Hi James,

Thanks for writing to us, it's great that you've recognized your job is no longer serving you and are starting the process to find one that does. I've sent your question over to our coaches who will get back to you soon.

In the meantime, if you haven't already, I recommend that you take a look at these resources to help with your job search:
- Exploring Your Options: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options
- Finding Meaningful Work: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/finding-meaningful-work
- Job Search Tools: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-search-tools
- Work/Employment resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/categories/work-employment
- Job Search Toolkit (can be ordered or downloaded for free): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new
- We have a Job Search Webinar coming up later this year, which you can register for here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-jobsearch or you can watch the recording of last year's Job Search Webinar here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc-2015/job-search

Please let us know if you have additional questions and our coaches will be in touch soon.

Best,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Hi James,

You have had a rough haul however you definitely have great experience and education! FYI, I will be reviewing your resume as well in the next week.

You don't really ask a specific question so let me talk to you about job search in general. You are in a role that is very marketable. While you probably will be able to get interviews through headhunters, it is also important for you to create a target list of companies that you find interesting and begin to network into them and track whether they have openings that you are interested in whether it be accounting or project management. Job board postings are more of a long shot because so many qualified and unqualified candidates tend to apply to these. It is good that you are open about your disabilities.

Just remember that because you are working full time it will always take longer than you might expect to get interviews and job offers. Be patient and continue practicing responses to interview questions to help you build your skills and confidence.

Please send any specific questions that you may have James!

Take care,

Julie

My main question is where is the best place to look for a job?

I have sent out hundreds of resumes and had a few interviews. I am ready to move for a job. The main reason I am here is to be around the family. Being around family does not pay the bills. I have had over $20k in medical bills and that does not count the money I lost by not working. I leave work everyday angry and unhappy, not a good way to go home.

I want a job that challenges me as I have overcome a lot of adversity. When I went in for my surgery 5 years ago I was a walking talking normal person. When I woke up a few days later in the ICU I barely could say a few words, could only take a few step and lost my ability to write. After the radiation and 12 months of chemo I could not see good, so I gave up driving.

After learning how to walk again first with a walker then a cane and now mostly without assistance I feel WHY.

This sounds like a hard thing, but it is not at the top of the list. I have been homeless more times than I can count. I dropped out of school my senior year as I had no home to lay my head. After a few years I thought I could do better so I joiner Job Corps and learned some skills. I completed the 2 programs in record time so I went on to the ACT program and started going to community college. I graduated from there 2 years later with my general studies degree and transferred to the university. After two years at the university, I traveled to Argentina and spent the next 3 months traveling. I then returned to the states and finished my studies and graduated with a degree in Finance, a minor in Economics and a certificate in International Business. After not being able to find a job locally, I joined the Peace Corps. As I waited, I went to work for my brother framing house, basically building a house from the ground to the roof. This is one of over 20 jobs I have had. I then received an assignment to serve in Peru. I lived in the Andes for two years and learned the culture and earned acceptance. I married down there and spent two years trying to get my wife a Visa to live with me in the states. She was finally approved in 2008 and then I got sick in 2011. Basically this was like having my life robbed from me. I have spent the last 5 years relearning how to do things. I went to rehab and had to learn how to use a fork and spoon, which is even harder as I had to use a hand I was not use to using. My wife has stuck by me (luckily) and we just recently (by chance or luck) had a child.

If it was not for him I would have given up. I feel I am only working to pay bills. My typing went from 50 to 10 wpm. 10 keying, a required skill in my my profession, was severely hampered as I have to use a hand that I was not trained on. Everything I do takes me longer to complete. Simple task are very hard for me. I didn't use scissors for years as I was afraid of cutting myself. So I must tell an employer in a job interview that there are things which I can not do. The reaction is to go to the next candidate.

So my question is what now?

Hi James,

It sounds like you've really been through a lot. I'm sorry that you're feeling so stuck in your current job and with your job search. Have you ever thought about flexible work options? Telecommuting could be a great option for you. If this is something you'd be interested in, I would recommend checking out FlexJobs, a great resource for finding flexible work (they hand screen every job listing): https://www.flexjobs.com/

It is a subscription based service, but if you enter the code CANCER when you check out you'll get 50% off.

I hope that this is helpful.

Best,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Hi James,

Sarah's idea about looking for flexible work is a good one to explore. However I realize that you really need a new full-time job that pays you fairly and provides stimulation. You have endured so much so it's no wonder you are angry and frustrated. Focusing on the good things such as your wife and new baby are extremely important. Also, look at all of the amazing things you have achieved despite so many obstacles.

Unfortunately applying to on-line postings is one of the least effective ways to get interviews. The most effective is through networking in person, on LinkedIn and in networking groups. People who meet you, get to know you or just want to help you are your best bet for finding a new job. It's not easy to do but I would start small by connecting with two new people a day on LinkedIn and setting up one networking phone call or meeting a week just to talk to people and get ideas is a very important activity.

If you decide you want to relocate, it's important to have a focus on the geographic area and then do research on employers there and start building a network in that area.

I wish there was an easy answer James, however, I know that anyone we have worked with who has disabilities and has persevered has found a new job. It also sounds like you may need to talk to someone besides your family so that you can manage your anger and frustration because to your point, this is not helping your situation. It's hard to be motivated when you are feeling these emotions all the time.

Best wishes,

Julie

I am a cure cancer patient I need job very desperately will you help me for it . I completed my masters in Acupressure. and now I am officially a Therapist. plz I need job in this field if possible.. my patients are very with my treatment..

Hi Tirtha,

Thanks for reaching out! We aren't able to identify jobs for you, but here are some tools we offer related to conducting a successful job search.

- Resume Review Service: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new (get your resume reviewed by one of our profssional career coaches for free)
-Interviewing methods and tips: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interview-methods
- Job Search Tools: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-search-tools
- Work/Employment resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/categories/work-employment
- Job Search Toolkit (can be ordered or downloaded for free): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new
- We have a Job Search Webinar coming up later this year, which you can register for here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-jobsearch or you can watch the recording of last year's Job Search Webinar here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc-2015/job-search

I hope that it is helpful! Best of luck on your job search!

Best,
Maddy

hi Maddy thank you for the reply... iam very happy dear. Iam looking for such a job where I can treat patients with and old Acupressure therapy.. which has no harm no side effects at all. as I have completed my course in Acupressure Therapist I take patients for Arthritis, frozen shoulder, legs, sciatica vein, heart, gas problem, etc.... It is begin proved that my patients are getting relief from pain and can live normal life. I wanted to work under Md Doctor. need such kind of job

@ territorial io: Hope that you can find your new job soon.