Hi Fabian,

Thanks for writing to us. I’m happy to hear you’ve completed treatment and are in remission. Professional networking (or relationship-building) is one of the most effective ways to uncover job opportunities, so it’s great you’re thinking about how to effectively approach it during your job search —and having a LinkedIn profile is definitely a good start! It’s the ultimate online professional networking site, with more than 450 million members worldwide, and also can be an incredibly important tool in the job search process. It also sounds like you’re thinking critically about disclosure during your search, but in case you would like any additional information on that topic, I would recommend watching our webinar: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2018-webinar-online. 

I’ve reached out to one of our career coaches to get their feedback on your questions, but in the meantime the following resources might be helpful:

• CAC’s Guide to LinkedIn: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/online-footprint/guide-to-linkedin
  


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   Webinar on Building an Effective LinkedIn Profile: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/linkedin

  
  


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  Articles on networking: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/networking

  
  


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  Resume Review Service: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new

  
  


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  Job Search Toolkit (2^nd 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)

  
  

A coach will be in touch soon!

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Senior Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hi Fabian,

I echo Nicole's sentiment that it is great that you are in remission!

Networking can be daunting for anyone! LinkedIn is a great place of course. When someone asks to connect with you, I suggest you craft a customized email back to them telling them that you are looking for a new job and would appreciate a quick call with them. I would also create a target list of companies that interest you and methodically find people on LinkedIn who currently work at the companies or who have in the past.

One mistake people make when networking is that they are not specific and succinct about explaining the type of job and company they want to work for. Also, they don't view every person as someone who could potentially introduce them to new people who may have leads. This includes your dentist, your neighbors, your kid's friend's parents, etc.

Industry and trade associations are great for networking because they understand what you do. Getting in the habit of asking for referrals or to be introduced to people is key. 

You can also look at your local or regional business publications at the announcements about people in the news and reach out to those people who may understand what you do or seem like connectors of people even if you don't know them. 

It is crucial to continue to add to your network and also to remember to ask people how you may be able to help them, if not now sometime in the future so it is a reciprocal process. 

I hope this helps! There is a lot of great content on the CAC website regarding networking as Nicole mentioned.

Good luck!

Take care,

Julie