How to explain a history of addiction? Be honest, don't dwell on it and look ahead

Q: I left a good job two years ago as a result of alcoholism and addiction. I received and completed extensive treatment and have been in recovery for more than 12 months. I have been receiving disability income, but the time is approaching when that will no longer be available. I am eager to return to professional employment.

How should I approach potential employers? What should I expect in terms of their reactions?

NICK'S REPLY: Good for you for getting through a treatment program and starting on the road to recovery. Enjoy every minute of the life you have ahead of you.

I would not bring up your addiction, nor would I hide it. Let the employer ask what you've been doing for the past year and briefly explain. Do not dwell on it.

I want to emphasize how important your attitude and behavior are. Some employers will hold the past against you more than others. Your job is to influence them. Be candid, but focus on the employer's business, problems and challenges -- and on how you're going to help tackle these. I know that Alcoholics Anonymous teaches "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." But I also believe that a person is defined more by behavior than by constitution. Act like the person you want to be, and others will respond accordingly.

You can influence how people judge you by concentrating on their needs. Keep the discussion on the employer's business problems and on how you can help, and reiterate your commitment to doing the job. In the end, what people notice most is whether we are paying attention to them and whether we make a commitment. That's your challenge.

Disclose your addiction if you are asked, but explain your abilities and make a pledge to do the job without incident. That's how you will be judged. That's why a company will hire you. You will get a lot of no's. Don't ponder that too much. For each failure you experience, remember that you need just one good employer to say yes.

THE HEADHUNTER TIP:

How to start networking effectively

1. A boilerplate objective on your resume.

The best networking advice I ever got came from my friend Harry, who hired me into the search business. I was fresh out of grad school, where I had been living on a $3,200 annual stipend. Suddenly, I was making real money.

I asked Harry what the secret to the headhunting business was. His answer: "Do favors for people by introducing them to one another. Don't expect anything in return, because that takes care of itself. But you have to be patient, and there is one more thing."

I remember him grinning. "Spend every nickel you make this year taking those people to lunch. Then sit and listen and learn all you can. Don't expect anything. Don't ask for anything. Make friends."

Harry was absolutely right. He was a pure capitalist. No expectation of return -- but invest everything you have. That's how I learned to network successfully.

Copyright 2009. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.