Hi, I am still getting chemo, but would like to solidify a job before treatment is over, to lower stress. Because stress in regards to this issue is really hurting my recovery I think. The hard thing is, my desired location is a little far away. I live in CT and want to (actually, have to, for my fiancée, who is going to study) relocate to the DC/metro area.
I have called a long list of numbers and have gotten advice on other places to check out. Then I call those numbers and get advice on other numbers to call, ad nausea. I just want to learn how I can better direct my energy, in a more efficient manner. Because I feel I have expended a lot of energy in things that have turned out to be dead ends. My goal: To find a job with a non profit cancer organization in the DC area, or something to do with patient navigation or advocacy. I have a BA in sociology and don't have the money to pursue any further education at this time. How do I get the ball rolling and find people who might want to check out my resume? I am also looking for networking advice in regards to finding my desired job.
I can post my resume if someone is interested. Maybe I just need a guiding hand, someone who is willing to take a shot on a young passionate guy who might not have a huge amount of exp., but is willing to learn quickly and fight for others, in the future, who are dealing with what I am dealing with now.
Thanks
1 Comment
Margot Larson
Mar 23, 2011
Career Coach Comment:
Carl-
You are surely tackling three big boulders at one time.
Cancer Treatment, Relocation and Job Search.
Any one of these requires a great deal of energy.
Obviously the best way to find a job, particularly when relocating, is by networking. That is both time and energy consuming. As a career coach, I see statistics that indicate the search time before landing a job is more than 26 weeks. On the other hand, I have had clients land in 3 weeks.
Here are a few steps I would consider if I were in your shoes.
• Be sure that your resume is written so that it will have strong impact. A good resume can either get you in the door; a poor resume will get you screened out.
• Be prepared to sell your capabilities; do not sound desperate.
• Use the social network to get your message out. LinkedIn is a good start to define your interests and post your resume.
• Use your fiancee’s network in DC to meet the right people including the placement officer wherever she is going to study.
• Select the hospital/cancer center where you plan to get your treatment and look there for a potential opportunity.
• Volunteer while you are waiting to land the job. You may meet the right people and the volunteer opportunity could become the job.
• Find the employment agencies/recruiters that specialize in non-profit organizations and register with them.
• Register as a “temp”; some work is better than no work.
• Call the DC United Way resource center and other such organizations who might know of upcoming openings.
• Here are a few websites that list jobs for non profit in DC and nationally, that you might want to check out. I did not check them out. I simply did a quick search.
www.idealist.org/
washingtondc.craigslist.org/npo/
nonprofit.careerbuilder.com/np.ic/DC/
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/jobs/DC-non-profit-jobs.html,
www.dcjobs.com/,
dcjobsource.com/ -,
www.nonprofitjobscoop.org/18082 -,
www.localdc.com/nonprofits/-
Since Healthcare and Green Energy are two of the growing industries, you might want to focus on those.
A lot of the legwork I am suggesting can be done from your home with a telephone and a computer to develop the network you need in place before you set up meetings.
Most important, believe that you will land a job. Focus on the little successes. Maintain that same positive attitude we need to successfully battle cancer.
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