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How To Explain A Career Gap Due To Cancer

If you've been out of work because you've had a life-threatening illness or cancer, I am so happy that you're okay. That is the first priority. Who cares about your gap in employment? Let's get you healthy first. And the fact that you are looking for work means you're on the other side of it. So to me, that's the story to tell.

The sad thing is 20 years ago you couldn't admit you had a life-threatening illness because people wouldn't hire you. Is that still happening today? I know it is. It's unfortunate. It stinks. But I've worked with a lot of people in your position, and I've found that if we can get the right verbiage and find the right way to answer this employment gap question, it can work in your favor, as opposed to it being a negative.

You might be wondering if you should lie when answering the employment gap question. I'm not a fan of lying, and I also don't think you need to. But, at the same time, I'm not a fan of shock value.

So here's my advice...

How To Explain A Gap In Employment Due To Cancer

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @t.a.m.m.a.m.a.y How to explain your career gap due to cancer. â¥ï¸ #gapsinemployment #cancersurvivor #howtoexplain #jobadvice #jobtok #gaps #employment #careeradvice #careertiktok #jobsearchtips #jobtiktok #careertok â¬ Unstoppable - Sia

When the hiring manager asks why there is an employment gap on your resume, respond with, "That's a great question," because that way you're immediately going into this conversation with a positive tone. And it's the truth. It is a good question because you're going to answer it with enthusiasm.

Here's how to structure the rest of your answer...

"It's a (blank)-year gap because I had a life-threatening illness. I had cancer. And I am so happy to say that I'm here because I'm on the other side of it. Being sick for (blank) years, getting through cancer, and being a survivor has taught me (blank). I feel (blank) about work now. This is why I'm excited. I want to leverage (blank) skills. And I know I'd have that opportunity at this company."

In summary, when you explain a gap in employment due to cancer, talk about:

The things you've learned
How you feel about work now
Why you're excited about this employment opportunity
The skills you want to leverage

Show the hiring manager that you've taken this very powerful experience in your life and you've dealt with it. You're amazing, and now you're on the other side of it and ready to go. This draws them in. Now they're your champion. Now they want to place you in that job.

So there's a right answer to this employment gap question. There's a right story to tell. And with the right practice, you can get to the interview and tell it with enthusiasm and get them on your side.

I hope this helps because you are amazing. If you're reading this and you survived, you are amazing and that means we can get you hired too. Go get 'em!

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How To Explain A Career Gap Due …

Have you considered becoming a rideshare driver to earn some extra cash? Rideshare driving is incredibly easy to get into and offers many great perks for you. While Uber and Lyftâs stringent driver prerequisites may seem daunting, they only serve to ensure that you are a good driver and your car is safe. Passenger safety […]

The post What Are the Best Benefits of Becoming a Rideshare Driver? appeared first on Jobacle.com.

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What Are the Best Benefits of Becoming …

A job search is filled with unknowns, assumptions, and first-times. But what you should know is that you aren’t the only one to experience these situations and there’s almost always a work-around or solution. Working with other job seekers, sharing experiences and learning from each other is one way to bridge the gap in what […]

The post Summary Sunday: Issue 521 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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Summary Sunday: Issue 521

Are you ready to take the first step toward unlocking your true professional potential?

If so, we're inviting you to take this incredibly accurate career assessment quiz.

The Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine what your workplace persona are. That means you'll get a sense of who you are as a working professional and what makes you thrive at work. You'll find out how you like to create value and what your professional strengths are, which will help you find the right career for YOU.

Here are a few examples of what your persona could be:

Visionary

Visionaries are big-picture thinkers and conceptualize ideas to motivate others to action.

Are you: Capable of shaping a vision for those who can't see the possibilities?

Can you: See the end before the beginning? Are you able to assess from a bird's-eye view?

Do you: Have a long-term mindset and plot your course accordingly?

Optimizer

Optimizers assess, analyze, and map out improvements that directly save or make money.

Are you: Someone people rely on to make sound financial decisions?

Can you: Assess a business or project and immediately see ways to save or make money?

Do you: Gain satisfaction from knowing your work makes the business more profitable?

Builder

Builders execute a plan, managing all aspects, keeping it on time and under budget.

Are you: A specialist in your field with lots of hands-on experience?

Can you: Execute a plan and work through roadblocks to completion?

Do you: Like to focus on ways to do things better, faster, cheaper, etc.?

