyBoba
GroovyBoba

Don't tell them the truth. HR is full of retards. Make some shit up about some serious injury and use that.

BubblyRaccoon
BubblyRaccoon
Student11mo

Fr?🥺

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by BubblyRaccoonStudent

Sorry if this is the wrong board to post in, I'm desperate. Should I be honest about my past struggles of depression/addiction with recruiters while explaining the 4 year gap in my resume?

[TL;DR former National quizzing champ dropped out of B. Tech in 2020 during peak of addiction and depression . Got over it and sober in Jan'23, resumed college and completed my B. Tech in Feb'24. Picked up coding again and feel ready for...

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You don't have to. They are not your friends and you don't know how someone might take it as. You have been brave ...

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99 percent of folks be it recruiters wont consider your profile. That is the harsh truth. You need to find that 1 per...

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