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Job interviews

S

Standup

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 3c
I'm in the process of being made redundant which means at some point I might have to think about getting another job. I'm wondering how upfront people are about their diabetes? I'm going to be looking at remote working, desk jobs which means during the working day its not really a problem but quite often due to highs/lows I have very interrupted nights sleep which might make early morning starts a challenge. There's also time off for medical appointments which because of the cancer I had last year can be a day or two each month as well as the diabetes.

I know there's no obligation on me to mention them but it also feels it would be unfair to spring it on an employer after they've hired me. My last employer had no problems with time off but I won't have a track record with any future employer.

I also suspect that being upfront I'm probably limiting my employment prospects.
 
Ok @Standup This is my take on the situation

When you apply for a job, there could very well be a medical questionnaire attached to it and you have a legal obligation to fill it out honestly and to the best of your knowledge.

If and when you get an interview, they will already know you have diabetes and cancer, but you still got the interview

If on the other hand you get an interview without having to declare any medical conditions, I wouldn't, as my opening statement say, hey guys, I've got all these medical conditions.

If and when you are offered the job, I'm sure at that point there would or should be a medical questionnaire, which you must answer honestly and then it's down to them if they wish to follow up on it.

I wish you luck

Alan
 
be upfront about your issues Thay cant discriminate against you on those grounds
Good luck in your job hunting keep us posted
 
Some years ago, I had the same debate with myself. If they know and choice not to employ me because of it, that is not a company I want to work for. O the other hand, is it something I want them to be using to make the decision?
In the end, I decided not to mention my diabetes unless I can "sell" it as a positive thing.
For example, I used to write a blog for Diabetes Uk which was an opportunity to show off my writing skills. At one interview, I was asked what technical interest I had outside of work and I explained my insulin pump and CGM.

But, I don't tell them on the basis that I may need more time off work because I am covered by the DDA for that and not something we can plan for - it may be diabetes today but I may contract another medical condition after I start.
On a day to day basis, diabetes has very little impact apart from making more more organised.

I certainly wouldn't lie about it if I am asked but that is the same whether it was diabetes or any other medical condition. The kind of jobs I do, do not require a medical questionnaire until I get the offer.

I hope your redundancy is generous and your job search is fruitful.
 
A long time ago I did graduate interviews by the score. One stands out for me where the candidate had a massive deformity of one shoulder. Quite simply it made him look very odd and no doubt he would have had difficulties in any job requiring physical dexterity.

A look at his application suggested he was far from the academic standard we were looking for but whatever I tried to explore, he returned to the question of his deformity and at one point was almost pleading with me not to take it into account in any decision. He failed the interview and I took the trouble to feed back to the University graduate placement people that they needed to work with him on his interview technique otherwise he would never get an offer.

So, my thought for you is that you at some point in the interview you very matter-of-factly explain your medical history, the long term implications of being a 3c and show you had a clear understanding of how to deal with it with minimal impact on your employability. Don't labour it, just be simple, straightforward and informative. Use it to show your communication skills and your attitude to adversity - a good interviewer will pick up on that.
 
Standup said:
I'm in the process of being made redundant which means at some point I might have to think about getting another job. I'm wondering how upfront people are about their diabetes? I'm going to be looking at remote working, desk jobs which means during the working day its not really a problem but quite often due to highs/lows I have very interrupted nights sleep which might make early morning starts a challenge. There's also time off for medical appointments which because of the cancer I had last year can be a day or two each month as well as the diabetes.

I know there's no obligation on me to mention them but it also feels it would be unfair to spring it on an employer after they've hired me. My last employer had no problems with time off but I won't have a track record with any future employer.

I also suspect that being upfront I'm probably limiting my employment prospects.
Click to expand...
I never tell them until I'm already working in a job, and that's purely because it's not relevant to the role or the questions they're asking me. But also, people can unfortunately be quick to discriminate.

In my workplace we have lots of people with different health conditions who need time off now and again for appointments etc, it's quite normalised here, and hopefully is in most workplaces these days.

If you end up filling in a health questionnaire for reasonable adjustments after being offered a role you'll be given an opportunity to give details then.
 
Alan44 said:
Ok @Standup This is my take on the situation

When you apply for a job, there could very well be a medical questionnaire attached to it and you have a legal obligation to fill it out honestly and to the best of your knowledge.

If and when you get an interview, they will already know you have diabetes and cancer, but you still got the interview

If on the other hand you get an interview without having to declare any medical conditions, I wouldn't, as my opening statement say, hey guys, I've got all these medical conditions.

If and when you are offered the job, I'm sure at that point there would or should be a medical questionnaire, which you must answer honestly and then it's down to them if they wish to follow up on it.

