Embarking on a job search can be both exciting and challenging. With the seemingly endless options and expectations for roles, the process can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing a cancer diagnosis, and often comes with a myriad of myths that can confuse and create unnecessary stress for job seekers. A recent Indeed article dives into some of these myths, providing useful tips on how to approach them. Here are our top takeaways:

1. Hiring slows down at the end of the year. The job search is year-round and does not stop at the end of the year. Many companies find themselves with a little more room in their budget than expected and will put that towards hiring. 
2. Apply to everything. We often think that casting a wide net when looking for work will up our odds of landing a job. However, focusing on searching and applying for jobs that are closer to what your specific needs and wants are can actually be more beneficial, increasing your chances of success. By narrowing your search you are able to find better matches and get noticed. 
3. Job hopping is a negative. Having a lot of experience is a positive thing and can highlight strengths like adaptability and ability to build on your skills. Be sure to have a clear narrative on your resume and during the hiring process to explain away any worries that may arise from these frequent role changes. 
4. You have to be the perfect candidate. Don’t write off overly detailed jobs immediately. The perfect candidate with precisely matching experience and qualifications rarely exists! Therefore, the key is to pinpoint the crucial elements of a job listing and devise a strategy to demonstrate to the employer how your experience and skill set align with their requirements.

Looking for work, especially after a cancer diagnosis can feel like a daunting experience. As you are embarking on this process, it's important to distinguish between myths and reality. Dispelling these common misconceptions can help empower you throughout this part of the journey. For more on looking for work, Cancer and Careers offers a number of job search resources and tools, including:

• Our Resume Review Service offers free, personalized feedback on your resume from one of our professional career coaches!
• Check out our publications available for order and/or download, in particular our Job Search Toolkit, with a section on LinkedIn.
• You can submit a question to our panel of professional career coaches via our Ask a Career Coach message board. Many people also find it helpful to search through our log of past questions to see if their specific concern has been addressed before or to spark an idea.
• Currently working? Cancer and Careers offers patient-focused webinars through our Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar Series, that addresses many of the challenges of balancing work and cancer. For more information, and to register, click here.

To read the full Indeed article, click here.