Navigating job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone. Those in addiction recovery face additional obstacles.
Navigating Interviews in Recovery
While you are balancing work and recovery, it can be difficult to explain your situation in job interviews. Preparing for these interviews can therefore be a source of extra stress.
Using the following skills, you can be set up for success in navigating any interview. This is a great way to make the interview work for you.
Change Your Mindset
Going to a job interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are anxious about the questions you will be asked or the rejection you may face. To combat this anxiety, it can be helpful to change your mindset.
For example, try walking into the interview as if you already have the position. If you think of yourself as the interviewer, you likely will feel less stress throughout the conversation.
With this mindset, you may also find it easier to ask the interviewer about the company and the role. This is generally a smart thing to do in interviews, as it shows interest in the position. If you do your research ahead of time, you can bring up something you’ve learned about the company and ask for more details about it.
Be Upfront
When interviewing for a job, it is essential to be honest about your past experiences, including addiction and recovery. Although it may be tempting to hide this information, being upfront about it demonstrates your commitment to recovery and willingness to accept responsibility for any errors made. Doing this helps build trust between you and the potential employer, demonstrating that you are serious about improving yourself.
Of course, there is no legal obligation to disclose this information. The amount of detail you decide to provide is up to you.
One benefit of being open about your recovery is that it helps you find out if your prospective employer is willing to work with your recovery commitments. If they are not willing to work with you, it may be more difficult to keep your recovery commitments while in that job.
Come Prepared for Your Interviews
Before arriving at the interview, ensure you have done your research ahead of time on the company and job description. Also, look for common interview questions to prepare responses in advance. Practicing these responses makes you feel more at ease during the actual interview.
Having a list of skills and experience related to the job makes it easier to provide specific examples of how you can contribute to the business. Interviews tend to be intimidating, but preparing for the interview beforehand can ease some of this anxiety.
A part of coming to an interview prepared may require you to be ready to address gaps in your employment. Many individuals in recovery find that they have to explain long periods of employment gaps due to the hardships of their substance use, arrests, or other factors related to substance use disorder (SUD). Figuring out in advance how you will address these gaps will ease your anxiety going into the interview. You can use these experiences to highlight your personal growth.
Be Mindful of Triggers
This step is extremely important when searching for job opportunities. It is important to look for a job that will not remind you of substance use.
For example, working as a server in a restaurant that serves alcohol may not be a great idea if being around alcohol is a trigger point for you. This may be an obvious issue, but a triggering environment can also be more subtle. For instance, if you used to use substances every day after your office job, a job in a similar setting may bring back these memories.
Being mindful of the triggers that may come along can help you prepare for the future.
Utilize Job Opportunity Workstations
At Dream Recovery, we provide job opportunity workstations. These can help our clients find employment or education opportunities.
You can use our computers to fill out applications and practice interviewing techniques with our staff on-site. These workstations can also be extremely beneficial in helping you to prepare for interviews. For example, you can practice the conversations surrounding your recovery obligations.
Be Confident in Your Interviews
Confidence has various benefits throughout your recovery journey. Utilizing your confidence in job interviews can go a long way.
If you are nervous or anxious about your interviews, try to project confidence and enthusiasm for the position and your abilities. This can help you make a favorable impression on your potential employers. Remember that you possess valuable skills and experiences to offer. Communicate those skills confidently during your interview to show why you are an ideal candidate. If you believe this, the hiring employers will have an easier time believing it as well.
Many factors in an interview can throw your emotions off balance. Utilizing these techniques can help you to be as prepared as possible going into any interview.
Remember, even if an interview does not go well, there are more opportunities out there. It can be easy to set our minds to one specific outcome. However, keeping an open mind can help you to accept the potential barriers that come your way. Allow yourself to be proud of what you bring to the table. You will soon find an employment opportunity where your values are respected.
Job interviews can be incredibly intimidating for everyone. When going to an interviewing knowing you will likely have to explain your employment gap or discuss your scheduling needs to stay in treatment, you may have additional worries. Using these techniques, you can address these worries as best as possible. Despite your past situation, show the hiring employer what you have to offer now. Showing the changes you have made can often go a long way in a job interview. Instead of using your past as a hinder in employment opportunities, use it to demonstrate your growth, setting you above the others interviewing for the position. To learn more, reach out to Dream Recovery at (657) 216-7218.
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