Hi Ellen,

 Thanks for writing to us. Job searching can be stressful and exhausting, but it’s great that you’re actively trying to find a position that is better aligned with your current needs. While the process can seem never-ending at times, there are certain strategies that can be adopted to make it less stressful and less time-consuming.

It’s important to map out a daily plan that ensures you are carving out time to delve into your search. Our days can be filled with activities (both expected and unexpected), so having an entire day whiz by without dedicating time to job-hunting can happen easily. Outlining specific times that you’ll spend on it can help you manage your time and stay on track. For example, you might want to take an hour after breakfast every morning (e.g., 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM) to research companies and download their job applications; then spend another hour in the evening completing and submitting them. It’s also important to develop a self-care routine while looking for a new position. Not only can this help with the search itself, but it will be beneficial as you start your new job. Our webinar on Managing Long-Term Stress has some great tips.

There are also a ton of tools and apps that can assist with organization and productivity. Before you start sifting through the plethora of options, take time to figure out what kind of support you need most (reminders, file organization, time tracking, etc.). This will help to identify the ones that will make things easier for you.

The following resources might also be helpful:

• Resume Review Service: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new(free program where a professional coach will review your resume and provide feedback to help you refine it towards your current work goals)

• Job Search Toolkit (3^rd 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)

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

• Job-hunting After Cancer Treatment: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-hunting-after-cancer-treatment
  

• FlexJobs (https://www.flexjobs.com/)- a useful resource to learn more about the kinds of telecommuting jobs that are out there and the companies that hire for them.  They also have a very robust job board that is fully vetted and focused on those tops of roles.  Many are full-time and might provide health insurance and other benefits.  It is membership-based but you can explore everything before you commit, and if you decide to join you can enter the code CANCER when you check out to receive a 50% discount.

It can be difficult to know everything that a job encompasses before you start (including if it will be “draining”) but researching potential employers and thinking about which ones might be a good fit for you is an essential step. Websites such as Glassdoor.com have company reviews that can be very illuminating. It’s also worth exploring companies’ websites and social media feeds to get a feel for the actual organizations themselves. Once you have a sense of where you might like to land in terms of industry and/or company, it’s wise to do some networking to set up informational interviews — or even interviews for specific positions. People often like to start by reaching out to people they already know, but don’t be afraid to connect to people on LinkedIn who are outside of your immediate circle, as most people are willing to help others find their next great opportunity (or at least give them an insider’s view of the company).

The reality is that it’s almost impossible to know when a job search will come to a successful completion. It can take weeks, months and sometimes more than a year to land a job. Having a time frame in mind for when you’ll be transitioning into a new role should serve as motivation, but don’t view it as a hard-and-fast deadline. Finding ways to streamline your efforts by implementing an actionable plan will not only help you to stay productive, it is also the key to a more productive and successful job search!

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at cancerandcareers@cew.org or 646-929-8032.

Kind regards,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Senior Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers