Anyone Job Hunting?

Another thing to consider: I realized when it came time to contact my references that I'd been out of touch for 1.5 to two years or more. I no longer live near any of them, so didn't tell them I had cancer (although I'm not averse to telling them now). I'm trying to decide whether or not to tell them that the "no contact" gap is due in part to:

- spending more time researching and seeking help for cancer side effects than finding work

- spending time in treatment for cancer side effects 

- focusing more on my health than finding a job

- after being unemployed for a year: waiting and waiting to contact them until I finally had a job and had something to tell them about*

I did send an email two days ago (on a Thursday) asking my three references if it's OK to continue listing them as references. I told them about the new job and that they may be contacted by my prospective employer. I also sent them a link to some recent work. I haven't heard back from them. That's normal w/ busy people. This weekend I'll try to call them.

* Why is there shame in being unemployed? Note to self: Get over it! 

lago: Just like in that photo you posted earlier on this forum (the one w/ the crossed fingers), I have my fingers crossed for you. I hope you get the temp job -- or a job that you like even better. Good luck!

As per whether or not to tell an employer (or references who are your former employers) that you've had cancer, I'm with you: I keep mum. There is a possibility that employers will think I'm a future health risk (which I possibly am).

As per explaining or commenting about being unemployed: I also haven't directly told prospective employers that I've been unemployed and/or receiving unemployment benefits. I also work in a field where freelancing is common, so I just say I've been freelancing (which I have been, in part).

Cést la vie.

Sorry fitzdc these things to happen all the time. I find it rather rude that they wasted your time with 6 interviews and then not hire you because they can't decide what direction to go in. I mean if they are treating potential candidates like that what will it be like when you work for them? It might be a blessing.

Granted it also could be their budget was cut for the position. That happens a lot too.

Thanks for input on whether or not to disclose our cancer diagnosis/recovery/side effects w/ current/future employers. I'm starting a training program this summer, which includes a job search aspect at summer's end.

My challenge will be to see if I can go w/o my lymphedema compression sleeve during the day. I have what my doctors call "minor" lymphedema. It presents itself mainly in my fingers and thumb. I wear an all-in-one compression sleeve/glove during the day and presssure bandages at night. That keeps the lymphedema in check.

When people ask me about the compression garment, I usually say I have a "circulation problem." But some know what it is and ask if I have "lymphedema." If I say yes to having lymphedema, that opens the door to a cancer discussion.

Even though I'm cancer-free and it's almost four years after treatment, I'd rather not tell a new or prospective employer about cancer. Yet I may need to wear my sleeve to keep my hand from swelling. The edema is barely discernable. But when it happens, my hand sometimes becomes sore and uncomfortable. So, for that reason, there may be times where I need to wear the sleeve, even if I don't want to. 

Any suggestions? Anyone w/ a similar experience? 

11BC: I've been out of work since mid April, and I've definitely become lazy and disorganized.

I am meeting with two high level people about a new job later this week, and also find myself wanting to put limits on what I'm willing to do. How many days/week, if I could handle being up at night with "call", etc.

I worked for a very nasty radiation oncologist for the last three years, but adored the patients and staff and it was just three days/week, and I was all done when I went home. Very reasonable work load, just the emotional trauma of working for an abusive boss.

I work in health care, and it's a small world, so I'm okay with talking about my breast cancer and LE as limitations.

I do want to work, it's just that I've put 25 years in to clinical work already, and I'm on the fading into semi-retirement mode. And all the interviews I've been on have had the attitude that I would work like I did 20 years ago, and I'm seriously not up for that. But I'm not up for staying home either.

I still teach, but it's only one day a week.

Worried about the interview: we have seminars all the time at the institution where I teach about women and negotiation, and I'm a terrible negotiator--if they ask, I don't want to dissapoint.

