Ask HN: Should I tell that I had cancer to my interviewer?

[_pgpe]

Hi guys,

I'm stumbling out of a Lymphoma, which might be cured (we'll have to wait another couple of years to know..). This was quite the life changing experience for me, being 29 with 2 kids (one was 1 month old when I was diagnosed).

We decided to move to the country side with my wife, to provide a less stressful environment to all of us, which also means that I'll have to quit my job soon. My bosses agreed to allow me for remote working but only temporarily so that I can get the time to find a new job in my new location.

I will be starting sending resumés and so on soon, but I'm not quite sure what to say about our reasons for moving, and especially telling them I could go back to chemo and medical leave for another 6-8 months at very short notice if the cancer decides to flare up again.

On the other hand, hiding this kind of information would be a bit awkward, especially since I have quite the scars where they performed biopsy and inserted the port.

I know some people here have businesses and interview candidates, what would be your reaction to an interviewee telling you that?

[theGREENsuit]

I'm in a similar situation. Diagnosed with colon cancer at 34 with a 3 year at home and my wife still pregnant with our second one. I ended up switching jobs after my surgery and know that things could flare up again. I didn't bring it up during my interviews since it wasn't something I felt I needed to mention. The focus of the interview is your skills and how well you'd fit in with the team. As someone already said, things happen to employees whether they've been at the job for 10 years or 10 months. Employers know that.

[brudgers]

In the US, there's no reason to disclose your health status to an employer.

Good luck.

[jason_slack]

Yes and women do not have to disclose that they are expecting either.

[JSeymourATL]

> but I'm not quite sure what to say about our reasons for moving...

Simple, we're living our dream and think the countryside is an ideal setting to raise our family.

Reasons for personal health disclosure can vary. That Key Man detail could be important to a business partner. A recruiting bozo or corporate manager not so much. Move forward assuming as if you'd been given a clean bill of health.

Incidentally, your current bosses have allowed you to work remote temporarily. If you've demonstrated you can still contribute value to the team, perhaps they'd be amenable continuing the arrangement. Say, why not go another 6 months and jointly evaluate if this is working? It's worth exploring, there are always exceptions. Godspeed!

[Jemaclus]

I have a hearing loss. It takes a little while for people to notice, and I generally do very well in face-to-face, one-on-one interactions, so during interviews, I never bring it up. Back when I was dating, I struggled with whether to bring it up on the first date. On the one hand, it shouldn't matter. But on the other, I would find it deceptive if someone I went on a date with held back information like that (e.g., "I have a kid" or "I have cancer"). It's not necessarily a deal breaker, but I would totally understand if the other person walked away. Fortunately, I found someone, so I don't have to deal with this any more on the dating front.

But for business? It's none of their business. If I get the job, I'll bring it up with my immediate team on Day 1, but otherwise, I don't say anything. For cancer, it's really just none of their business whatsoever.

[jeffwass]

Hi Jemaclus,

I have a child with hearing loss. Mind if I ask you a question? How have you found your partners reactions on dates regarding your hearing loss?

I'm assuming you don't wear hearing aids, as per your uncertainty of whether to bring up on the first date. So when your date does find out about your hearing loss, does it generally have an observable impact on either the date or the prospect of future relationship?

And maybe a harder question to answer : do you think the wearing of hearing aids has more of an impact in prospective dates? Logically, having hearing aids to correct hearing shouldn't be viewed much differently from wearing glasses to correct vision, but curious of your experiences.

Thanks.

[saluki]

y, that's not really a topic for an interview, focus on your skills and whether you are a good fit for the position.

You stated the reason for moving if that even comes up: We decided to move to the country side with my wife, to provide a less stressful environment to all of us.

You're a remote employee looking for a local position.

I would look for remote work too it can be relaxing too depending on the company.

You're currently cured/in remission . . . anything could happen to any employee at anytime . . . don't penalize yourself for being a survivor.

Good luck in all areas. Enjoy your new location.

[kleer001]

It's an interview, not a deposition.

Revealing that level of intimate information during an interview would be a red flag to me of poor boundaries and possibly poor focus.

[kele]

Bad things happen to employees. Every employer has to be prepared for that. I see no reason to say about your condition during an interview, if they don't specifically ask.

Good luck.