blog

Blog post thumbnail
Changing Careers? Knowing Your Transferable Skills Is Key.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on March 20, 2017

For many career changers, their first impulse is to take a professional development course or start networking. While these are both worthwhile initiatives, according to a recent article by Après Group, an important first step in this process is to identify transferable skills.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
How to Make Age an Advantage in the Job Search

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW on March 13, 2017

Many older job-seekers express concern that their age puts them at a disadvantage when job-hunting. Check out these suggestions for how to make it a positive characteristic.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
See What’s New for This Year’s Midwest Conference

Chrissy Brennan on March 6, 2017

In a few short weeks Cancer and Careers will return to Chicago for our 4th Annual Midwest Conference on Work & Cancer — this time, with exciting changes in store!

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Calming Your Cancer Anxiety

Maddy Meislin on February 27, 2017

posted in Managing Stress

Stress and anxiety are common company of a cancer diagnosis. If left unchecked, your body’s reaction to these stresses can lead to impaired immune function and an assortment of troubling symptoms. Thankfully, there are tools and techniques that can help you combat fear and anxiety, and regain a sense of control.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Addressing Professional Weaknesses During a Job Interview

Nicole Franklin, MPH on February 21, 2017

“What is your biggest weakness?” is a common job interview question. It’s also one that can be difficult for many people to answer appropriately. However, there are ways to effectively prepare for and address this question.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
How to Overcome Your Fears of Looking for Work

Chioma Onyekwere on February 13, 2017

Finding a new job can be challenging, so succumbing to job-search fears is not uncommon. However, by changing your mindset, you can overcome your anxiety and make progress in landing your dream job.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
The Role of EQ in Balancing Work & Cancer

Rachel Becker, LMSW on February 6, 2017

Emotional Intelligence, also known as EQ, refers to our ability to understand and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. EQ plays a very important role in the context of our professional lives, and this is particularly true when it comes to balancing work and cancer.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
5 “Cultural Fit” Questions You Should Ask

Maddy Meislin on January 30, 2017

An article by Monster Worldwide Inc. shares some of the best questions you should ask during the interview process to help you gain a sense of the work culture you’ll be walking into.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Don’t Meet All the Qualifications for a Position? That’s Okay!

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW on January 23, 2017

When job-searching, it is common to read a summary of the position and rule yourself out if you do not meet every qualification listed. However, you are doing yourself a disservice by not applying just because you don’t fit the exact description.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
A Benefit’s Only a Benefit If It Benefits You

Rachel Becker, LMSW on January 17, 2017

The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2016 Employee Benefits Report found there are approximately 350 different benefits being offered by today’s employers. If you are a talented candidate evaluating job offers, consider the actual value these benefits provide, particularly if your needs have changed due to cancer.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Meet CAC’s New Manager of Programs!

Nicole Franklin, MPH on January 9, 2017

My name is Nicole Franklin and I am Cancer and Careers’ new Manager of Programs. As a public health professional, I am continuously dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all people, which is why I am so excited to work for CAC.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
The Beauty of Giving Luncheon Was POWERFUL

Alicia Chin on December 19, 2016

posted in Beauty of Giving

CEW’s annual Beauty of Giving Luncheon benefiting Cancer and Careers was a huge success! Not only did it raise funds for our free programs and services, it gave us the opportunity to recognize and honor companies and individuals who have shown their commitment to philanthropy.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
What to Say If You Left on Bad Terms with Your Previous Employer

Chioma Onyekwere on December 12, 2016

For cancer patients and survivors whose departure from their previous job was in some way related to their diagnosis, formulating a response to the question “Why did you leave?” is hard.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
How to Deal with Workplace Distractions

Chrissy Brennan on December 5, 2016

These days, when there’s so much emphasis on staying connected through social media, and the “bullpen” office layout is becoming the norm, it’s no surprise that the inability to stay focused at work is on the rise.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
What If My Job References Know I Have Cancer?

Maddy Meislin on November 28, 2016

“What if my job references know I have cancer?” is a question we are often asked at Cancer and Careers. Our Chief Mission Officer, Rebecca Nellis, shares some of CAC’s ideas for what to do in this situation, on our Ask a Career Coach discussion board.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
How to Stay Resilient During Challenging Times

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW on November 21, 2016

Going through cancer can be a challenge in itself. Going back to work after a diagnosis and treatment can make the experience even more difficult. Here we explore various ways to be resilient in the face of challenge.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Don’t Create Work-Life Balance — Create Boundaries

Chrissy Brennan on November 14, 2016

posted in

Establishing work-life balance is hard — especially for cancer survivors returning to the job post-treatment. So here’s another approach: Establish boundaries instead.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Chioma Onyekwere on November 7, 2016

While there is certainly no perfect resume, you don’t want recruiters to dismiss yours because it contains one of these common mistakes.

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
To-Do or Not To-Do? How Creating Lists Can Help Your Brain.

Rachel Becker, LMSW on October 31, 2016

To-do lists can be key to helping survivors with “chemo brain” stay on track. And according to a recent article in Fast Company, the act of creating and cultivating a to-do list, regardless of whether or not you ultimately check items off that list, can be beneficial. Here’s how!

Read More

Blog post thumbnail
Give Yourself a Confidence Boost!

Maddy Meislin on October 26, 2016

We all have a tendency to compare ourselves to others, which isn't always helpful. One way to counter that is by boosting your self-confidence. Here’s how...

Read More