Rachel Becker, LMSW on January 31, 2022

To be human is to have emotions — no matter who you are. That said, for better or for worse, not all emotions are experienced equally in work settings. Fortunately, as discussed in a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, there are steps that can be taken to reframe how we think about crying at work and to move forward if/when it happens.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on March 12, 2021

People of all racial and ethnic backgrounds feel the impact of caregiver burden in significant ways, however, according to an article by Deborah Bonello, published in OZY, Black caregivers are more likely to experience this burden at high levels.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on April 25, 2020

This past Thursday, Cancer and Careers hosted our first Ask the Experts session as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This moderated discussion featured career coach Kathy Flora (who is also a cancer survivor) fielding questions about looking for work and continuing on the job during our current public health crisis.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on April 8, 2019

Though it may be impossible to eliminate all of the side effects of treatment, there are steps you can take and practices you can implement to alleviate obstacles to focusing and being productive at work.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on February 25, 2019

It’s a reality in today’s professional landscape that employers Google. As such, it’s essential to have a clear sense of what your “online brand” says about you.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on January 21, 2019

If you’ve ever been on a job interview, you’ve likely been asked to give an example of how you handled a challenging circumstance in a prior work situation. The STAR Method is a great tool for creating a smart, successful response. Learn more about it.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on December 17, 2018

CAC has just released a brand-new installment in our animated How-To Video Series that explores the topic of supporting a colleague with cancer.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on December 4, 2018

One of the most commonly asked (and feared) interview questions is “What’s your greatest weakness?” Understanding why it is posed can help you craft a response that demonstrates why you’d be an asset to a potential employer.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on October 15, 2018

Contrary to what many people think, trying to work harder and faster is not necessarily the best way to deal with feeling swamped at work. (In fact, depending on your specific side effects, it may not be at all practical!) Below are some tips on more realistic approaches to managing all the tasks you have at hand.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on September 9, 2018

The best way to balance out any pre-interview anxiety is to prepare and rehearse responses to potential questions.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on August 13, 2018

Cancer prompts many survivors to explore the idea of changing careers, in the hopes of increasing the degree of happiness in their life. Read on for tips on creating a map to get you there.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on July 8, 2018

There are many elements go into preparing for a successful job interview, and it's important to remember that an interview is also your opportunity to ask questions that can help you determine if a potential employer's company culture is one in which you're likely to be happy, productive and successful. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on March 19, 2018

If your cancer experience has motivated you to transition to a new field, finding a posting for your “dream job” can be equal parts thrilling and intimidating. But don’t panic! There are ways to re-frame your resume and cover letter to showcase your best self.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on January 8, 2018

A new year often spurs thoughts of how to improve ourselves and our lives — including our jobs. For cancer survivors whose experience has stirred a desire to do more meaningful work, such thoughts can be particularly potent. Read on for steps that can move you closer to “living the dream.”

Rachel Becker, LMSW on November 13, 2017

Many survivors have questions about whether and how to disclose their cancer diagnosis during the job-search process. But for those who find themselves back in the job market due to a termination, another question surfaces: How do I explain why I left my last job? Here are some tips for answering this question.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on August 21, 2017

The side effects of treatment — including chemo brain — sometimes require survivors make changes to their work habits so they can continue doing their job at the best possible level. A recent New York Times article provides some excellent tips to keep in mind when integrating new work habits into your routine.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on June 12, 2017

In today’s world, a successful job search can take some time, which can leave employment seekers feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Thankfully, an article in Fast Company outlines practical steps that can help offset the fatigue and keep you moving in the right direction. Here are a few of the highlights.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on April 24, 2017

This question comes up frequently during job interviews and can be challenging to answer — particularly for survivors whose reasons for seeking work may be tied to cancer-related concerns. Here are four tips to help you create the best possible answer.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on March 20, 2017

For many career changers, their first impulse is to take a professional development course or start networking. While these are both worthwhile initiatives, according to a recent article by Après Group, an important first step in this process is to identify transferable skills.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on February 6, 2017

Emotional Intelligence, also known as EQ, refers to our ability to understand and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. EQ plays a very important role in the context of our professional lives, and this is particularly true when it comes to balancing work and cancer.