Q: I have a five-year gap on my employment history due to aggressive treatment of and recovery from a rare type of cancer. The treatment left me with a blind and disfigured right eye. Up to the time my illness was diagnosed, I worked part-time from home as a marketing/event contractor while I raised my three sons. Now the last one is a senior in high school, and I would like to return to the work force to reconnect with people and help with the college expenses. I’m just not sure how to address the gap and, for that matter, my facial deformity.
A: The good news is that the law is on your side. In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace, was amended to include episodic disabilities such as cancer and diabetes. “So, it’s likely the employer has already addressed this kind of situation,” says Suzanne Robitaille, author of “The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology and Devices” and founder of Abledbody, a Connecticut-based communications company with a disability focus.
Of course, not all employers follow the law. You’ll want to do your own research before the interview on what is and isn’t allowed, says Brenda Lightfoot, an Austin, Texas-based rehabilitation counselor and life coach. That way, you’ll be prepared if a question comes up that appears to be outside the legal limitations.
One question that is likely to come up-and that you’ll want to answer-is why there is a long gap in your employment history. Dr. Lightfoot recommends focusing on the skills you gained while dealing with your cancer.
“Highlight positive attributes that appeal to employers, such as determination, ability to coordinate care with all of the various medical personnel involved, etc.,” she says. “[Your] marketing skills certainly could have come in handy when dealing with cancer treatment.”