Hi Marina,

Thanks for writing to us. Your explanation was very clear, so no need to apologize! I’m glad to hear your employer was supportive after your diagnosis and there’s a chance you’ll be able to work with them again. I can understand how having your initial interview with the staffing agency may cause some concern, but you are thinking about and asking important questions as you begin the job search process.

First, while it’s certainly possible the staffing agency might ask why you left your previous position, they also might not just as they may-or-may-not inquire about a gap in employment (or in your case, when your LTD expired).  Yet while there’s no way of knowing exactly which questions they’re going to ask, preparing answers ahead of time can help you feel in control. The best responses are brief and more focused on the future than the past. Also, when thinking through what you want to say, please keep in mind that in general you are under no legal obligation to disclose your medical condition or history to your prospective or current employer.  There are some exceptions to that, for instance if you need access to a reasonable accommodation you may need to provide some information about your health issue to show you are eligible—that said it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to discuss all the details.

One method that we 've found to be successful for fielding questions regarding gaps in employment is called “The Swivel.” It involves addressing a question asked by an interviewer, and then redirecting (or swiveling) the conversation towards your actual goals and desire for the job. When planning your swivel, you want to come up with concise, credible answers to the gap question and practice it until you’re comfortable with it. Since you were an employee in good standing for six years at this company, you could say something along the lines of, “I was dealing with a health issue that’s resolved now, AND I’m thrilled to discuss how I can utilize the invaluable skills I obtained working at (name of the company) again”. Focus on talking about your incredible breadth of experience with them, how much you enjoyed working there and why you would be an asset to them again. The most important thing you can do is be prepared by having practiced interviewing, so you can sell your skills and show them that you are the best for the job. Remind yourself of your many accomplishments, none of which should be overshadowed by taking time off.  For more info on “The Swivel”: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing/the-swivel. 

Overall, it is important to remember that the interview phase of a job search is important part of a larger strategy to getting hired, and the goal is to impress them so you can advance to the next stage. Because of this, the first interview may not be the best time to share your cancer history. Some people do choose to disclose later in the interview process for a variety of reasons, though, again, there is no requirement to disclose.  Ultimately, whether and/or how you share is a personal decision and to help you think through this a little more, I would recommend watching our webinar to get a better understanding of the issues around disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online.  

I’ve reached out to one of our career coaches to get further insight into your situation, but in the meantime the following resources might be helpful:

• Interviewing information: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing
  

• Blog on gathering information before disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/blog/gathering-information-before-d
  

• 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)

• Upcoming Job Search Webinar (March 8th): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-jobsearch2017
  

• Article on Navigating Tough Interview Questions: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/blog/navigating-tough-interview-que
  

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

Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hello Nicole! I don't know if you will ever read this but thank you so much for the response and the information that you have provided me with, I really appreciate it. I'm positive that I will have more questions, so I will refer to the contact information above. Thanks again!

Hi Marina,

Thank you for your response! I hope you found the information helpful. And yes, please feel free to contact us with any questions. We'd be happy to speak with you!

Kind regards,

Nicole