Going back to work after a long break

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Hi

I should be getting a new job soon. I have been off for a year and done some hobby stuff in that time. But I need to get a job and start earning again.

I wonder if anyone on here thinks it a good idea to explain to any new employer about AS, or whether I should tell them I left my last job through illness?

I think they may find out when they seek a reference.

I know this is an age old question but I wonder if it is worth it to tell them first?

I sometimes overexplain, about all sorts of things, and then I realize it's going poorly and kind of feel trapped and I get nervous (it's not that I'm really trapped. It's more that I'm talking in paragraphs, not sentences. I'm in my mode of all-sending, no-receiving. So I'm only trapped in the sense of not knowing how it's going because I haven't been paying attention as we go along and haven't been giving the other person a chance to ping-pong back and forth.) It's not the content of what I'm saying, it's the context of too much all at once.

So, I recommend keeping it brief. Kind of like the principle with some works of art, Less is more. Maybe something like the following:

'I want you to know that I like other people just fine. I do have somewhat patchy social skills. That is, I am nerd.'

The other person might say, that he or she is a nerd, too. Or, we're all nerds.

That's good. So, if I make social mistakes, that's probably the reason. And just let me know.

[so you'd be making a medium step, seeing how the person responds, and then on another occasion if you so choose, you can make another medium step]

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And really, I think it's okay to disclose. I think it's okay not to disclose.

Wishing you well with your new endeavor!

i am also looking for work after a year out following my autism diagnosis and depression.

in my case i think its definitely best not to say anything about health issues and paper over answers telling them things they would prefer to hear.

all they care about is if you can do a job for them or not. they are assessing your skills, knowledge and character and health shouldnt really need to be mentioned. plus you need to talk to your references before you let the reply......they dont have to give reasons for leaving either.

I wouldn't talk to my former employer at all. Most of my anguish last year was caused by them and my weird boss. I will keep my mouth shut and fingers crossed that they only give out the dates that I worked there. I think most employers only do that anyway.

It sounds like we have had similar experience. Last year I finally took my diagnosis seriously after being in denial for a long time.

i recently joined a job teaching in a NGO for underprivilaged children
I did tell my Asst Manager indirectly that i suffer from depression
maybe you can try finding a low profile job initially and see whether it
works out for you.
I am finding it quite difficult though since everyone just keeps observing
me at work place
and im quite different

I believe that in the US these days it's typical for an "employment reference" to expect only "yes, this person started work here 2004 January and ceased in 2006 August, at a salaried rate of $X at the time of departure." A coworker or supervisor's reference, however, will tend to be more detailed. You can expect your prospective employer to back-check one or two jobs just to make sure you did in fact have those jobs at the times your resume specifies. Hopefully you didn't have problems interacting with absolutely everyone at your last place.

They seem to observe me no matter what I tell them. People at work are so dull and boring that anyone who isn't is treated as a curiosity. I am searching for a lower profile job, but the recession is bad in britain.

The problem with references is due to the data protection act in britain. Most of my old employers told me as I was leaving that they can only give out the dates I worked there. Character references are different and the prospective employer has to give their own referees which could be anyone. I shouldn't worry I suppose, it just annoys me that employers can refuse to confirm that you even worked there, but its unlikely.