The thought of looking for a job can feel daunting at any age, but even more so when you’re just starting out and you have (or had) cancer. Below are some basics for how to approach the process, and what to keep in mind if cancer is part of your story.

1. Get Ready
If you’re looking for your first steady, long-term (i.e., non-summer) job — whether that’s because you’re a recent high-school or college graduate or you finished school a while ago but cancer has delayed your job search — it helps to prepare before actually jumping in.

Part of that preparation is recognizing that job-hunting can feel like a roller-coaster ride — some days will bring new leads and interview opportunities, others will bring rejection and setbacks. It can be tiring, emotionally draining, and at times defeating. As best you can, try to stay focused and positive, and take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Remember there will be good days too!

Another preparatory step is to develop a clear idea of what type of job you want to pursue and how to go about it. If you have a few different directions that you are open to/interested in, try to narrow down some of the more foundational aspects of the job or industry to focus on. Asking yourself the following questions is a good jumping-off point:

• “What am I interested in?”
• “What kind of skills and/or work experience do I have?”
• “Are companies currently hiring for the type of job I want?”
•  “Do I know anyone who does this kind of work or is employed at a company that has this kind of position?”

When thinking about what you’re interested in, consider both the type of job you want as well as what interests you in general — What do you like to do? What are you passionate about? Pursuing a position in a field that really excites you (vs. an industry that is trendy or you think you should go into) may increase the likelihood that you’ll be engaged and fulfilled by what you do. Also important is to consider what you don’t want to do, as this can also help you to determine a clearer direction.

As for skills and experience, remember that “experience” doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve done that exact kind of work. Nor does experience need to be work-related. People gain very valuable and relevant experience from activities such as volunteering, being a member of a club or taking part in a community-service project. So think broadly about the ways in which various things you’ve done might be relevant to jobs you want to apply for. For example, were you ever part of a school club that hosted events? If you had anything to do with the planning of those events you could point to your skillset in organization and/or communication and discuss the impact your contributions made on the success of the event. It’s a good idea to explore what your involvement in any activities may highlight about your work ethic, strengths or skills.

2. Get Set
Next Up: You’ll need to write a resume and create a LinkedIn profile. When it comes to job-hunting, these two items are essential in the initial steps of the process. Whether you apply for a job in person, by email or through an online portal, you will be asked for a resume (and likely a cover letter). Online applications often have a field for you to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. If not, be sure to include it at the top of your resume.

Cancer and Careers has tons of resources on how to write a strong resume and create an effective LinkedIn profile. We also have sample resumes and a free Resume Review Service — so be sure to check them out. If you’ve had to take time off during or after college to manage your cancer, you may also find it helpful to consult our article on addressing gaps on your resume.

Another final step before actually submitting an application is to do some research — on industries that are growing, companies that are hiring and who some of the key players are at the organizations you’re targeting.

When researching companies, find out as much as you can about their benefits, policies and culture. Understanding an organization’s benefits (e.g., health insurance options, leave policies, access to an Employee Assistance Program) is critical for anyone with a cancer history. Getting a sense of the company culture is also key. Knowing whether the organization promotes a healthy work-life balance and a congenial, supportive work environment can help inform whether it’s a place you’d really want to work. Check out this article that delves into how to best research potential employers to assess if they are going to be a good fit for your needs.

3. Go!
After preparing your resume and LinkedIn page and giving careful thought to what you’d like to do and the kind of place you’d like to work, you’re ready to begin applying for jobs. As mentioned above, the application process will vary based on the employer. If a cover letter is required, you’ll want to write a clean (i.e., error-free, proofread), concise, thoughtful and tailored letter. (CAC has some great resources for this as well: See “Mastering Your Cover Letter.”)

For most people, the job search doesn’t end with a single application. More often than not there are multiple applications that need to be submitted, interviews that need to be conducted, networking and follow-up that need to happen. But knowing the basics and the key first steps can help make the process feel more manageable.

For more on job-hunting, order a copy of our free Job-Search Toolkit.

Updated 2024