Help Needed

[dbanna]

Please advise needed.

The last couple if years has been hell for me but I'm glad I'm still here. In 2010 I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. I had an operation to remove it, but unfortunately it was too low in the rectrum so had to have a permanent storma.

6 months later a recurrence in the pelvic. Another massive operation but this time more organs removed. Because of some complication with the operation I had to stay in the hospital for 4 months and then another 8 months at home.

Unfortunately the cancer returned again, and another operation. I really thought I was going to die, but for some reason the cancer was never in my blood stream. It's been nearly 2 years and I'm still in remission. I've been to hell and back. To make matters worse I lost my daughter, brother and father in the same time I was battling the disease.

I'm now feeling OK and feel I'm ready to go back to work. I had to quit my last role in 2011 as the treatment and everything else meant I couldn't work as well as fight the cancer. Now my problem, What do I put on my CV to explain the nearly 3 years gap? I work in IT. I'm worried If I say I've away for 3 years nobody is going to employ me as they might think my skill set is too old now. Should I add the reason for the 3 years gap on my CV?

Just need some advise. I'm just glad to still be here and now ready to get my life back on line. Thanks

[Biggles111]

I think what you have been through, and pulled through, whilst not something anyone would choose, is something that deserves a massive 'well done'. The determination and resilience you had to find must be attributes that any smart employer would want. I would simply say, maybe in the cover letter, that you took time out to fight a serious illness, and that now you are recovered you want to return to work.

Some employers may not be positive about this, but you would arguably not want to work for those anyway. Other employers will be absolutely fine. If you don't want to go straight in full time you could always do voluntary work, many charities and local groups would I am sure find your skills invaluable. This could then give you currency and help bridge the employment gap.

I'm sure you will do great, keep us posted!

[Some Gump]

Chapeau OP for battling it.
IMO be open and honest - you've been off for 3 years because your guts decided that they wanted you to die - you beat them. Turn it round instead - after 3 bouts of cancer, even people ringing on a friday because their printer isn't working seems like a walk in the park =)


Oh, and I'm pretty sure to not hire you purely on the basis of guts missing is illegal. Their HR will know it, and any company you would want to work for will probably be steererd towards you not away by HR (just in case etc etc).

[dbanna]

Biggles111 said:

I think what you have been through, and pulled through, whilst not something anyone would choose, is something that deserves a massive 'well done'. The determination and resilience you had to find must be attributes that any smart employer would want. I would simply say, maybe in the cover letter, that you took time out to fight a serious illness, and that now you are recovered you want to return to work.

Some employers may not be positive about this, but you would arguably not want to work for those anyway. Other employers will be absolutely fine. If you don't want to go straight in full time you could always do voluntary work, many charities and local groups would I am sure find your skills invaluable. This could then give you currency and help bridge the employment gap.

I'm sure you will do great, keep us posted!

Thank you for your kind words. I'll modify my CV and see what happens. I shouldn't be ashamed of what's happened to me. it's not like I was in jail for that time. Never did anything to deserve cancer.