Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for reaching out to us. A prolonged job search can be frustrating and particularly challenging (and tiring) during and after cancer treatment. Also figuring out whether to disclose a cancer diagnosis to a potential employer is a question that comes up for many patients and survivors.

It’s important to know 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. However, if you need to access a reasonable accommodation you may have to disclose some information to show you’re entitled to it, but you may choose not to disclose during the interview process and instead wait until you receive an offer to request any reasonable accommodation. You might even want to wait until you have started the job since in most cases you won’t really know what you need or what you need to ask for until you are actually in the role, experiencing the environment and the responsibilities of the job. For more information on disclosure, I recommend watching our webinar: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2017-webinar-online. 

Also keep in mind that the interview phase is part of a strategy of getting hired, and the first interview is just the beginning of a relationship. The goal is to impress the prospective employer and advance to the next phrase of the hiring process, so the first interview may not be the best time to share your cancer history. As you move through the various rounds of the interviews if you do choose to disclose you'll want to pick a moment where you think the company is invested in you and likely to hire you, or wait until the offer comes through and then share this information as part of your discussion of salary, benefits and other related factors. 

In terms of addressing questions about gaps on your resume, one approach is a technique we refer to as ‘The Swivel,’ which involves addressing the interviewer’s question, and then redirecting (or swiveling) the conversation towards your desire for the job. It’s important to practice your response until you’re comfortable with it. For example: ‘I’m an experienced sales manager passionate about creating unique shopping experiences for customers.  I left my last role due to a family situation that is resolved now and I’m excited to find a new position that will enable me to share my XYZ skills…’ Typically the question won’t be why were you let go (unless the interviewer knows that you were). Instead they might ask why you left your last job or why there’s a gap on your resume. Try to focus on the question being asked and how your response will help them see the incredible skill set you’ll bring to their company. We also have strategies for dealing with a resume gap: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/resume-cover-letter/resume-gap.

The following resources might be helpful:

• Managing Disclosure When Looking For a Job: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/job-search-disclosure/managing-disclosure-when-looking-for-a-job
  


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


• Job Search Toolkit (2^ndedition): https://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new 


• Article on job-hunting after cancer treatment: http://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