Hi Oytun, 

Thanks for writing to us. Glad to hear that you’re healthy now. Congrats on getting close to finishing your program and obtaining your master’s degree!

The first thing to know is that your diagnosis is confidential and in general, you are not obligated to disclose a medical condition in a job application or during an interview (or even after you are hired). There are of course some nuances to this so for more information I recommend watching our webinar on disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online. You can also check out the section of our website on legal rights: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/legal-and-financial .

Your resume and cover letter are static documents designed to get you a first interview so we generally recommend that people don’t disclose anything about their health,  but instead use that space to highlight achievements, sell yourself and align your skills and abilities with the company and job in question. Here are some strategies for dealing with a resume gap: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/resume-cover-letter/resume-gap.

One method we 've found successful for fielding questions regarding gaps in employment is called “The Swivel”, which addresses a question asked by an interviewer and then redirects the conversation towards your actual goals and skillset for the job. For example, saying “There was a family situation that I had to attend to, but it’s been resolved and I’m fully prepared to meet the responsibilities of this job. Let me tell you how…” is perfectly acceptable. It answers the question of why there is a gap, and no one would argue with the fact that cancer can be considered “a family situation.” But more importantly, it moves the conversation towards the opportunity at hand, thus leaving the interview to move forward from there. Practicing your response is key, so that you feel comfortable when answering.  It’s important to remind yourself of your many accomplishments, none of which should be overshadowed by taking time off for treatment and recovery. For more info on “The Swivel”: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing/the-swivel.

It’s also essential remember that in general you are under no legal obligation to disclose your medical history and/or any medical conditions to your prospective or current employer, but ultimately it’s a personal decision. However, if you need to access a reasonable accommodation you may have to disclose some information to show you’re entitled to it, but may choose not to disclose during the interview process and instead wait until you receive an offer to request an accommodation or even wait until you have started the job. For more information on disclosure, I recommend watching our webinar: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2019-webinar-online

And you might think that if you weren’t taking classes, you have nothing to show prospective employers — but that isn’t necessarily the case. Did you do any volunteering, take any online courses or attend conferences or anything else that would show you were using or building your skillset? If not, that’s completely okay. Focusing on your health was the most important thing to do—but it there anything you did/or can do now to help make yourself more marketable?

I’ve included some additional resources you might find useful:

• Resume review service (free program where a professional coach will review your resume and provide feedback to help you refine it towards your current work goals): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new
  


• Resume & Cover Letter advice: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new
  

• Job Search webinar: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/job-search
  


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

• Article on job-hunting after cancer treatment: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-hunting-after-cancer-treatment
  

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

Kind regards,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Senior Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers