Hi Katrina,

Thanks for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear about the tough journey that you have been through but glad to hear that you're doing better. I have sent your question off to our coaches who will be in touch soon. In the meantime, I would recommend checking out Flexjobs (http://www.flexjobs.com/) which is a job search service for more flexible work options (telecommuting, part-time,etc.). You can get 50% off of any memberships to the site by entering the code CANCER when you check out.

I hope that this is helpful and please let us know any other questions that you have.

Best,

Sarah, Cancer and Careers Associate Manager of Programs

Thanks for responding so quickly Sarah! I will check out flexjobs right away and look forward to the response from the career coach(s) as well. 

Katrina:

I am sorry to hear that you have had such a tough go of it these past three years.

Sarah is correct, you should check out Flex jobs. You might find something there – maybe something you can do from home.

I am not a believer in dumbing down a resume, or in omitting jobs that may make you seem as overqualified.

I suggest you present yourself to prospective employers as someone with tremendous sales and business experience.  Explaining resume gaps and the reason for taking a job for which you might appear to be overqualified at first glance will be more difficult if you do not want to disclose your health history. This is a very personal decision. I had no trouble telling my coaching and consulting clients about my Thyroid cancer diagnosis. But this is not the case for many survivors who choose to keep their health history private. I recommend you think disclosing through carefully, here are some tips from Cancer and Careers on how to think this through: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Sharing-the-News).You’re a tough person. You have dealt with a crazy life threatening disease, and you’re still here and willing and able to work. Good for you.

You might want to check out GlassDoor.com. This is a site where employees comment on their employers. You may be able to find companies that are friendly to cancer patients.

Please let me know if you would like to continue this conversation. I am happy to help you in any way I can.

All the best,

Bud

Hi Bud, 

I truly appreciate all your advice and concern. Sounds like you've been through a lot too, so the empathy is appreciated as well. Hopefully you are doing better now or at least managing. People who haven't personally been affected by cancer always think once major treatment is over we are suddenly "all better" and they can stop worrying about us!

Anyway, Flexjobs turned out to be a great suggestion (from you both.) I am signing up for the 3 month plan as it sounds like a decent amount of time to find something, so thank you. Yes, I agree that it's a touchy and difficult decision whether to tell prospective employers. It can open up a can of worms in which they will be fretting over your ability to fulfill the job duties and potentially be sick again or need a lot of time off, etc. (even though they may not decline you over illness it will still be in the back of their minds.) And one question leads to another. I also can't lift or move a lot, stand for long periods, etc which I know can come up. However I like the advice of confidently following it up by reiterating that the illness is in "the past" and that I'm doing much better now...

Based on your comments I do believe that in my case it would be prudent to briefly mention health history. I don't like to omit the skills and job history I am proud of so I will take your advice and keep them on the resume as well. 

The other question I have is regarding pay/hours. In the past the goal was of course: highest income and best benefits. Now due to Disability requirements and tiring easily from medications, I actually need to keep the hours/salary low, and not-as I did 10 years ago-jump for joy when covering shifts and earning over-time. My experience back then was that employees can end up with extra hours/income which would be a huge concern for me due to the aforementioned reasons. How do you recommend (politely) making it clear upfront that I have to stick to x-amount of hours/pay and not get talked into more? Though perhaps the sluggish economy has changed all that.. 

Thanks again for all your expert advice, opinions and of course time! I haven't always been much for forums but the new social worker at UCI suggested I check out your website and I am very glad I did. 

Katrina

Wow! You have been through so much and yet you still generate
energy and a positive mindset.  That is probably what got you through
this, so far.

So let's talk career. I hear you that you want to lower the
responsibility, hours and requirements of your next career step.  I would
like to hear what competencies you feel you have developed, both in your sales
career and through your battle with cancer and disability?

I would suggest you use your ability to deal with people and focus
on positions such as Customer Service, Patient Relations.  Look into jobs
at Cancer Centers, Hospital, any healthcare organization and perhaps non-profit
organizations with causes that appeal to you.  Make a list of your target
organizations and check their website where you will get a description of the
demands and hours of the job.  Select the jobs that fit, rather than
trying to negotiate with a potential employer to find a job that fits your
restrictions.  Also read up on your State
and the Federal ADA laws and benefits.

You may find opportunities that will pay more than a Receptionist
position. Also look into positions where you might be able to work from home.
 There are a lot of scams among these types of positions; however, I did
it for a few years helping a company to source candidates, reviewing resumes,  interviewing candidates over the phone and
presenting them to the client.  I also
worked as a Career Coach helping individuals in Job Search to understand how to
identify their skills and competencies, how to market themselves and kept them
motivated to move forward.

Since I am also on SS Disability, I know that we are limited as to
how much we can earn. From what I just read $1070 per month in 2014, and $1090
per month in 2015.  I believe that's an average which translates to a
little over $13,000 per year.  If, you were working as a self employed
person, receiving a 1099 rather than W2 employee status, that would be a net amount, which means you could
potentially earn more and could be deducting travel and other expenses.  I
have been self employed for years and this approach has benefited me.

Depending on your competencies and what you would like to do, and
until you find what suits you, there are also websites where there are freelance
assignments that you can bid on and land which would produce some interim income.
For instance, there could be writing assignments in the area of your sales
expertise for newsletters and blogs or perhaps even a potential training or
seminar, and even a Meeting Facilitation. You don’t always have to stand; you
could request to sit in a chair, or even better, at a high top table to conduct
your session.  So gather your
testimonials and references that demonstrate your capabilities. This is where
you would request accommodations in line with (ADA) American Disabilities Act .

Lastly, you mention that your medical bills have devastated your
financial situation.  If it is not too
late, know that there are individuals and entities that work with you to
negotiate down your outstanding medical bills and set up small and more
reasonable payments.  There are also
Cancer organizations that help you with financial assistance to get you through
the hard times.

 I hope some of this is helpful and will generate additional ideas
for you.

Margot

Hi Margot,

I do apologize for the delay in responding. Your suggestions are really great, first of all so thank you for all your guidance! I agree that the trouble I am running into, is that the part-time jobs that fit within the income parameters are typically retail, grocery, etc which is exactly what I am unable to do anymore, and most of the opportunities that include sitting most of the time: office, clerical, admin, sales would pay too much. 

I had been advised last year by a local SSA branch representative that the monthly was about $700 I could earn which is perhaps a reflection of where I live in CA? Not sure, or it may be due to my previous income relative to Disability I am paid each month...Either way that is extremely difficult to meet without literally finding one of the almost obsolete under the table jobs anymore. 

That said, I will look into those many options you listed. I would also ideally love to work at a non-profit organization, City job, or perhaps a museum or performance center. 

Past sales experience includes high-end retail appliances (designing kitchens for contractors, realtors, home designers for VIPs/dignitaries), G.E. Corporate (traveling product trainer),and I was a high-end travel agent for a few years. Most recently prior to being sick my husband and I owned an insurance agency. Due to geography I have jumped around industry-wise but it's pretty much always been sales related.

My competencies from sales include being 100% comfortable speaking in front of large numbers of people, putting presentations together, and having established a level of professionalism due to the demanding types of clients I happen to have served over the years. I also read people extremely well which of course comes in rather handy when you're in sales. :-)

Battling with cancer has taught me a great number of things - endurance, persistence, optimism, being your own advocate (when it comes to health insurance and doctors), and perhaps most positively, never to take anything for granted. That life's too short to worry about what others think of you, how much money you have or don't, and to focus on the little things in life be it a spectacular sunset or a favorite song you haven't heard in a while. From an employer's perspective I guess those things don't matter as much! But mainly never giving up, keeping on the task at hand, independence-for if you don't worry about yourself no one will-and strength and willpower to achieve whatever your goal(s) is/are.

You are absolutely correct in your comment about how many scams there are in the telecommuting world, more so than most other industries I've found. However I agree that you can still find some legitimate gems in between. I have been searching for several weeks now without any good bites but there have been a few nibbles.

Though I have never had a job specifically oriented around writing per se, I enjoy it very much and come from a very linguistic/teaching family so I like your idea about blogging/seminar/newsletter. My main challenge is probably now that I have not stuck to one specific sales environment for more than 4 years total and have jumped around so it may not look as favorable but I will look into those ideas for sure.

Thanks a million for all the guidance so far. Your team is excellent!