Most people know that looking for work is time consuming and that it can take a while before you see any substantive results. For anyone who is job-hunting during or after cancer treatment, the process can be particularly challenging — not to mention tiring. Therefore, it’s important to maintain your energy and not lose momentum!
A recent article from Ladders highlights some actionable ways to keep you going during the job search. We’ve focused on a few that are especially relevant to cancer survivors:
Pay attention. It might sound obvious to say, but staying positive is imperative when looking for work. While it can be difficult to do during a process often fraught with disappointments and setbacks, remaining optimistic can, in turn, help you stay engaged and focused. This includes being open-minded to whatever twists and turns the process may take and identifying how some of those surprises can be transformed into a positive takeaway or learning experience. Your mindset, in conjunction with applying best practices for job searching, are extremely important elements in all of this.
Do the legwork. You know you need to network, but before you go ahead and reach out to all your contacts on LinkedIn and other social networks, spend time thinking about which individuals are the most appropriate and relevant ones to contact and what type of help you want to ask them for. By avoiding asking the wrong person for the wrong thing, you’ll ultimately save time and remain on track. Our resources on networking can help jump-start the process, by providing effective techniques and information on the appropriate forums to use.
Polish your personal brand. This includes making sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and reflective of all of your skills and experience and that your resume has the impact you need it to. CAC’s free Resume Review Service can help ensure that yours is polished, professional and compelling. When considering the entirety of your professional brand, our webinar on Disclosure, Privacy, & Online Brand can assist you in identifying the most important aspects of your digital persona and making sure they sync up with the image you want to project.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or even defeated, by the job search — don’t despair! It won’t always feel that way. Take a deep breath and get yourself organized and prepared. Consult our articles on looking for work, check out our Job Search and Career Change webinars, and browse (or post your own question to) our Ask a Career Coach forum. And, perhaps most important to remember: Be good to yourself throughout the process — although it can be long and frustrating, if you put in the work you will get the outcome you are looking for!