Kira

I hadn't seen your post about the sleeve: I have a tendency to hide my compression garments at work as well. But, I do think it's okay to say you have a circulation problem and leave it at that. Why are carpal tunnel braces okay. Recently on the LE boards, Shirley went back to work in her gauntlet and sleeve, and no one batted an eyelash. Plenty of people get LE without cancer: from accidents, surgery, trauma, infections, or genetics--they don't need to know what caused it.

kira and lago: Thanks. Good advice. Now I have more ideas about what to say during the times I do wear my sleeve. 

kira: my new job/training will be very time consuming. I wonder if I have the energy/drive that I did 20 years or even five years ago. I'm willing to give it a go just because I have been out of work for so long -- and the job/training I'm doing has more benefits than drawbacks.

Best wishes. 

Hi Everyone... I've been lurking, but am now introducing myself.  I too am in the midst of a job search (left my high stress job in January, after my boss told me ... you have breast cancer, how can you possibly handle this job?  we need to get HR involved in this....and it just went downhill from there).  Decided that preserving my sanity was worth sacrificing some income.  

I took off a couple of months, and am now getting serious.  Have the resumes out there, contacting my network of friends and former colleagues.  Meeting with several recruiters... you guys know the drill.

I have three promising leads that I'm pursuing this week.  Wish me luck.  Two in the phone screen stage tomorrow, an in-person interview on Friday.  I really need to work, money is just going to get tighter and tighter, and I have four kids facing college in the next ten years.....  

Good luck to all of us!

Lisa 

11BC -- you are not crazy.  Every job has stress.  Some are high stress by nature.   I left because the stress was due to a lunatic leader, honestly the worst human being I have encountered in a long time.  (TWO other people have sued him for hostile environment issues since I left -- that is four short months -- so kind of validates my impression that it would be futile to try to be a success in that environment).  

I can take the stress when it is part of the job.... when's it's artifical and generated by unhealthy behavior in your work environment, that is driving people around you to talk to therapists and attorneys, it's time to go......

Lisa 

Lisa you will do fine. If you've had 2 telephone interviews they know you have the qualifications and can do the job. Now they just want to see if you "fit" the organization. That's something you either do or don't so just be yourself… but no dancing on the desk.

No new leads or interviews.  I repeat, but it is so annoying to go through multiple interviews and hear nothing from HR regarding the job.    Back to the one resume per day system and another temp agency (the last one was a disaster - i had to take a computer test, a 'how well do you know Microsoft' and I bungled it.  My problem is that I learned so many short-cuts that I can't remember how to do things the 'right' way.  On the Excel test, I got only a handful right ---- and my last job was as a finance/budget manager!!

I remember taking a computer skills "test" for graphic designers. It was a multiple choice test and give one a PC. Most designers use MACs. Granted I aced the test because I use both but I could see how MAC users would find it challenging. Also testing by asking questions on how to use the applications is just plain dumb. Once you become more of an "expert" you don't think about what keys you are using… and tend not to use drop down menus.

Kate it appears in this job market many are more interested in skills rather than people who can think & learn. They look at employees as disposable. Hire them to do what you need now. When things change hire a new person who can do that new thing. Then they complain that they can't find good people… but the good places still know the difference.

Whenever possible, I try to apply for jobs the old fashioned way: in person or over the phone. lago is correct: often jobs are posted to meet HR guidelines, even though the position will be filled from within.

I find it's helpful to attend networking events in my field. None has lead me to a job, but all have helped me understand that I'm not the only one challenged to find work.

Good luck all! 

She starts Monday! Yah LMO4!

I'm still looking. Been networking a bit. May have some freelance opportunities. I've also started volunteering for ACS.

LisaMomOfFour: Good job. I'm from a family of five kids. If you can raise four kids, manage a household, get through breast cancer and job search, then you can do anything.

Like you: I also went through a dry spell and then had two job offers in a week, with two others pending.

EVERYONE: If you're still searching for work -- freelance or part-time or full-time -- hang in there. Persevere. You're more than capable. Breast cancer teaches us we're adaptable and resilient. Both are qualities valued in the work world. Good luck!