Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for your reply, and your considered response to my request.

Regards -

Katrina

My pleasure.    Keep in touch, Katrina and let us know how this works out for you or if you need some additional assistance.

Best,

Kathy

I can use some advice about applying for jobs, even though I have yet to have surgery or determine the details of treatment.

I was laid off a few months back (for lack of work) and was diagnosed about 5 weeks later. I had been applying at quite a few prospective employers and had a lot of interest. In fact, I flew cross-country for an interview a few hours after my diagnosis. 

My search has slowed down quite a bit in the 3-4 weeks since the diagnosis; I'm finding that almost daily interfaces with insurance, lining up and having consultations with two surgeons, anesthesia, internist and specialist is taking up quite a bit of time.

I'm able to work now, but I know I will have a sentinel node biopsy within a few weeks and will need reconstructive surgery after that. The surgical site is my forehead, unfortunately and don't see interviewing going very well during the ~6-8 week span of reconstructive surgeries (most likely two).

I figured I would stop my interviews for a few months. If I don't seek work, I can't get any short-term assistance. If I do seek work, it probably won't go well with either large bandages and/or a temporary graft on my face.  

Any advice would be welcome. Thank you.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for writing to us, sorry to hear you were laid off but congratulations on a successful start to your job search. Juggling a job search after a diagnosis is a lot, and it sounds like you've been handling it very well. Your question has been sent over to our coaches who will be in touch soon. 

In the meantime, here are some resources that may be of help:

- It sounds like your resume is getting good responses, but if you would like to refine it at all we have a free Resume Review Service: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new
- Although it's illegal for employers to ask specific questions about your health in an interview, sometimes they do. We have a technique that we recommend using to answer these questions, we call it the Swivel: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/the-swivel
- You seem to have experience interviewing, but it might be helpful to check out our interviewing methods and tips: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interview-methods
- If you're interested in flexible work options or telecommuting, Flexjobs is a great resource (there's a paid membership, if you use the code "CANCER" you will get 50% off): https://www.flexjobs.com/

If you do continue to interview after your surgeries and a prospective employer asks a health related question, you do not have to disclose your cancer diagnosis. You can simply say "I experienced a health issue, it is resolved now and I'm excited about (insert job specific details here)".

Our coaches will be in touch soon. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Best,

Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Kathy, I want to think you again for your very considerate and extensive reply to my original query. I have not yet undertaken your suggestions, but the business of life may be yielding enough for me now to undertake them.

Kind regards

Katrina

And good luck to you, Jim!

Best of luck to you and to Jim!

Thanks, Sarah. I'll look forward to it.

Katrina, sorry to have inadvertently horned in on your thread. My bad - pilot error!

No apologies necessary, Jim. It's very nice to meet you, and I happy to have your story to share this discussion with.

Best wishes for all good things -

Katrina

Jim,

Sounds as
though you have been busy dealing with your diagnosis and I applaud your focus
on putting your health first and career second, at this point.

I couldn’t
find your original posting about your profession and experience.  If you can give me a brief overview I can be
more specific in my recommendations. Let me make a few suggestions in the
meantime.

If you were
laid off, you must be collecting unemployment compensation benefits; that is
one source of income.   You might qualify for Social Security
disability even if you are younger than 65. 
I did.  Once you are able to work
again, you can discontinue your disability status. Check out your States
eligibility.

You can
continue to seek a job while recuperating at home.  Send out resumes, apply online, make calls
and keep a log.  If you get an interview,
you can opt to go or cancel at the last minute claiming to have a flu or
whatever.  I can tell you first hand, Interviewers
often experience appointment cancellations.

Another thing
to do, would be to speak with Temporary and Flexible job recruiters NOW, before
surgery; Your goal would be to land temporary assignments working from
home.  When asked, you can indicate that
you are having surgery that will limit you mobility for a few months. Once you
have registered with an agency, you should not need to come back every time
they have a potential opportunity for you. 
This will also be a good time to sign up for courses online and add now
fields of knowledge to enhance your resume.

Have you
considered looking at jobs at your Cancer Center?  Your appearance might not be an issue in that
environment, particularly if you have no patient/customer contact. Or
potentially providing advocacy services to other patients.  You sound as though you are doing a great job
advocating for yourself.

 I hope some
of these ideas are helpful.

 Margot

Thank You Margot, This was so well done, I really Iike that you provided a step-by-step coaching with references! Thanks again for all the great help. I will try it.

Hi! I'm now a breast cancer conqueror. Before that I was an occupational therapist for 20 years and loved it, except for the last two jobs which did not end well. I was let go because they said I didn't work fast enough (the productivity rate was 90%). They were actually travel jobs which I realize now why they couldn't find any OT in town to do the "impossible" jobs, especially do them and still take good care of the poor patient. Now, I'm reluctant to start searching for a job, really ANY kind, because I won't have good references. Yikes. Any suggestions?
Deborah

Hi Deborah,

Your positive attitude is immediately evident in your words, “I’m now a breast cancer conqueror.”   Yea Deborah!

Now, let’s talk about references and recommendations.

For references, you’ll want to write a list of all the people who know your work strengths.  For example, co-workers, nurses, or other medical personnel with whom you interacted.  Perhaps people in adjunct positions where you worked, such as intake workers, office staff, social workers, or patient care coordinators.  Do you have contacts from volunteer work, or colleagues who know you from OT organizations?  Another suggestion for finding people to put on your list, if you have a LinkedIn profile you can write down names of your ‘connections’ who are familiar with your work.

Circle the names of the people on your list that you would like to ask to be a reference.  Put a box around the names of the people you would like to ask for a recommendation. Some names may have both a box and a circle.   Then choose 3-5 people you want to ask to use as references or to write letters of recommendation.  By having several references, you can decide who is best to list for the specific job for which you are applying.

As for recommendations, look at the names on your list that have a box around them and pick three people you think will write a recommendation for you.  Same as asking someone to be a reference, let each person know you are looking for a new OT job, (or other job category), and would find it helpful to have letters of recommendation.  After the person agrees to write the recommendation, let that person know which of your accomplishments you would like highlighted.  For example, you might say: “We worked together at XYZ facility.  You’ve watched me create makeshift tools to use with patients, and you have told me how well organized I am.  Could you please mention that in your letter?”  Really, people find it helpful when you are specific about which of your skills you want discussed, or what projects you want mentioned. 

Keep a file for yourself of the recommendations, and the contact information of people who agree to be references.  It is a good idea to send a note of thanks to each person who agrees to be a reference and to those people who write a recommendation for you.  Tell the person about the outcome or progress of your job search.

Before approaching prospective employers, you will want to practice your explanation for leaving your jobs.  The Swivel article Nicole directed you to, may help you think about what you want to say.  If you would find it helpful to get feedback, you can post some of the ways you are considering responding to “why did you leave your last job?”  And, I know you will inject your positive attitude in your response.

Let us know how your job search is progressing.

Take care,

Arona Fay Roshal                                                                                                                                                                                                       Career Coach