Educator

Educators close gaps in knowledge and ensure staff is clear on their roles and goals.

Are you: Good at organizing thoughts into oral and written communications to motivate and train others?

Can you: Take control of an idea and choose the right method for communicating it?

Do you: Excel at wordplay and use communication skills to guide conversations?

So, What's Next?

Man on computer takes Work It Daily's Career Decoder Quiz

There are eight workplace personas in total. Which one are you?

If you want to learn what your top workplace persona is, and how it impacts your ability to find career success and satisfaction, check out this free career assessment quiz.

Seriously, knowing who you are as a working professional and what makes you happy on the job will help you be successful in your career or job search.

Don't waste another day not knowing your professional strengths. Take the Career Decoder Quiz to unlock your potential today!

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Unlock Your Potential With The FREE Career …

As you scroll through your social media feeds, it's not uncommon to see the businesses that you follow post pictures from various community service projects that they participate in. It can sometimes be easy to quickly look at these posts, say, "Oh, that's nice," and move on. But the importance of what these businesses are doing can't be overstated.

The importance of workplace community service projects goes far beyond the good deed itself. Here are three reasons why every company should consider taking part in community service:

It's Important To Make A Difference

Businesses that have the means usually try to give back through a variety of channels. Sometimes it takes the form of backing an initiative such as environmental sustainability, or it could be backing multiple philanthropic efforts, including donating to or having partnerships with multiple charities.

Volunteering and community service tend to be two of the most popular charitable activities because they allow the workforce to get out of the office and build bonds between the business and the community.

If everyone with the means to do so was able to help out, it would solve a lot of problems in the world. That's why any effort taken by a business to give back is important. No effort is too small!

It's Good For The Workforce

There's something about changing up the daily routine that can really invigorate a workforce.

Leaving the office for a day outside cleaning up the community, building something, or volunteering can really benefit employees. For one, it gives employees a chance to work together and interact outside of the office, allowing them to get to know each other better in a somewhat more relaxed setting.

In addition, working together with co-workers on different tasks outside of the office is great team building and could potentially lead to better work performance and pride in the workplace.

According to a 2017 Deloitte Volunteerism Survey, 89% of those surveyed believe that companies that organize volunteer and charitable activities offer better work environments than those that don't, and 70% agree that companies that sponsor such activities have a much more pleasant work environment.

Some companies are unable to commit their entire workforce to a full day of community service and will instead offer their employees paid time off, also known as volunteer time off (VTO), to pursue community service endeavors on their own time.

For some employees, workplace community service may be their first experience with community service and it could encourage them to take part in other efforts outside of work.

Taking part in community service not only teaches employees good philanthropic efforts, but it brings the office together.

It's An Important Part Of Your Employer Brand

Imagine this situation! You're heavily recruiting a potential new employee and it's down to your company and a rival company. The pay and benefits are similar but, ultimately, the employee chooses your company because they're impressed with your community service efforts.

This isn't a far-fetched scenario!

Community service is an essential part of a company's employer branding efforts. According to a 2017 Glassdoor survey, 75% of U.S. workers surveyed said they expect their employer to support community service/volunteer efforts. It's also an essential part of a company's culture, as 70% of employees surveyed by Deloitte said volunteer activities are more likely to boost employee morale than company-sponsored happy hours.

Job seekers want to know what type of charitable efforts your company is involved in and those efforts should be featured prominently on your company's website under your company culture section and on social media. Knowing that a company is socially aware and that they have an opportunity to do some good is an attractive perk for job seekers looking for their next career opportunity.

Need help with your employer branding efforts?

Check out Work It Daily's Employer Story Builder program.

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3 Reasons Why Your Company Should Participate …

When you look at your team, do you see diverse skills and perspectives, shared vision, and adaptability? If so, you have the key components that can turn a good team into a great team achieving higher levels of performance, productivity, and impact. Then you need to have a positive and supportive environment to cultivate a high-performing team (whether they be onsite, hybrid, or remote) including:

1. Clear goals â provide clear communication about the organizationâs plans and goals. Ensure the team understands how their work contributes towards those goals. Then give them the latitude to do their jobs leveraging their strengths and interests. Have periodic check-ins to see if they need anything.

2. Open communications â the team must have meaningful conversations and feel safe expressing their ideas, opinions, and concerns to the rest of the team. Communication needs to be respectful, constructive, and solutions focused.

