Oh, Rhonda,  your situation is both heartbreaking and infuriating.  I can see why you may be discouraged, but  at the same time, I applaud you for turning what was a very challenging time in your life into a statement of power and personal presence.  That is exactly what we survivors have to do... RISE UP!  Congratulations on overcoming your cancer, and on telling a story that most likely will empower others to overcome, too.  

The discrimination you describe is reality for many of us survivors.  However, from your story, it seems you may be encountering blatant ageism, potentially coupled with discrimination about your cancer survivor status.   The questions about your mom's age and what war your dad fought in are completely illegal, btw, though that is really no consolation.   It seems the interviewer was trying to get around the law by playing cute with the questions... That said, that organization is not one where you may choose to work, if you had to deal with that sort of gameplaying every day,  that's for sure.

If you would like a legal reference to get a bit of good advice about these occurances, I recommend checking out our resources database.  You can find it by clicking on "Looking for Work" then on the Resources box.  There are several legal resources there that may help you put your situation in focus and give you some good ideas on positioning your search approach to overcome such ignorance.

In the meantime, what do you do about it as your continue your search?  Let's do some brainstorming here.  You may have tried the suggestions I have to offer, but if not, they are worth considering so that you work your search from all possible angles.

1) First, do some research on all the potential applications for your skills.  You can check out a government resources called O-Net that will give you ideas for keywords, potential types of employers for people in your profession etc.   Since it sounds like you live in the Midwest where the automotive industry drives much of the employment market, you will have to figure out how to immunize yourself from the ups and downs of that industry.   Try taking an inventory of local firms that may be potential targets for you, widening yoru search potential by including some of the following: governmental agencies, college and university advancement offices and alumni organizations, hospital PR departments, not-for-profit organizations, TV stations, newspapers' online sites, advocacy groups, political organzations, marketing firms, manufacturing organizations outside of the automotive industry, as well as those in that arena.  You can even include professional and semi-professional sports teams and their organizations, builders, Chambers of Commerce, realtor's etc.  

2) Once you have a list, check out the organizations online using a tool called Glassdoor.com.  This site gives you a wealth of information including interview questions, reviews from employees, culture info, CEO statements etc.   From the information, you can better prepare to position yourself into the firms that seem to be a good fit for you and your skills.

3) Consider submitting your resume to our Resume Review Service that you can find under the Looking for Work tab. And, once you have that input, also consider building an alternative resume called an Infographic Resume.  You can find out how to create one and see samples by Googling "Infographic Resume".  Your skillset is particularly well suited for this type of presentation along with your portfolio.

4) This next suggestion is critical to your success.  Be sure you have an up to date, powerful LinkedIn profile.   95% of all recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn today to source candidates.  it is imperative that you are active on LinkedIn, with a current and enticing profile, in order to attract the attention of these hiring managers.   Use the Help section of LinkedIn to learn the latest tips to make your profile stand out.   Then, be sure to share your short LinkedIn URL on your resume or in your cover letter so that others can find you.  (Oh, and make sure your profile is searchable, open to all, so watch those privacy settings.)

4) Consider attending the job search webinars and the National Conference on Work and Cancer that CAC is sponsoring. You can learn more about these events under the Events tab above.   The conference is such a great way to get connected and to learn from others with similar experiences, not to mention hearing from national experts on work and cancer, job search and legal issues.   Well worth the day if you happen to live close enough, or have the funds to attend.  Unfortunately, the deadline for travel scholarships has past, but you can still register for the June 23rd conference in the Events link above.

5) Finally, don't give up!  Network, Network, Network, as it is still a great way to get the word out.. and check out freelance and telework options to tide you over such as GURU.com, FlexJobs.com, Fiver, and other temp work sites.  Many of these are listed in the resources database under Looking for Work.

Rhonda,  your note above tells quite a story.. .one that many of us have experienced in one way or another  But it also projects strength, a sense of humor, and a determination that you can harness to land that next job or gig.   Keep striving, keep learning and don't give up.   

Wishing you only the best that this next step in life has to offer!

Warmly,

Kathy Flora

CAC Career Coach and your Sister in Survival

Hi Rhonda,

Thanks for writing to us.  I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had difficulty with your job search, but it sounds like you have an impressive amount of talent and work experience in multi-media.  Unfortunately, discrimination in many forms is still a reality in the world we live in.

In terms of removing your posted documentary and taking it off your resume, that is a personal call.  Other things to consider: could you find a way to tell the story of where you are now, I recognize that that might not be feasible from a filming perspective but could you frame the film more clearly to show that it is the past wherever it is posted? Or could you blog about the experience of going from that time to now so that there is more to the story you have shared publicly than this one film about your cancer experience? You may also want to try taking it down and off your resume and apply for something and see what happens.

It’s important to remember that in general you are under no legal obligation to disclose your medical history and/or any medical conditions to your employer (prospective or otherwise), but ultimately it’s a personal decision.  It’s important to be aware that many employers conduct online searches on job candidates during the hiring process, so managing your online brand to determine what they can view/not view is necessary. CAC has a great deal of information about disclosure, so to start I would recommend the following: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online. 

Kathy has provided some wonderful insight, and the following resources may be helpful as well:

• Interview Resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing (check out the mock interview section specifically so you can do some run throughs in advance)


• Job Search Toolkit (2nd Edition): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new (features a advice on improving resumes, cover letters; interview and networking tips and other useful tools to help you during a job search)


• The Swivel Technique: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing/the-swivel (specifically addresses a way to manage the gap on your resume question, the key is to come with one that works for you and practice, practice, practice)


• Resume Review Service: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new
  

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at cancerandcareers@cew.org or 646-929-8032.

Best of luck,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers