Randall

First
let me add further encouragement about your diagnosis.  I too was diagnosed with inoperable NSCLC
stage 3 in 2007.  While I progressed to
stage 4 in 2010, my current clinical trial has resulted in NED for the past
year.  We are examples of survivors
beating the odds and the daunting prognosis.

 I
understand your frustration and surprise at not being viewed as a great
candidate for the position of Outreach Manager. Let me offer another perspective: as an achiever, a resilient survivor you might
have withered away at a government job. 
I suspect that you might have found the environment stifling and perhaps
never able to make inroads you would have desired. Maybe it was the wrong job for you.

 As to your question about bringing attention
to having had cancer as part of the application process to target jobs – this is
risky and would probably not work in your favor in most situations as you still
have to deal with forms of discrimination and perhaps ignorant perception.   Not
all HR professionals and hiring managers are enlightened.

 I
would recommend, instead,  that you focus
on promoting the competencies you acquired from your personal and business
experiences in both your personal introduction, verbally and in a cover letter.
For instance it might include: 
Resilience, ability to adjust to changing conditions, determination,
overcoming obstacles, a focus on goals, resourceful, change agent, effective
advocate and perhaps more.

 I
would also suggest that you might find a better environment, for your talents,
in the non-profit world, foundations and special interest (non-governmental)
agencies , private advocacy organizations, and perhaps in some healthcare environments. Unfortunately many healthcare positions
require advanced degrees even for positions that could be performed effectively
by experienced, talented and trained facilitators.   Be sure to create a resume or bio that tailors
your experience to the targeted position. 
It’s about translating your experience for the job you want, not the job
you’ve had.

 I hope this is helpful to you in redirecting your efforts to a next career step that can be very rewarding to you. Build and use your network in identifying the next position.

Margot

Hi My name is Toni, and I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma Cancer in October of last year, I had to get my right kidney removed.

I wasn't too sure how things would turn out, but GOD has made a way out of no way for me! I'm so grateful to HIM and my doctors. I've been thinking of a career change, but I felt (1) I'm too old. (2) What would I do? (3)With a Cancer diagnosis will I be able to get  health insurance with a new job? I'm so glad I found a site that address  issues for people with cancer or who had cancer, or in remission with cancer.

I always joke around saying I'm gonna hit the Lottery! as of today...not happening :)

I am in this boat right now. I have been working as an IT project manager for the last 2.5 years. The position is an open ended contract. Half a year into my employment I was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer and my oncologist gave me half a year to a year. One and a half years I am still around, kicking and screaming and working as hard as ever. I was now told that my contract is over the end of this month. Now it means finding a new job and I am not sure how to approach the matter of me having cancer. Even if I don't bring it up in the interview, which I am not required to, eventually it will come up due to doctor visits, chemo therapy, being not as cheery the days after chemo. I have at all times being able to do my work and all my projects went live successfully. My current employer and even the agency I was getting the position through talk very highly of me and supported me in all aspects. At one point last year I even was invited as a keynote speaker at a client conference at one of our 3rd party service provider.

I know I am able to do my job, but how do I convince a potential future employer. If it ever comes to the point where I would not be able to perform as needed I would be the first to make the decision to pull out, rather than hanging on and making things potentially more difficult for the organization,  my peers and colleagues...

Oliver

As I read your post, and hear you say that you would get a
good recommendation from your current employer, I would suggest the following.

I agree that you should not mention your cancer in
the interview.  The only question that
can be legally asked in the interview, after they have described the job and
their expectations, is: 

Can you perform this job with and/ or without
accommodations?

If you are asked whether you have health issues that prevent
you from doing the job (which is probably illegal) you can respond:  “No. My
past employer will gladly indicate that I have performed my job very well.”

If you feel you have to say something to feel more truthful,
then try this:

“Like many employees, I do have regular visits to the doctor for a chronic
condition but it has not interfered with my job performance in the past.”

So how do you convince a potential future employer?  The same way you would convince them if you
did not have cancer.  Market your
knowledge, your skills and your performance. 
Describe your accomplishments and your contribution to your previous
employers.  Prepare well for your interview;
anticipate the questions that might be asked. 
You want them to leave the interview convinced that you are the best
qualified candidate for the job. Think of yourself as an excellent candidate for the job - not as a cancer patient.

Oliver, remember to network to get introductions and learn
of potential job leads rather than relying on responding to job postings.  In the meantime, you can also sign up for
short term contracts and temporary assignments that you can work around any
chemo or procedures.  All you have to say
is when you are available and describe any time that you are not available as “having
a prior commitment”.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Margot