Should I Tell a Potential Employer About My Medical Problems?
I'm going to be graduating in a few weeks, and some of the jobs I'm applying to are requesting transcripts. I have no problem submitting my transcript, but I'm not sure how to address the fact that due to a health condition my grades have fluctuated greatly - with periods of As contrasted with periods of Cs. My health problem is fully under control now (and it's fairly common), but it is something that affects my ability to focus and concentrate, and if untreated would have implications on my work performance. I would like to address my lower grades, but I'm not sure how (of if) to do this without compromising my application. Is there any way to acknowledge my transcript and assure potential employers that this health condition won't affect my future performance? (Also, most recently my grades have been high, so I have some evidence that the condition is under control).
Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't bring it up. Your most recent grades are high, and this is generally the most important. Many people struggle in their first years of college, health problems or not. What's important is that you demonstrated that you can pull it all together.
The other important thing is that the grades in your relevant classes are high. For example, if I'm hiring you for an accounting position, I don't really care if you got a C in French, as long as your accounting grades are good. On the other hand, if it's a job translating things into French, that C is a big problems.
Rest assured, once you get your first job, your actual transcripts won't matter in most jobs. We care what you can do now, not what you did in school. (Although some companies will ask for the information for forever. This is silliness, but I can't stop them.)
The reason, though, I tell you not to bring up your health issues as you are applying might be a bit counter-intuitive. In 1990 the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) became law. This prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations. I have no idea if your problem falls under this category or not. But if it does, you may be thinking, "Yeah, they can't discriminate against me!" Well, yes, that is true.
The problem is, the employment rates for disabled individuals actually fell after the law was enacted. Why? Lots of speculation on that part. Possibly, employers are more hesitant to hire people protected by this law because it's much more difficult to terminate someone. Employers end up having to prove that they fired someone for reasons other than their disabilities, rather than being able to terminate for any reason or no reason as they can with other employees. Possibly, they fear that accommodations will be too expensive or time consuming. I don't know for sure.
So, what I don't want happening to you is a recruiter or hiring manager reading your cover letter where you state you were ill, but it is now under control and have them wonder (even subconsciously) if you're going to require accommodations, want to use lots of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) time, and sue if fired. That puts a black mark against you.
With unemployment rates being high, there are a million and one reasons not to hire any particular candidate. So, it's easier for a company not to hire you than it is to defend why they are firing you later. (Not that hiring companies should be planning to fire anyone, but it happens.) So, by you disclosing from the beginning that you have health problems, it's going to make them leery.
Instead, point out your strong areas, network like crazy and find a job. If your condition is likely to affect your work, after you receive the offer (and perhaps after you have started the job), you can bring up the situation with your Human Resources Department. At that point it will be too late for them to fret about any accommodations you may or may not need. (And for the record, if it's completely controlled then the condition may not qualify for ADA protection, but I say that not as an expert or attorney in the area. I don't give either legal or medical advice, so don't take what I am saying as that.)
As I said, lots of people have some bad grades on their transcripts. If you are asked about it in in an interview, be honest. "I was ill, but I've recovered and you can tell by my last two semesters that [blah, blah, blah]." Always keep it positive. Never complain about how the school wouldn't let you take an incomplete or take a semester off or whatever unfair thing happened to you. Be positive, don't freak out, and work hard and hopefully success will come.
Photo by DigiSmile Photography (aka Rob n Amy C), Flickr cc 2.0
