Working after transplant?

[bette1]

I was out of work for four years due to dialysis, and now I need to go back to work.  I'm not sure how to explain the gap in my resume.  I was going to lie and say that I decided to be a stay at home mom for a while.  I think that will fly.  How do those of you without kids explain the gap. 

In some ways I wish I'd kept my job, but I don't know how I would have handled it all with hemo and a family.

[RichardMEL]

If it was me I would just be honest.

Yes, I understand that then puts a whole "medical" slant over you that maybe could be used against you, but I know I would feel uncomfortable lying like that, but then again I have always been up front with my employers regarding my situation, and they have all been incredibly supportive. The thing to remember is that post transplant you really should be able to work full time and it shouldn't be a concern to your employer about why you weren't working for those years. You could always say "it suited my lifestyle at the time" and leave it at that - which is a half truth but it's what I said when I went for my (now current) position and they asked me why on earth I wanted a part time job (unusual in the IT industry). It was only after I was given the job that I explained what the deal was (at that point I was pre-dialysis). Now my boss has seen me pre, through and now post dialysis.....

I suppose in the end it comes down to what you are comfortable with explaining and who to. If you feel better telling a white lie then so be it. It's what works for you.

[onestronglittlelady]

If you do mention it, you could focus on the skills you used or learned over the 4 years, rather than the time gap. During this time I did everything possible to manage my health while attending to the needs of my family. This included time management around my treatments, menu planning to ensure healthy eating on a budget, extensive medical research on medications and treatment options. I'm sure there are lots of other things that could be added. I have done hiring in the past.  A resume is just the story of you, and best story gets the job. Good luck on your on your job search!

[Sax-O-Trix]

In my humble opinion, if you live in the states, I would not say you have kidney issues in a job interview.  Insurance costs are going over the moon and you may be seen as a liability.  Raising children works just fine because that is what you were doing...  Don't give potential employers more info than they need.  If you can work FT now, leave out the kidney issues.

[Chris]

I did ask about this when I was attending classes at my local college when they had us go over writting a resume and to trying applying for a few jobs at the job fair they had. I was told to be honest, but not to emphasize that on your resume. If I remember right I think I just put a date range and said health issue.  Only tell them if they ask, but list your qualities, experiences. I'll have to dig out the book they gave and find the resume I wrote. My health hasn't been great after my transplant in order to work ful time or a part time job due to all my appointments on top of my mobility issues.
 
If you have a local community college, they maybe able to offer advice and help like my college does for free since our tax dollars supports the college.

[jbeany]

Check out the format for a skills based resume - it leaves out the usual time line of job A from year 1 to 3, job B from year 4 to 7, etc.  It lists skills learned, and you tailor it to the job you are asking for, as in "I learned to use computer program X during my position at job A."  "I initiated a reorganization of the office filing system that greatly improved productivity at job B."

Telling or not is a personal decision.  I've made no secret of my transplant during my classes and volunteer work.  The networking I'm doing at school is probably going to lead to my future job, so hiding it won't really be possible.  Will it be the focus of my interviews, no.  They can't legally ask health questions anyhow, so I sure won't bring it up.

I am, in a way, relying on the general public's misconception that a transplant is a cure.  "Oh, I have to do regular checkups just to make sure everything is fine, but I've had perfect reports for 2 years, so I'm not expecting any problems for years and years."  Well, I'm not - why think negatively?   

[Meinuk]

Hi Bette!

Everyone has some great advice above.  Here are my .02 cents....

A gap on your resume can stick out.  Have you really thought about what you did during those four years (besides dialysis?)?  Any volunteer work? And personal education projects?  The gap could be covered in many different ways, without citing personal medical issues. You just need to be able to talk about it without seeming like you are "hiding something".   It is your right NOT to disclose your medical history in most employment situations.

Depending on what kind of job you are applying for, you can tailor your resume accordingly.  (I am 44, and I didn't list any of my jobs from the `80's if they were not pertinent to my current career path) A resume is just a "snapshot" of your education and experience.  Where you will be held accountable is on your application, and then you usually have to account for your past 7 - 10 years in a timeline fashion (with no gaps).  But all of this depends on your employer/job. Also, your employer does not need to know if you are married or single or if you have children.  It is none of their business 99% of the time - and unless in special circumstances, it is illegal for them to ask.

I never planned on having a typical "White Collar" career.  My resume was sketchy for years (travelling, writing and making movies does not build a very impressive resume) until I started getting sick. Then I had a "real" job for 9 years working at a NYC Law School. (I needed the health insurance. Almost 3 years of it on dialysis and then transplant) I worked for six months after my transplant, then I took a year off (officially, I was in school). I started my new job last September (after a serious vetting process).

There should be plenty of resources out there for you.  You can call your network and see if they have a Vocational Rehap Person in place (some Networks do, other's don't or are just re energizing them).  You are still considered disabled, so your state may also have programs available to you as well. If you need ot fight for that right, call your network for advocacy.  http://www.esrdncc.org/

Here is a link to the mid-Atlantic Network's Vocational Rehabilitation links:  http://www.esrdnet5.org/vocrehab.asp#VRResources

Making the system work for you is lesson in patience and perserverence.

My final advice is, get your resume together, proof it, have friends read it, then proof it again, and if you are applying via coverletter, do the same with your coverletters. Typos are the major barrier to getting your resume noticed by the right people.  And networking is also reallly helpful in this economy.

You can also have more than one version of your resume depending on what type of jobs you are applying for.

If you want to talk more about this, PM me, and we can get in touch privately.

Best,

Anna

[noahvale]

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[rsudock]

I agree whole heartedly  with Sax o Trix. In the states employeers don't want sick people on their insurances. Their bottom line is to make money, not care about employees. My teaching mentor always warned me to never divulge I was sick in an interview. You have a transplant now and can work.

[bette1]

Thank you all so much for your help.  I know my disability is ending soon, and I have to get something.  It's really scary for me.  I'm going to check with the state for resources and do a functional resume.  I know that I have good skill and education, but a chronological resume won't help me because of the gaps in the resume.  I'll only disclose my health status if it affects the job.  Here in the states, they really don't want to hire anyone they think will raise the insurance premiums.    We need health care reform!!!