How to explain a 3 and a half year gap in employment at an interview.

Hi there,  i had a 10 year gap after my second daughter was born and my mother (suffering from dementia) came to London so I could support her. Some of the 3.5 years could be explained as breast cancer treatment, though I suspect that they might wonder about the rest of the time as it's much longer than treatment usually takes.  You'll be surprised at how many people have had cancer though,  and where i work so many colleagues and friends I had no idea about opened up to me.  I had a 40 minute phone conversation with our school's business manager recently about paclitaxel and her side effects when treated for ovarian cancer!  Is there anything that you did (volunteering,  visiting elderly relatives,  babysitting etc)  which could be made to honestly sound more of a thing? 

I wouldn't worry about it too much though,  and good luck!!

Hi londonmumof2 thanks so much for replying. Yes I know what you mean about 3and a half years being a long time but to be honest it was all so difficult. I had double mastectomy 6 chemo that hospitalised me for everyone bar 1. Couldn't walk for months afterwards put on 5 stone. Then after treatment ended the depression started. My partner lost his job. I had a 2 stage delayed reconstruction so 2 ops the last one was diep a 13 hour op which took a long while to recover. Also developed alarge seroma which is uncomfortable and has been drained regularly but it's less now so hopefully will go soon. So you see my predicament how do I word it.  I'm a different person i look and feel better than I did 10 years ago and I'm 50 now. I have lost the weight I'm working at the moment but I new my employer so this wasnt an issue. I also had lots of counselling which ended a few months ago. Xxx

Well if you are currently already working that's a plus in the eyes of your prospective employer,  and means a current reference.  I did voluntary work away a national reference library for a few months for that reason.  You could say that ther were issues after surgery which took time to resolve. No one would challenge that at interview as is too personal! 

Was it ther paclitaxel/ docetaxel  which caused the problems? I'm due due to start in 8 days asks dithering over it as it only adds 1.4% gain over 10 years...

I would just put ‘career break due to family commitments’. 

Hello,

I don't agree.....

Am I being very naive here........three and half years for recovery is hardly a long time for an illness which gives you medical cover for at least five years! If you're lucky and have mild enough side effects ....so be it.... but I know so many people who have either changed their jobs, cut back hours or simply retired early because they didn't feel able to return to work. I think you've done the right thing.....you're ready now to face the challenges. You've taken time to recover so tell your employer......

' I had cancer. The treatment was difficult and I had a number of problems but they've all been sorted and I no longer have cancer, I am ready and fit to do the job you are advertising. Here is a reference from the temporary work I have been doing.' If they turn you down for being unwell .....it's called discrimination!

I wish you every success but don't hide what you've been through. It has made you a very strong person.

Love Karen

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London mum of 2 thankyou for replying. I appreciate the advice. It was doxetaxel but I have to say I have friends that had it and they were absolutely fine except for a few aches and pains. Everyone is different I was just unlucky. Please dont let what happened to me put you off. Xxx

Hi Grog thankyou for the advice. I'm still not sure but appreciate the reply. Xxx

I am really touched Lacomtekp( Karen) thankyou so much for replying. I think that is the way to go and as you say they cant discriminate. Thankyou again such a lovely message and very true. Xxx

Great to see you back Shellian . Well done and good luck xxxx

Thankyou so much sea spirit. Xxx