Ask HN: Solved my ADHD. How to handle this in interviews?
I'm preparing to interview at top-tier firms -- I especially want to work at Google. The problem is that I've had some mental issues that have held back my career development. I have accomplishments: I've shipped hit iPhone games. I've been told that I'm the best programming teacher that a student's ever had. But, I've gotten a reputation as a really smart guy who's easy to work with, but who's slow to deliver. Thing is, as of 2017 -- I've solved this problem to my satisfaction. How do I handle this discrepancy between potential and results / references when applying to jobs?
I'm 40 ish; I started University three years early, but failed out in my last year.
Around 2001-2002, I was diagnosed with Adult ADHD, and started taking meds. I developed severe side-effects and had to stop.
After that I bounced back and forth between jobs and being self-employed every 1-3 years. The same lack of focus was just deadly to any kind of entrepreneurship.
Fast forward to 2016. Got separated, sold house. Bailed on teaching gigs. Almost died. Basically, shit the bed.
To start 2017, I stopped drinking alcohol and caffeine. This greatly improved my sleep quality. All of a sudden it was no problem to get up at 6:30 am, and I had better concentration throughout the day.
A couple of months ago I started taking a new generation of ADD meds (Strattera). The results have been remarkable! I simply don't procrastinate. Total game changer!
So there's this radical increase in my effectiveness now that I want to use as a positive when applying to jobs. How should I handle what I consider to be this greatly positive change? If I don't mention it, then there are obvious questions about why I haven't progressed further, or why my businesses haven't succeeded. If I mention it, do I screw myself?
I'm preparing to interview at top-tier firms -- I especially want to work at Google. The problem is that I've had some mental issues that have held back my career development. I have accomplishments: I've shipped hit iPhone games. I've been told that I'm the best programming teacher that a student's ever had. But, I've gotten a reputation as a really smart guy who's easy to work with, but who's slow to deliver. Thing is, as of 2017 -- I've solved this problem to my satisfaction. How do I handle this discrepancy between potential and results / references when applying to jobs?
I'm 40 ish; I started University three years early, but failed out in my last year.
Around 2001-2002, I was diagnosed with Adult ADHD, and started taking meds. I developed severe side-effects and had to stop.
After that I bounced back and forth between jobs and being self-employed every 1-3 years. The same lack of focus was just deadly to any kind of entrepreneurship.
Fast forward to 2016. Got separated, sold house. Bailed on teaching gigs. Almost died. Basically, shit the bed.
To start 2017, I stopped drinking alcohol and caffeine. This greatly improved my sleep quality. All of a sudden it was no problem to get up at 6:30 am, and I had better concentration throughout the day.
A couple of months ago I started taking a new generation of ADD meds (Strattera). The results have been remarkable! I simply don't procrastinate. Total game changer!
So there's this radical increase in my effectiveness now that I want to use as a positive when applying to jobs. How should I handle what I consider to be this greatly positive change? If I don't mention it, then there are obvious questions about why I haven't progressed further, or why my businesses haven't succeeded. If I mention it, do I screw myself?