I may be discharged next year due to a medical condition which is disqualifying for service, but is otherwise well-managed. How do I address this with possible employers?
Especially while I'm still waiting for a decision, and don't know for sure that I'm out?
The reason I ask, it's unusual to leave the service at 15 years, especially as a pilot, unless you're passed-over for promotion; it's so close to 20. I understand medical issues are private, but won't it look like I'm hiding something if I say I'm separating for "personal reasons" or a similar obfuscation?
Thanks for all the great advice so far. I've been soaking up the podcasts as I prepare for the possible transition.
Thanks for any advice you all can provide.
Respectfully,
Nathan
Be as honest as you can
Nathan,
I can tell you are not comfortable talking about the condition. I would encourage you to talk to some people outside of service before you decide if this condition needs to be kept a secret or not. Many places and many conditions hold far less stigma outside the military than they do inside.
That said, as an employer I am not going to care if you have a condition if it is not going to impact your work for me. My directs have shared some very personal things with me that I hold in confidence and always will. Not all bosses need to know on the other hand.
I will keep you in my thoughts and hope that things work out for the best.
Thanks.
Actually, I'm comfortable talking about it personally, and would have no problem telling my boss, but I worry about saying too much to a potential employer. Would they see it as potentially expensive to their benefits plan? Would they worry about me taking time off, because even though I SAY it's well managed, they may think I'm being optimistic.
I appreciate that in the civilian world people deal with all sorts of chronic conditions, so maybe it's not such a big deal. I will ask around, as you recommend.
Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes.
Nathan
As a civilian hiring manager
As a civilian hiring manager I would not know that being discharged after 15 years is unusual. I think many people, myself included, over think how to answer of why they left a job, when the circumstances are anything less than ideal. I've found that the simplest truthful answer is best.
Without knowing the details I'm assuming that the medical condition disqualifies you from being a pilot, but not necessarily from say working in an office or driving a car. If that is true and you are not applying for civilian positions to be a pilot, then I would simply state something along the lines of: “I left the military because I had a minor medical condition that prevented me from continuing to fly planes”. Or “I will be leaving the military because in a recent physical I was diagnosed with a chronic medical condition that disqualifies me from military service.” With follow up answers as need (so long as these are truthful): “The condition is easily managed. I am by civilian standards healthy and able to meet all of the physical requirements for this position.”
I do recommend checking out the podcasts in which Mark talks about being fired, even though that is not your specific situation. One is http://www.manager-tools.com/2011/03/getting-fired-part-1, but I know Mark has mentioned it in many others. The interview series is also great for preparing for interviews.
I think you are good on the years
I can add in that I would have no idea about 15 years being any different than 20 years. It would more than likely look more impressive that you were a pilot for 15 years just to begin with. Good luck with your resume Nathan!
Thanks again
Good to know it's not the "red flag" I thought it was.