Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for writing to us. I've sent your post over to our coaches who will get back to you soon. In the meantime, I would suggest checking out the following resources to help provide some context about part-time work, cancer and a job search. and online reputation management:

-Article on Job-Hunting After Cancer Treatment: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-hunting-after-cancer-treatment
-Blog on answering tough interview questions: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/blog/answering-tough-interview-ques
-Download/order a free copy of our Job Search Toolkit: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new
-Your Online Footprint: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/online-footprint
-Filing for Disability: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/legal-and-financial/filing-for-disability

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

Best,
Maddy Meislin
Associate Manager of Programs

Hi Rebecca,

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and reaching out! I just want to jump in here and add some thoughts. It is important that you know the ins and the outs of filing for disability, it is a long complicated process predicated on the idea that you can't work (unless you are making less than the current substantial gainful activity amount, which in 2017 I believe is $1170/month). Besides the above article on filing for disability I recommend you check out: http://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2016-Disability-Insurance-Quick-Guide-Triage-Cancer.pdf. In addition, you may want to speak to an attorney. Some free/low-cost resources for that are the National Cancer Legal Services Network and LawHelp.org. Most importantly, the process is set up to deny people so don't get discouraged and definitely appeal any denials.

As for thinking about the cover letter, resume, interview process, the links Maddy provided will be very useful. For an interview, what is most important is that you think about what your answer is, what feels authentic and comfortable to you beforehand and practice so it becomes totally natural to say. I recommend taking a close look at "the Swivel" technique we talk about. In terms of your cover letter, I would focus on the why you want to do the job in question or why you want to work for the company in question, rather than feeling like you have to explain your decision to move from full-time to part-time. And then spend most of the cover letter sharing insight into your unique set of experiences that make you the best candidate. Remember your cover letter is a static document, you aren't there in person to fill in any holes or show your vibrant enthusiasm so you want to be strategic and not do anything that could put you in the no pile. The whole goal of your cover letter and resume is to get you an interview. Then in the interview if it comes up, you'll want to have an answer ready. Again perhaps more focused on the job itself or the company or perhaps focused in part on that and in part on the fact that you are in a position to have a little more flexibility in your life and so your skills plus this job plus this schedule will allow you to do everything you want, and what a rare treat that is. Or something like that. It is often all in the framing.

As for the fact that you are an advocate for research, and a Google search will show your story. Again this is a place where you need to think about what you are comfortable saying (and how to say it). But you should also know your legal rights, for more on that: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/legal-and-financial/top-three-legal-questions and http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/legal-and-financial/cancer-and-the-ada-fmla

It is also important to remember that most jobs are found through networking, and since you've built this career and you have contacts you'll want to work those too.

Hope this helps, keep us posted and feel free to reach back with any follow up questions!
Best,
Rebecca
Rebecca Nellis, MPP
Chief Mission Officer
Cancer and Careers

Hi, Rebecca,
I wholeheartedly support the recommendations of Maddy and Rebecca above. Both are experts in this area and have had extensive experience working with cancer survivors who are in a career quandry. I will add a few thoughts for your further consideration.
From my years of working with job seekers, I can say that your positioning really matters. Approach any communication, either written or spoken, with the employer's needs in mind. Sell your skills and experience as essential to solve the employer's problems or issues. Seek early in the process to understand the role, what will be expected of the person filling that role, and how success will be judged. Then, prepare your approach to show how you have solved similar problems, met similar challenges or made a difference for your past employers in a way that will translate to the new employer. Rather than focusing on your health situation, focus in discussion on how you will positively impact their needs.

It is usually best to think carefully before broaching the health issue, and then only do so if there is a need to disclose. Remember, your cancer may have changed the way you wish to work your schedule, but it did not take away your skills and industry knowledge. That is what employers are buying. Use your own personal brand, your successes, and strengths to make your case.

If you have not already done so, please check out www.flexjobs.com. It is a great source of part time and telework positions, many of them in which you can use your expertise. Other sources for part time and contract work include Guru.com and Fiver.com. Rebecca is right that more than 75 % of all positions are sourced through networking, but looking over the positions posted in these sights can help you see that the job market has changed, and those working in flexible roles are more numerous than you might have imagined. That understanding can help you feel more comfortable using that Swivel technique and the wonderful positioning suggestion Rebecca offered above.

Your strength in brand management and marketing can serve you well as you market your own strengths and skills. I wish you the best as you continue your search.

Warmly,
Kathy Flora, Career Coach