Hi Anna,

Thanks so much for reaching out and I’m sorry to hear you’re facing these challenges! The good news is, there are ways to work around some of these explanations, without lying, and still present yourself as a trustworthy and loyal employee. I am going to pass this question along to one of our career coaches but in the meantime I wanted to address some of what you expressed in your message.

This past year has been a whirlwind in terms of changes – personal and career related. Many people had to leave their jobs for a number of reasons. With that said, you can get creative about the spin you put on your reasoning. If you have a solid reference at that job, use it! Just talk to her about what you want to be shared and what you don’t. It’s okay, and in fact more relevant, for her to more focus on your ability and skills as an employee versus discuss why you left.

As for explanations around leaving your last job and having a gap, it’s also about getting creative and really practicing what you’ll say. For instance, you can cite a desire to explore another path but then recognizing that you actually want to do whatever it is you’re applying for. Remember, no one tells everything about everything during job interviews. It’s about presenting yourself in a positive light and highlighting what it is about you, your skills, and your experience that make you the ideal candidate for the role.

I’d encourage you to utilize our free Resume Review Service to get your resume in the right shape for these positions you’re applying for and formatting in a way that shows your experience while not focusing too heavily on timelines. I’d also recommend taking a look at some of our Job Search resources as this can provide examples for interviewing and handling some of the more challenging questions and conversations.

Always feel free to reach out to us at cancerandcareeers@cew.org with any questions or if you’d like any further information.

Sincerely,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hi Anna,

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these feelings of disappointment and frustration. My initial reaction to your situation is that you are being incredibly hard on yourself. When you made the decision to leave your job, you made this decision because you thought it was the right move in order to pursue a doctoral program. Then, much to your dismay you realized that it isn't the right timing to pursue a doctoral degree. Now, you feel as if you are left with nothing so you have decided to beat yourself up about what you believe was poor decision making.

To echo Nicole a bit, there are thousands and thousands of people who have quit their jobs without a job, are changing careers, are going back to school, have moved, or are just taking a break thanks to the pandemic. Employers simply are not focused on gaps anymore especially as it is an employee's market. 

This said, it is important to get your short narrative down on about why you left in case the question comes up, practice it, and focus on your job search instead of the past. You have great experience, you are smart, a good person, and no doubt many other wonderful qualities. It's time for you to focus on these things and find your next great job!

Good luck!

Take care,

Julie