Freshly graduated from my psychology program and enrolled in my graduate MSW program, I am applying for my first job as a residential counselor for mentally ill adults. I don’t have any job experience in this field yet, but I DO have a mentally ill father who for years has depended on me for help with multiple life maintenance tasks that parallel the new job requirements.
Should I mention in my cover letter that I am taking care of my sick dad and that it’s given me years worth of similar experience? Or would that be TMI for an employer?
Thank you.
I don’t think mentioning it in your cover letter is a good idea but certainly bring it up during the interview.
I’m neither, but 65% of my coworkers are social workers and psychologists. I’d predict that at most they’d suggest this only be brought up during an interview as a response to the question “What first interested you in this line of work?”
Could you put it in as “volunteer experience” and not mention it’s your dad (until the interview)?
Not a mental health professional, but that’s roughly how I snuck in ‘and my son has ASD’ when applying for my current job working with ASD kids.
I put in its own paragraph: “Furthermore, I have years of personal, first-hand experience with managing many of the personal care tasks and life maintenance needs required for this position.” She can ask me about it in the interview if she’s interested.
Thanks for the advice, everyone.