Should i mention my depression at a second interview for a job i really want?
You should not mention your depression at the interview. It will seriously hurt your chances of getting hired. It could even lead to an automatic rejection of you for the job. The depression is a personal issue that the potential employer does not need to know about. When they check your references, it is highly unlikely that any of them are going to talk about your depression. They may want to confirm how long you worked at your previous jobs and if you were a good worker. Your health should not be an issue. If the HR person asks about your sick leave, you can say that you needed time off for a personal situation. Do not talk about the depression as an ongoing problem. It will hurt your chances of getting the job.
It has nothing to do with them, and does not have any bearing on whether you can do the job or not. If you had 6 weeks off with a broken leg would you bring it up at interview and promise never to play any active sports again in future in case it happens again?! Of course not. If you get the post and IF in future your depression comes back, you should ensure you talk to your manager (or HR) immediately. Most employers will have lots of resources at their disposal to help you get through the black periods. I recently had a relapse into clinical depression, after, like you, 10 years of managing it my self without drugs or therapy. My employer was wonderful, offering sick leave, a phased return to work, access to a counsellor and regular meetings with a dedicated HR manager to help me discuss coping strategies. When I took the job 3 years ago I didn’t tell them that I had a history of depressive periods, but have they held this against me? Of course not – they just want to help me through