3. Collaborative spirit â the team works together to achieve its goals. Each team member is unique and brings something different to the table, so leverage their distinctive strengths. In the end, the team will have more innovative discussions and develop well-thought-out solutions.

4. Continuous improvement â the team needs to have a curious mindset enabling them to identify and address inefficiencies. Having a culture of continuous improvement will lead to improved efficiencies and better outcomes.

How To Support The Team

Be intentional in your efforts to support the team by taking the time to understand their needs and preferences. How can you tell if the team dynamic needs to be improved? One way is to observe their performance. Is the team not embracing new initiatives, or is there higher-than-normal turnover? If you notice these types of symptoms, you may not be providing the support that the team needs to be successful.

Ask the team what type of support they need. Have you empowered the team to take ownership of their work and given them the autonomy to succeed? Nobody wants to be micromanaged! Or does the team need additional training or development opportunities to grow their skills? When you support employeesâ personal development, theyâre more likely to be and stay excited for whatâs next (and potentially stay longer with the organization).

You may want to periodically have some fun team-building activities, which can be done either in-person or virtually. Organize a virtual coffee break or a volunteering event at a local charity or non-profit. If you have added some new team members, make the extra effort to welcome them into the team. For example, go to an escape room, which requires the team to work together to solve puzzles and escape a room within a certain time frame. The key is to choose activities that are fun and engaging that promote positive communication and collaboration among the team members.

Appreciate The Team

And last but definitely not least, take the time to acknowledge and show your gratitude, and celebrate significant achievements that the team has accomplished. The key is to be sincere even simply saying thank you or handwriting a note (because to me handwritten = personal). This will make the team feel valued and appreciated.

You must be employee focused, and genuinely support and take care of your team! For more information on the importance of a high-performing team, follow me on LinkedIn!

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Importance Of Cultivating A High-Performing Team

Undoubtedly, most of us have gone through some kind of transition with our supervisors. Perhaps the person was recruited away to another company or maybe there was a merger and they got reassigned to another department. Whatever the reason, something important has been lost.

When your boss leaves, they take with them their knowledge of your contributions, skills, knowledge, and expertise. A new boss means a completely blank slate.

Your new job is to get to know your new boss ASAP. If you don't take the time to build rapport, it could have deadly consequences to your career. The reason? If they don't know your value, they could make decisions that don't factor you in as a valuable asset.

So, how do you connect with your new manager? It's easier than you think. It just requires you to be proactive.

Use these four tips to build a good working relationship with your new boss:

1. Speak Up In Meetings

If you are always in the background, now is the time to jump in. If you aren't seen as an active participant on the team, this could be a red flag to a boss who might be surveying the landscape for potential house cleaning later. Be a positive contributor.

2. Set Up A One-On-One Meeting

If your new boss has not done so already, set up a time to meet with them to provide an overview of your work and to allow them to get to know you better.

Building connections will also help you both assess your working styles to figure out how you will be able to communicate best. This can lay the groundwork for a great collaborative working relationship.

3. Provide Regular Updates

Woman shows a report to her new boss during a work meeting

You don't need to be a classic "brown-noser," but proactively providing updates on project status or other work you are conducting is one less question or request that the boss has to make.

If you reliably turn in work or reports on time and in an organized fashion, you'll be perceived as professional and as the department standard.

4. Empower, Educate, And Engage

Woman shakes her new manager's hand at work

New bosses don't necessarily want to admit that they are behind the learning curve in getting acclimated to a new company or division. They are struggling to get caught up with priorities, challenges, and opportunities, all while trying to get to know the team that will take them there.

Be willing to share in a helpful way to give the new boss the knowledge and tools to get them up to speed as soon as possible. You could gain a very powerful career advocate as a result.

If you build a reputation as a helpful, friendly resource who is competent in your work and an engaged member of the team, your new boss will see you as an important asset and include you in key projects and potential promotions.

Getting to know your new boss is easy with these helpful tips. When in doubt, try to connect! It makes for better workplace relationships for everyone.

Need more help with your career?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Tips For Connecting With A New …

If youâre applying for a customer-facing job, you need to be prepared to talk about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer. This interview question provides potential employers with valuable insight into the way you approach customer interactions. This guide will help you develop an answer that impresses your interviewer. The […]

The post Tell Me About A Time You Dealt With A Difficult Customer appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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Tell Me About A Time You Dealt …

Have you ever had the experience of sending out your resume everywhere and getting no results? No emails. No callbacks. No interviews. It sucks, doesn't it? I had that experience a few years back. And then a profound realization changed everything for me. I realized that...

