Sue M. on February 28, 2017
Interviewing
I finished treatment for ovarian cancer in Nov and I'm in remission. My hair is starting to come in. It's very short and silver (I've been a blonde for years). I am getting a lot of compliments on it and feel comfortable going without a hat or wig. I have an interview next week. I'm afraid that if I go to interview without a wig, the interviewer will know I'm a cancer patient especially since I have a 8 month gap in working. If I decide to wear the wig, and interviewer asks about 8 month gap, what is best way to respond?
If I do wear the wig and get an offer, how do I handle wearing the wig one day and then going without the wig?
1 Comment
Nicole Franklin, MPH
Mar 2, 2017
Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:
Hi Sue, Thanks for writing to us. I’m happy to hear that you have completed treatment and are in remission. Also congratulations on the interview! You’ve posed very important questions about the job search and interview process, some that are relevant to many survivors. Two recent posts on Ask A Career Coach, asked about how to address hair loss and resume gaps at an interview too. Although every experience is unique, I thought the responses may also be helpful to you: • http://www.cancerandcareers.org/career-coach/how-to-address-hair-loss-at-in • http://www.cancerandcareers.org/career-coach/how-to-account-for-time-spent I have sent your question over to our coaches who will be in touch soon. In the meantime, we have a number of job search resources that I recommend you check out (if you haven't already): • Webinar on disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online • 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) • Blog on Answering Tough Interview Questions: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/blog/answering-tough-interview-ques (this shows how the Swivel can work with an array of complex questions that might come up) We also have an upcoming Job Search webinar on March 8th. You can find more information and register here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-jobsearch2017 Also, don’t forget that though your cancer experience may be front and center in your mind, the people you meet with during interviews are unlikely to have that be a top-of-mind assumption for them. Some people have fabulous short hair and a gap on their resume having nothing to do with cancer. And, everyone has something to overcome in a job interview. The most important thing you can do is be prepared by having practiced interviewing so you can sell your unique skills and show them that you are the best for the job, doing research on both the company and the people you are meeting with and reminding yourself of your many accomplishments none of which are diminished by a gap on your resume. Best of luck on your interview and a coach will be in touch soon! Kind regards, Nicole Franklin, MPH Manager of Programs Cancer and Careers
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