Job hunting, what do I tell a potential employer?

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JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I looked it up on the employment guidelines for Canada and it said I don't have to say anything unless I'm asked why I was off work for a long period of time. Also, that they can't refuse me insurance coverage which I was surprised at.

I have to look for a job because I owned my own business when I was diagnosed and had to sell it so I don't have a job to go back to. I hate being dishonest even by just witholding information but I figure if I tell someone in an interview the truth my resume will just get tossed. Legally, they can't refuse me employment based on that but how would you ever prove that? I will have days where I have to go to appointments and have tests done such as colonoscopies and I still have to have my ostomy reversed at some point so I will miss time. And I'm still a bit physically affected by the blood clot so I'm weak and can't do certain things easily or at all but that's getting better. Mainly this would be lifting or things like that.

I was thinking that if I was seriously offered a job I'd say something then but does that look deceptive? I don't want to start a job looking like a sneaky jerk. Has anyone else dealt with this? How did you handle it? Should I say it at the interview? Ugh, jobs are hard enough to get without having this big mark against me. Not to mention that I'm trained as a dental receptionist and many offices like having cute young women at the front.

Thanks for any advice!

Jan

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #2
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    See you later, alligator

    I applied for a job, and like you, didn't want to be dishonest or withold information, so I up and told them that I had Stage IV Cancer, with regular three month check-ups and scans. I didn't hear back.

    It is true, they can't refuse you a job because of that, but hey, they can certainly go for someone else over you. 

    I was extrememly blessed that my former boss (I only work one day a week for a rural Doctor) came back to town, and wanted me back, Cancer and all, so I am happily playing medical assistant. Today, he said that he may come to town twice a week, as his patient load is so big he is turning people away. Bring it on!

    Good luck with your job search. As for what you should do, I think you already know deep down that you will tell them. 

    Sue - Trubrit

     

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,459 Member
    #3
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    In a large office, say

    In a large office, say absolutely nothing.  You own't be the only one with cancer and they have backup plans.  I'm not sure what to do in a small office but I would guess the answer is say nothing and just bring it up when the time comes.  Everyone deserves to work.  Get the job and know the rules for the size office you are working in and follow them, that's good enough.

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #4
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    Job Hunting

    A dental receptionist position does not sound too physically demanding.

    The time you could miss for appointments and surgery could be an issue for any employer, since they all want someone to show up when scheduled.

    Is it possible to schedule some of the appointments in the evenings?  I know some hospitals are doing evening hours for the types of things you mentioned.

    As for the surgery, do you have an estimate on how far out that is?  If not for 6 months or a year, that should give you time to get settled into a job.  If you are looking at a shorter timeframe, then I think I would look for alternative work (patt time or job sharing or working from home) until after surgery.

    If there is anything which limits your ability to do a job you are applying for, you need to let them know your limitations, perhaps not details but certainly what you can't do.

    You don't have to tell anyone you have cancer, but you do need to be upfront about you limits and needs.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Marie who loves kitties

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #5
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    Lovekitties said:

    Job Hunting

    A dental receptionist position does not sound too physically demanding.

    The time you could miss for appointments and surgery could be an issue for any employer, since they all want someone to show up when scheduled.

    Is it possible to schedule some of the appointments in the evenings?  I know some hospitals are doing evening hours for the types of things you mentioned.

    As for the surgery, do you have an estimate on how far out that is?  If not for 6 months or a year, that should give you time to get settled into a job.  If you are looking at a shorter timeframe, then I think I would look for alternative work (patt time or job sharing or working from home) until after surgery.

    If there is anything which limits your ability to do a job you are applying for, you need to let them know your limitations, perhaps not details but certainly what you can't do.

    You don't have to tell anyone you have cancer, but you do need to be upfront about you limits and needs.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thank you!

    Interesting points, thanks for the thoughts and experience. I hate missing work at all and I know I won't be able to have appointments or tests in the evenings. It's not an option at this point here. I'd like to start out part time as I don't think I'm quite ready to work full time yet but it also takes a while to get a job so maybe by the time I find one I'll be good. We live half an hour from a city and that's always been questioned when I've looked for jobs in the city so I already have that against me. I'm just a very honest and up front person and I know I'd end up saying something and then look like I was being deceptive and that would make me very uncomfortable.

    I'm putting off my resectioning surgery for as long as possible as I don't want to go back to having IBS and after spending almost four months in the hospital this year I just don't want to do it again anytime soon. The idea is too much to think about at this point. But I'm also concerned that the longer I wait the harder it will be for my bowels to get back to work.

    Jan

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
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    Helen321 said:

    In a large office, say

    In a large office, say absolutely nothing.  You own't be the only one with cancer and they have backup plans.  I'm not sure what to do in a small office but I would guess the answer is say nothing and just bring it up when the time comes.  Everyone deserves to work.  Get the job and know the rules for the size office you are working in and follow them, that's good enough.

    I agree

    I wouldn't lie but I wouldn't just blurt it out either. Wait until asked.

  • Zing
    Zing Member Posts: 5
    #7
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    Job Search

    Hi Jan,

    First I would like to say that I can certainly appreciate you wanting to be honest, as most of us do, and agree that your resume will most likely be put into the waste basket if you are. 

    Personally, I would not say anything regarding your health.  (See the link below.)  In Canada, an employer is not allowed to ask about your health unless they are offering you a position and likely if they are offering you the position, they won't ask about your health unless it is related directly to, and would affect, the position.

    With regards to being asked about an extended period of time off, you can tell them that family or personl issues came up which required your full time work to be put on hold temporarily and that now, you are ready and able to work again.

    If the job involves lifting, and you are asked about your abilities to do so, you could mention that you may be temporarily challenged with lifting and leave it at that.   If asked of any other challenges you think you might have and there are no others, then answer "no".

    If you are hired and require time off, deal with it then.  That may be the best time to let your employer know.

    Here's a website that talks about your obligations during an interview.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/experts/do-i-have-to-reveal-my-medical-history/article13736566/

    Hope this helps!

    Janet

  • DD3
    DD3 Member Posts: 136 Member
    #8
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    Zing said:

    Job Search

    Hi Jan,

    First I would like to say that I can certainly appreciate you wanting to be honest, as most of us do, and agree that your resume will most likely be put into the waste basket if you are. 

    Personally, I would not say anything regarding your health.  (See the link below.)  In Canada, an employer is not allowed to ask about your health unless they are offering you a position and likely if they are offering you the position, they won't ask about your health unless it is related directly to, and would affect, the position.

    With regards to being asked about an extended period of time off, you can tell them that family or personl issues came up which required your full time work to be put on hold temporarily and that now, you are ready and able to work again.

    If the job involves lifting, and you are asked about your abilities to do so, you could mention that you may be temporarily challenged with lifting and leave it at that.   If asked of any other challenges you think you might have and there are no others, then answer "no".

    If you are hired and require time off, deal with it then.  That may be the best time to let your employer know.

    Here's a website that talks about your obligations during an interview.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/experts/do-i-have-to-reveal-my-medical-history/article13736566/

    Hope this helps!

    Janet

    My wife

    applied and got a new job  months after treatment.  Never was the subject brought up, so she didn't say anything.  However, due to various appointments (surgeon/oncologist) she had to miss some work.  She was honest with her boss about her situation.  As luck may have it her new boss was and is totally supportive of her and there have been zero problems. 

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #9
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    DD3 said:

    My wife

    applied and got a new job  months after treatment.  Never was the subject brought up, so she didn't say anything.  However, due to various appointments (surgeon/oncologist) she had to miss some work.  She was honest with her boss about her situation.  As luck may have it her new boss was and is totally supportive of her and there have been zero problems. 

     

    Thank you Janet and DD3. I

    Thank you Janet and DD3. I really appreciate the link as well. Having trouble staying positive.

    Jan

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