Hi Diane,

Thanks for writing to us. I’m happy to hear your son completed treatment and is feeling well enough to start figuring out his professional path! To start, I have a few questions that will help us think about his situation more clearly.

• Did he start pursuing a college degree and take time off for treatment? If so, what was he studying/his major? If he’s interested in working in his field of study, that might be a good indicator in terms of what he might want to do professionally.

• In terms of work, what kind of work is he interested in doing? Since he’s just starting out, he may want to consider volunteering or seeking an internship, which would help him get some experience to build his resume while still being able to set a schedule that works for him. If he’s done any of those things previously, he should include them on his resume, along with any other skills and relevant experiences that would show how great an asset he’d be to an employer.

CAC has a lot of job search content that might be useful for you and your son to look at while he thinks about his options:

• Job Search Webinar: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/job-search

• Job Search Toolkit (2nd Edition): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new (features advice on improving resumes, cover letters; interview and networking tips and other useful tools to help you during a job search)

• Webinar on Building a LinkedIn profile: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/linkedin (note that everyone has a network on LinkedIn, it isn’t just people who have a long work history. Investing time in LinkedIn could unearth some unexpected connections and opportunities)

• Job-Search Tools: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-search-tools

In addition, I would recommend checking out the Young Adults with Cancer section on our website: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/categories/resources-for-young-adults. The SAMFund, Stupid Cancer and the Ulman Foundation might be especially relevant to you son’s situation).

I look forward to hearing back from you soon!   

Kind regards,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Senior Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hello. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma back in Nov of 2023 and went through a stem cell transplant in April of 2024. In Jan of 2025 I was laid off along with a few other co workers du eto being the least tenured people on a specifc team. I have a good job as a Sr Talent Acquisition Partner making amost $100,000 a year along with having an MBA which I earned earleir in my career. Im finding it almost im possible to find any positions that are lookimg to hire someone with my ;evel of experience ( over 20 years) as most jobs Im reviewing require 3-5 years experience and along wit that I still have montly treatmenst I have to continue to go through for at least another 2-3 months. AT this point I m considering wanting to get out of the corporate world and work in a different capacity , perhaps in an environmemnt where I may be abl eto help others who are exepriencing the same challenges I faced over teh past 2 years. Its not all about $$ but I just am not seeing any opportunities specifcially for individuals fighting or surving cancer. Any thoughst would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Renato Donofrio

Hello Renato,

Thank you for reaching out to Cancer and Careers. I am sorry to hear of your recent layoff. It can often feel challenging to be "overqualified" for jobs but I think it can also be about how you frame it. I am happy to pass your inquiry along to one of our career coaches.

In the meantime, I'd recommend you take a look at the materials in the Looking for Work section of our website, and in particular, exploring your options if you do think you may want to transition to a new field or line of work. It is unlikely you will see a job being advertised as 'for cancer survivors'. What you can do instead is research employers and read up on the culture and environment - perhaps they are known for having a more diverse staff, or have been touted to be a flexible working environment. Those types of qualities can give you a sense of what their values are and what it might be like to work there.

I hope the above resources are helpful as you await a respponnse from a career coach. If you would like more resources please feel free to reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org.

Warmly,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Renato,

First, I want to acknowledge the immense resilience you’ve shown—not only in overcoming serious health challenges but also in navigating a career transition under difficult circumstances.  As a Talent Acquisition leader myself, I am fully aware of the current job market challenges in our field, regardless of the health challenges you have been facing.  It is taking many talented professionals longer to find their next opportunity, and if looking for remote, even longer.

While my personal story is different, for me it was being a caregiver for our daughter who was diagnosed in 2014, that brought me here to Cancer & Careers, and also to a role in the Healthcare industry. 

Since many postings skew toward early-career candidates, consider:

• 
  Targeting Mid-Sized & Mission-Driven Organizations: Smaller firms often value experience but may not have structured job levels that discourage senior applicants.


• 
  Leveraging Your Network: Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and cancer-focused groups to explore opportunities that aren’t publicly posted.


• 
  Reframing Your Resume & LinkedIn: Highlight not just years of experience but specific skills and impact, positioning yourself as a strategic advisor rather than focusing solely on tenure.

If you’re open to interim work while exploring a career pivot:

• 
  Fractional or Contract TA Roles: Many companies hire senior TA professionals on a contract basis, which could offer flexibility.


• 
  Freelance Career Coaching: Platforms like LinkedIn, Clarity.fm, or even your own website could help you provide career support for cancer survivors and professionals in transition.

Your experience, skills, and personal journey give you a unique perspective that could be incredibly impactful in the right setting. If I can help refine your approach or strategize further, I’d be happy to continue the conversation, connect on LinkedIn, and help across my network as well.

Best of luck with everything,

Best,
Brandon Gottlieb