Changing jobs in the middle of treatment? Am I stupid?

Not stupid, courageous.  And that is a huge plus for you in the process.  I usually don't give much advice; I tend to post only my own experience.  But I know a little bit about career development and how to get a job, so . . . 

A couple of thoughts; keep in mind that I don't know you so if these are offensively obvious please forgive me.

1.  If you get an interview, make a plan about what you will and won't tell them.  Don't tell them how much you don't like your job, but do tell them how much you want theirs.  So much that you decided to go for it and not wait until a more convenient time in your life.  Keep in mind that what you are going through is temporary, is inconvenient, and may change you, but you want that job.

2.  Focus on what you can do for them.  Your determination is a huge plus.  Let them know that.

3.  They have lots of workers right now who don't have a cancer diagnosis but any one of those could be diagnosed tomorrow.   It's not easy to overcome the perception that you may not be healthy enough to do the work right now, but you have on your side the very fact that you didn't postpose your interest.  You can point this out, if your condition is obvious.  

4.  If your condition is not obvious, you don't need to bring anything about it into the interview or process.   Under the ADA, you are entitled to reasonable accommodation if you are disabled, and cancer can be regarded as a disability, but isn't necessarily regarded as a disability.  Time off for doctors and treatment is an FMLA matter, and you already know how that works.

5.  If you know anyone at your prospective employer's company, call and make your pitch.  You could use some advocates, but be sure they know that you want the job, not that you just don't want the grief of your old one.  Stay on the center of the highest road you can access and do whatever you would normally do to get what you want!  

6.  Wear the wig, not the scarf, if you have lost your hair to chemo.  I think it is just a more neutral signal.

7.  Yes, there are folks who will not take the risk to hire you.  You have to overcome that bias, but you've already taken step one, just keep going and think about what you have to say that they want to hear.  

I have an HR background and I would not pass up a good, experienced candidate.  But, I would also not be able to ask about health, prognosis, or treatment.  Of course, I wouldn't be able to ask that of anyone else, either.  If a candidate comes with advocates, strong references, and a great story and pitch, the decision is a lot easier, even if it's a fence call.

If you are going to go for it, go all the way for it. don't second guess yourself, mount a plan and an army of help, and don't look back.  You can't ask about the benefit thing until you are offered the job.  It will undermine your platform.  But Madalyn is right, HIPPA took care of a lot of that pre-existing stuff.  You can be offered the job and decide to turn it down, by the way.  But your mission is to get the offer first and make the decision about it later.  One step at a time.

Good Luck,

Cathy 

I agree, do not disclose health information.

 I would also be sure of the details of the new health benefits. ask for a copy of the plan and the explanation of benefits, it will answer your questions about continuing coverage or limits, as well as deductibles and co-pays. How much longer will you be in active treatment?

 Are the breaks that you get on bad chemo days at your current job something you can live without? Do you feel well enough to perform at  your best in a new job; Is there a probation period?

I worked in HR for a small company. A cancer diagnosis of a current employee tripled the insurance rates for the company. In a large hospital it may not make the same kind of difference.

Legally they can not ask you about your health, but if you appear ill, or tell them, unless you walk on water in your field, my guess is that they will pass you up, purely from an actuarial standpoint. 

Look your best, and go to the interview and see where it leads. If they offer you the position you can go from there. Good Luck!

For job related questions like this I would post on
Ask Lix Ryan: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/asklizryan/

She's a real expert. I've been on her list for years. She is an HR specialist. She has been published in many major magazines and newspapers including the NYT and Wall Street Journal. This is her website: http://www.asklizryan.com/

Hi, Heather.  what you are thinking of doing isn't for the faint of heart, that's for sure.  I think the question of disclosure is secondary to deciding to really go for the job.  Your best chance of getting the job, if you want it, is to control your own press, your own brand, your own resources, your own message.  To me, that would mean finding the best way to deliver the information.  

Job candidates with insider support in the organizations they want to work for tend to do better than "over the transom" applicants.  Organizations listen to their employees and often offer them bonuses for successful referrals.  If you have such an insider on your side, you can ask him or her to tell the right person about your determination, strength, courage, and rightness for the company and the job.  If you don't have an insider, and your credentials and experience are exactly what the job requires, you can tell them whenever you want to, but your message should have a point.  The point is either that you are so strong that you are making the decision to do this proudly or determinedly, knowing that you will be a great asset, or that you will need lots of accommodation and special treatment.  The former sounds better.  And actually is better.

In other words, no one can tell you that there is a right and a wrong way.  There isn't a convention around stuff like this.  The first thing is to get the interview; one step at a time.  If you get picked for the first, usually a screening, interview, you may choose not to mention it until you know you are a serious contender and that you really want the job.  But if you decide to tell them, don't do it out of a sense of duty to them, so you give them a reason to NOT hire you, do it so that they have a reason to hire you despite some inconvenience.  A job that's been open for months can usually stay open for a while longer for the right incumbent.

I have no idea what the job is or how you fit into the job specs.  But I think the best candidates approach jobs "campaign style" with all focus on why the employer should hire them.  Enthusiasm and determination are often tie-breaking qualities.

You do have to disclose if you can't work the schedule by the start date.  You can also ask for a delayed start date and offer the reason as "medical."

Just because you sent the application does not mean that you have to follow through; follow your heart and your instincts.  There are good arguments all around for whatever you do.  

I have a friend who took a call from a search firm in the middle of her chemo, went to the interview and several subsequent interviews with the company, and found the experience to be empowering.  She didn't get the job, but doesn't know if they ever knew she was in treatment.  She did tell the search firm, who did not pull her out of the race.

Warmly,

Cathy