Regardless of the industry or level of experience, job-hunting can be stressful and often feel defeating. The best way to ensure a smooth job-search process is to prepare. However, in this day and age, when thousands of articles and how-to guides can be accessed via the click of a button, it can be challenging to identify “bad” advice. 

A recent article from cheatsheet.com, in conjunction with livecareer.com, highlights 15 beliefs regarding the job-hunting process that are actually myths. We’ve highlighted those most relevant to the cancer community, so that you’re able to job hunt effectively without getting caught up in poor practices.

•  All positions are listed on job boards or online. As our volunteer career coaches have mentioned, only a small number of jobs are found via job boards or online ads. The majority of positions are part of the "hidden" job market. This highlights the importance of networking.
• A cover letter isn’t that important. Aside from the resume, the cover letter is one of the most important aspects of job hunting. It allows the candidate to give insight into his/her experience and skill set and what makes them uniquely suited for the role.
• Qualifications are everything. Yes, it is certainly important to have the requested qualifications for a role; however, do not underestimate the power of soft skills and the ability to reflect your potential. While you may not have every qualification listed, if you put in the time to assess how your existing skill set can be applicable, that could be a game changer.
• Changing your career is a pipe dream. While a career change is not the easiest transition, it’s absolutely attainable. Make sure to do appropriate research about positions and companies, understand how your skills can translate into a different industry or role, and be prepared to explain how you can contribute to the new field. 

Preparation is key when job-hunting. Though looking for work can often feel like a job in itself, by taking measures to ensure that you’re following accurate advice and putting in the effort where it’s necessary can mean the difference between an endless search and finding a position you’re satisfied with.

Cancer and Careers offers numerous tools to help you get the job! Make sure to take advantage of our free Resume Review Service. Whether you’re concerned about resume gaps, looking for a change in career or just want to freshen up your resume, our volunteer career coach is ready to help!

Our Balancing Work & Cancer webinar series is a great place to get practical and up to date advice on the Job Search, Changing Careers, and Enhancing Your Skills. You can register for our upcoming live sessions, or check out the recordings in our Video Archive.

Finally, we have a number of articles focused on Looking for Work, as well as employment-related publications, including our Job Search Toolkit.

Cancer and Careers is here to help you get prepared to look for work, whether it’s during the initial application phase, the interview process, or when determining whether you’ll need reasonable accommodations in the workplace. So please reach out with any questions you may have and we’ll assist you with finding the information you’re looking for.