Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for writing to us! I'm sorry to hear that you're having a hard time right now. I've sent your question over to our coaches who will get back to you shortly.

In the meantime, here are a few resources that I recommend checking out if you haven't already:
- Flexjobs (great resource for looking for flexible work options, it's subscription based but you will receive a 50% discount if you enter the code CANCER when you check out): https://www.flexjobs.com/
- Resume Review Service (you can receive free feedback from one of our coaches on your resume): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new
- Exploring Your Options: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options
- Job Search Tools: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/job-search-tools

I hope that this is helpful, our coaches will be in touch soon.

Best,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Thanks Sarah I look forward to any help and appreciate the tips!
Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

I am happy you are cancer free and sorry that the treatment has taken such a toll on your body.

You have developed many skills from running restaurants including managing people, purchasing, quality control, safety, sanitation, scheduling, food prep, menu design, customer service, budgeting, forecasting, etc. I recommend that you think about the ones that you enjoy most and can still do and then identify industries that have these types of jobs. You also need to think about your personality preferences, your boundaries and needs regarding income, commuting and lifestyle. This self-assessment process is important for you to go through in order to identify your next career.

I don't usually do this (and don't think that Cancer and Careers will mind), my book I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This is a great guide for you to use to take various assessments and help you to identify some new job/career options. The third edition just came out in March.

Once you identify some possible new paths, you will need to revise your resume to reflect what it is. Please know that people change careers all the time. It may be that you just move to working for a restaurant supplier in more of an office job or that you decide to do something more dramatically different. Either way, having a focus and then networking with people in the new industry will be key to your success in making this change.

Good luck!

Julie

Thank you Julie! My wife is helping me update my resume (which has not be reworked for many years).