wearing compression garments for job interview?

lvtwoqlt

This doesn't have to do with managing our LE but a question about when to wear garments and when not. I will be losing my job this summer (looks like around August) and need to start thinking about job interviews. I only wear a gauntlet on my left hand and I was wondering if I should wear it (the gauntlet) when going on job interviews? My swelling is not major and unless you examine my hand without the gauntlet closely, you don't notice the swelling. I don't want to get into discussions about my medical history at job interviews hence my reluctance to wear it. I have not worn the gauntlet for half a day and the swelling goes up a little but not too much.

Sheila

lvtwoqlt

Just another note, I started working for this company in the factory almost 17 yrs ago and 12 yrs ago got an interview to move up to the main office, that was my last job interview and I am scared shitless looking for another job. I am just trying to figure out legally what they can and can't ask at the interview. The corporate office is consoldating the operations of several smaller companies into one larger 'casegoods' group and most everyone at my location is losing their job.

Sheila

2z54

For what it's worth, I wouldn't wear it. No need to give them more information than they need, or are entitled to.  They are not allowed to ask about your health, etc.  Although I think that they can ask if you would need any "reasonable accomodations".

Good luck with the interview!  Let us know how it goes!

Sue

lvtwoqlt

2z54, I am not quite ready for interviews, I am just preparing for them. I told my boss that I was going to stay with the company until they kicked me out. The severance package they are offering is enticing me to stay until then. (several months pay and unused vacation before unemployment kicks in) I am currently working on updating my resume from 12 yrs ago (when I finished college) and trying to integrate all the various jobs that I have done here as work experience.

Sheila

gfbaker

If you can live without it for a few hours to interview, I'd take it off. They can't ask, but they can speculate and that might be worse. Better for them to be thinking about what a great candidate you are. Best of luck with the job hunt! And smart to do it now while you are still employed.

Binney4

Sheila, I think we have to do what we're comfortable with, especially in a situation as stressful as a job interview. Since you know how to bring down any swelling that might develop in the course of an interview, you really do have the freedom to decide what's best for your social/emotional state. Once we have the skills to self-manage our lymphedema (for the most part anyway!) we have everything we need to take control of our lives.

Best of luck with the job search -- hope the new position is better in every way than the one you'll be saying good-bye to!
Binney

sisterinspirit

Sheila,

I went to a job interview about a year ago and opted not to wear my sleeve and glove.  Got the job (with a plastic surgeon) and started wearing my sleeve and glove to work.  Questions came up, but everyone was very understanding.  Agree with others that no need to raise a flag at the interview.  Hope an exciting future is ahead of you.

Best wishes

lvtwoqlt

I put an application in this week for an Information Systems Coordinator, which is what I have been doing for 10 yrs. They require a 2 yr degree in computer systems or Information Systems, which I have and at least 2 yrs experience. It is at a hospice/paliative care program and they said that healthcare experience not required but helpful. I only have healthcare experience from the patient side of things. Wish me luck in getting an interview.

Sheila

Binney4

Hey, hey, Sheila! Very exciting -- even inspiring, actually. Thoughts and prayers as you wait it out!
Binney

lvtwoqlt

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to update everyone, the job I wrote about in 2010 didn't pan out and I was laid off in September of 2010. I have been on unemployment and I have put in various applications over the past 20 months but in February I saw a listing for an IT support person that matched what I did for 12 years. They took applications for 1 month and last week they called to see if I was still interested in the job. I interviewed on Wednesday (without my gauntlet ) and two hours after my hour long interview I was called and offered the job.  I start my new job on Monday and I will wear my gauntlet when I go to work.

sheila 

Leah_S

Sheila, that's wonderful! I hope the new job works out well for you.

Best of luck.

Leah

Artemis

Sheila ~ That's terrific news!  Congratulations!

Anonymous

Congrats, Sheila! How wonderful for you - and for your new employer!

Binney4

Sheila, wonderful! I just love good news!
Binney

lvtwoqlt

Thanks all for the congrats, I went today for a pre-orientation meeting with the HR person to go over the insurance forms and benefits and I still didn't wear my gauntlet . I didn't want to raise any red flags today. Tuesday, the MIS supervisor was impressed with my experience, he said that my application was the first one that he laid to one side when he was sorting through all that were received. He told me several times that he would probably be calling me by today, boy was I excited when I got the call 2 hours after I left the interview.

SpecialK

lvtwoqlt - yay for you!

BeckySharp

Hey Sheila---Great news!  I am sorry it took so long.  Enjoy the new job.

NancyD

Congrats, Sheila! And don't worry about wearing the gauntlet or other compression gear. I have an employee who has had various problems with her hands and has had to wear things for them. The only impression I had was that they made her job easier, not that they inhibited her from doing it. So if anyone says anything, just say, it's your bionic glove that lets you do more work than other people, lol.

Cindyl

Yeah most people wouldn't recognize a compression glove if it ran up and bit them.  Several of my staff wear/have worn hand and wrist gloves and or braces and unless they volunteer that it's for say carple tunnel or what have you I have no reason to inquire.  Certainly I wouldn't have asked a new employee (ADA) and all that.  I would ask if a different keyboard/mouse style would suit them better...

Kicks

I'm torn on rather or not I'd wear my glove and sleeve to an interview. Just because it is not to be used in determining hiring does not mean that it won't and it would be very hard to prove if it did or didn't.



What I find with most strangers who comment about my sleeve and glove is thatthey think I have heart problems. (I don't). So when applying for a job I would not want to let them put that thought in their head.

lvtwoqlt

More good news, I have been wearing my gauntlet every day and no questions but yesterday, because of some internal moving of positions, I was asked to put my name in for a promotion and after working only two weeks! They wouldn't have suggested that I apply for the new position if they didn't feel I couldn't do the job. They will be working with me and training me as long as I need help. 

I also found out that after reading my resume in February, my boss told my co-worker (who's job I will be taking because he moved up a level) that he needed to talk to me cause if I knew what I put in my resume, he didn't want to let me go. This is one of the first times I have had a boss with that much confidence in me that he wanted me to better myself. Not that my old boss didn't have confidence in me but I had all the responsibilities that company could offer me in that position.

Sheila 

NancyD

Way to go, Sheila!

sweetbean

Wow!  Amazing!!!  Congratulations!

BeckySharp

That is great Sheila.  Keep at it.

Anonymous

Terrific news, Sheila! Congrats, and brownies all 'round!

Binney4

Sheila, I am soooo happy for you! You must be so proud! Keep us posted on how you're doing with it--very exciting.
Happy hugs,
Binney

olearca

Sheila - this is such great news!!!!  Way to go!  So, glad I happened upon this thread.  It's nice to read "good news" for a change! 

xoxox, Catherine

lvtwoqlt

It was a good thing I wore my gauntlet every day, every morning my hand seemed to be swelled more than normal, then this week it hit me, I was at a higher elevation (3500 ft compared to 1250 ft). I forgot to take my bandages so I will be wrapping at night the next couple of days/weeks to get it back under control. My promotion (pay increase) takes place the first of May. 

Sheila