I wish you luck

Alan
Click to expand...
Thanks - I've never had to fill in a medical questionnaire - DBS and positive vetting but I can't think of a job where I've actually been asked about my health formally or informally (which I know isn't allowed in theory) but agree its important to answer honestly if asked.
 
gail2 said:
be upfront about your issues Thay cant discriminate against you on those grounds
Good luck in your job hunting keep us posted
Click to expand...
In theory they can't but in theory they shouldn't discriminate against me for being at the mature end of the age spectrum but people will and do. As someone mentions above though would you want to work for a company like that?
 
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the view is not to mention anything unless asked. I suspect as I'm looking at roles for which in theory I'm very over qualified there may be some questions about why am I taking a big pay cut, less responsibility etc. I think that might be the point the raise it in terms making work/life balance changes.
 
Best of luck with the job hunting @Standup and hope you find a good company to work for where you thrive and contribute. That matters more than any medical condition we are living with to a decent company.
 
Standup said:
they shouldn't discriminate against me for being at the mature end of the age spectrum but people will and do.
Click to expand...
A few years ago, I read about "Botoxing your CV" and making you look younger. At least on paper. This doesn't mean lying but it means things like
- removing dates from any qualifications. Or removing them all together if they are no longer relevant
- removing any jobs older than 10 years ago
- making sure your contact email is not hotmail or AOL
Remember to reflect any changes you make on your CV on LinkedIn.

Although it may be harder to hide your age if you have a face to face interview, at least it increases your chances of getting the interview in the first place.

This has worked for me where I have got my last 3 jobs since my 50th birthday.
 
Standup said:
That made me smile!
Click to expand...
It was something I missed at first.
I have had my hotmail account for nearly 30 years (and forward them all to outlook) which dates me - half the people I am working with were not alive then!
 
helli said:
A few years ago, I read about "Botoxing your CV" and making you look younger. At least on paper. This doesn't mean lying but it means things like
- removing dates from any qualifications. Or removing them all together if they are no longer relevant
- removing any jobs older than 10 years ago
- making sure your contact email is not hotmail or AOL
Remember to reflect any changes you make on your CV on LinkedIn.

Although it may be harder to hide your age if you have a face to face interview, at least it increases your chances of getting the interview in the first place.

This has worked for me where I have got my last 3 jobs since my 50th birthday.
Click to expand...
Yes this! Such a good idea.
No need to have the years you attended which schools / university on the CV.
List any relevant qualifications, and recent qualifications / training with dates completed, that shows if you have been keeping up to date, but only a few years old.

I talked about my diabetes in my interview for my most recent job, we are a tech related firm so it helped me get my job. But I don't always. Sometimes I do if I can use having it as a good example of something. As others have said being organised or adapting to changes or things outside of my control.
 
Standup said:
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the view is not to mention anything unless asked. I suspect as I'm looking at roles for which in theory I'm very over qualified there may be some questions about why am I taking a big pay cut, less responsibility etc. I think that might be the point the raise it in terms making work/life balance changes.
Click to expand...
I returned to teaching after having gone up the scales and done other work. I returned at the bottom, with reduced salary BUT I loved being able to do what I really wanted to do. Teaching children, enjoying being in the classroom. No management meetings just time to prepare and enjoy my lessons. A fantastic way to finish my teaching career and I had time to enjoy offering at her activities to the students such as Badminton Club, and had time to take part of the various music groups during lunchtimes.

There were some questions at my interview about my view of the years ahead but they were happy with my delight at wanting to simply teach children.
 
Standup said:
I'm in the process of being made redundant which means at some point I might have to think about getting another job. I'm wondering how upfront people are about their diabetes? I'm going to be looking at remote working, desk jobs which means during the working day its not really a problem but quite often due to highs/lows I have very interrupted nights sleep which might make early morning starts a challenge. There's also time off for medical appointments which because of the cancer I had last year can be a day or two each month as well as the diabetes.

I know there's no obligation on me to mention them but it also feels it would be unfair to spring it on an employer after they've hired me. My last employer had no problems with time off but I won't have a track record with any future employer.

I also suspect that being upfront I'm probably limiting my employment prospects.
Click to expand...
I recently went through the whole redundancy job hunt thing with various medical conditions. You don’t have to go into minute detail about the nature of your conditions but it might worth asking, when the interview conversation turns to shifts/availability/etc, what the flexibility is for starting/finishing early/late as you may have some drs appointments coming up. You only really need to go into detail about you’re conditions if it reaches a point where they will impact your ability to complete specific aspects of your role (e.g. your role includes manual handling & your waiting for surgery on your shoulder or something) or you might need extensive/regular time off (e.g. your going to be going through dialysis once a week), or if it’s a long term/chronic disability that you need them to provide reasonable adjustments for.
 
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