temporary rewrite of my resume

Ann Marie T. on March 19, 2019

Career Change, Career Management, Image/Professionalism, Job Search, Resume Building and Writing, Work/Life/Cancer Balance

Prior to going out on disability and then raising a child, I was ready to go back to work. I retrained for my position as a software engineer and started applying and interviewing for jobs. 3 weeks after I started this I found out I had Breast cancer. I didn't need chemo or radiation thank god but they tried 2 different estrogen meds that had very very bad side effect landing me in a hospital. I now suffer from very bad short term memory issues and cognitive thinking. I am seeing a neurologist who believes it is from the medications (chemo brain (I didn't know you can get chemo brain from these meds only from chemo)). In either event, because of this, I can't do the full-fledged jump into school or boot camp type training to re-enter the tech world. Because of the time off, I forgot A LOT! It will take time also to get back to where I could actually be ready to work in the field. However, now cancer-free and just tying up the loose ends from everything (all my reconstruction from the bilateral mastectomy, the Neurologist and memory issues, and the PTSD I have redeveloped along with the Anxiety the cancer diagnosis hit me with. I want to start training to return to work as a software engineer (IDK if I will be sticking with c# or not because IDK how much the industry has changed just yet but I do have a mentor willing to help me). Meanwhile mentally and financially I need to be back in the workplace. I can't sit home anymore!!! Anyway, I need to change my resume so that I can apply for jobs as a secretary/ administrative assistant or something of the sort. My problem is my most recent experience is all tech related. My bachelor's degree is in computer information systems and my skills are programming skills which I know I totally don't even live up to them anymore. However, every time I send my resume to an employment agency they automatically connect me to tech jobs which outside some kind of help desk I can easily be trained for I don't qualify. I want them to consider me for secretary/ admin asst. however no matter how many times I tell them that they call me only for programming jobs. Nothing seems to change it so I have realized I have to change my resume. My problem is I don't want to change my resume to the point that it hurts me when I am again looking in the tech field. Since the internet will always keep all copies of my resumes how do change my resume enough to get the job I need now without hurting my employability later? Knowing the full Microsoft package I should be able to qualify for these jobs even though I will obviously make a lot less money.

2 Comments

Image of Nicole Franklin, MPH

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Apr 1, 2019

Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:

Hi Ann-Marie,


Thanks for writing to us. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had so many challenges since your last diagnosis, but congratulations on being cancer-free and feeling ready to re-enter the workforce. Trying to figure out the best professional path forward while dealing with ongoing treatment side effects is an issue that we hear about a lot from our community.  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 (something more admin-focused). I will reach out to our career coaches to get further insight into your questions, but in the meantime, the following resources might be helpful:





I’d also recommend checking out FlexJobs (https://www.flexjobs.com/), which is 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.


You mentioned that you feel you’re behind the curve on the latest technological tools and programs necessary to re-enter the tech field. CAC offers a Professional Development Micro-Grant program that offers cancer patients and survivors professional development opportunities to build or enhance their skillsets. Although the application period for the 2019 grant year has closed, we would be happy to notify you when the next application opens! More information can be found here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/micro-grants


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


A coach will be in touch soon!


Kind regards, 
Nicole Franklin, MPH 
Manager of Programs 
Cancer and Careers

Image of Julie Jansen

Julie Jansen

Apr 4, 2019

Career Coach Comment:

Dear Ann Marie,


I am truly sorry about everything you have experienced and am happy to hear you are cancer-free! I would definitely submit your resume to CAC's resume review service because I am the coach who does these and if you specify in the text that you want to apply for an admin job so need to revise your resume to reflect this, I will base my comments on this.


However, I am not convinced that this is the type of work you should be looking for unless this is what you really want to do. I understand that you have memory loss and some cognitive challenges however given your intelligence, knowledge and aptitude, I would like to think that there are other types of jobs that might interest you a bit more. Unfortunately most people don't know what jobs exist out there as there are so many types of jobs and industries. 


I know that you need and want to get back to work however can you spend a concentrated amount of time researching other typs of jobs? 


As you have discovered, a recruiter will not submit you for an interview for an admin job. Even if you put a headline on the top of your resume stating that you are shifting careers and want an admin job, a recruiter only places or interviews people who do exactly what the client or company needs. So if you continue down this job search path, you will need to try to network with people rather then applying on-line to postings. Again, if you send your resume, I can make suggestions about what keywords and language to use to focus your resume on an admin job.


I hope I am not being discouraging. If you want to find an admin job I believe you will, just not through recruiters. FlexJobs is a great site and perhaps working in an engineering department in an admin job makes the most sense too. Please write back with any questions you have.


Take care,


Julie

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