You've got to make an irresistible offer.

And a boring, traditional resume just doesn't do that.

See, employers and recruiters are used to seeing the same thing over and over: a plain-Jane resume and cover letter. And they're dying to get something fresh. Something that makes an impact. Something that's irresistible.

We've all sent in boring resumes during our job search at one point or another. But now, it's time for an update. Here are three ways to change your job search strategy to practically guarantee you get the job:

1. Prove You'll Earn Them More Than You Cost

Here's the truth: You need to make your employer a profit.

Meaning hiring you comes at a cost. And likewise, the effort from the work you do brings in revenue.

So, what's the easiest way to practically guarantee you get the job you're applying for? Simply prove, based on past results, that you're going to bring in more revenue to the business than you cost them.

For example, one campaign I thought of and helped run at my past employer paid for my annual salary within a couple of weeks. That's solid, tangible, and quantifiable proof that I'm worth more than I cost.

So, if you haven't already, start thinking of measurable ways you bring in revenue for a companyâand then put those detailed examples on your resume. The numbers will speak for themselves.

2. Provide Credible Proof That You Can Perform

Hiring manager asks a job candidate about their past job performance in a job interview

Testimonials from credible peopleâwhether they're mentors, peers, employers, or teachersâare one of the best ways to show proof of past performance and character. And past performance combined with character (cultural fit) is a huge element employers look for in potential employees.

The good news is that LinkedIn has made gathering these testimonials easier than ever. So, if you don't have any yet, think of a few people that could provide great testimonials for you, and ask for them. They'll make a huge difference in your job search.

3. Work To Learn, Not To Earn

Young employees learning on the job during a work meeting

When you're first starting out and you don't have proof of generating results or credible testimonials, then the best way to get your foot in the door (if you're unable to successfully network your way into the company) is by working for free for a week, or even up to three months.

In fact, I got my dream jobâthe position I had my heart set onâby offering to work for free for three months. Now, of course, you don't want to do this for ANY employer. Only offer this if you're fairly certain that working for free will lead to a job, and that job will open up a world of opportunities within 2-3 years for you.

That's what it did for me, and that's what it could do for you.

BONUS: Stand Out Online!

Professional man builds his online presence during his job search

Your bonus tip is to stand out online. Why?

The first thing any employer is going to do when you apply is Google your name. And what if what they found blew them away so much so that they shortlisted you for the position immediately?

That's what can happen with a great online presence. And nowadays, that's easier than ever to achieve. You don't have to be tech savvy, you just need to know how to optimize your LinkedIn profile and make your personal brand known to colleagues, recruiters, and hiring managers.

We know the interview process can be stressful and draining. By doing these four things in your job search, you'll practically guarantee you get the job!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Ways To Practically Guarantee You Get …

Executives have many responsibilities as leaders, but ensuring their organizations remain competitive and relevant is one of the most important. Staying current with trends is the simplest way executives can accomplish this. But with incredibly busy schedules and long to-do lists, how can executives successfully keep up with trends and stay ahead of the curve?

We recently asked our busy executives how they stay current with trends.

Here are their responses...

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist

As a busy executive, it can be challenging to stay current with the latest trends and developments in your industry. However, it's essential to remain up to date to ensure that your organization stays competitive and relevant. Here are five key strategies to help you stay current with trends as a busy executive:

Prioritize learning: Make learning a priority and carve out time in your schedule to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your industry.
Build a network: Build a network of peers and experts in your industry to stay informed about the latest trends and developments. Attend conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with others and gain insights into emerging trends.
Utilize technology: Utilize technology to stay current with trends. Subscribe to industry newsletters, set up Google alerts for relevant keywords, and follow industry influencers on social media.
Delegate responsibility: Delegate responsibility to other members of your team who can help you stay current with trends. Assign someone to monitor industry news and report back to you regularly.
Read widely: Read widely to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your industry. Set aside time to read industry publications, blogs, and books regularly.

In summary, staying current with trends as a busy executive requires prioritizing learning, building a network, utilizing technology, delegating responsibility, and reading widely. By implementing these strategies, executives can stay informed and ensure that their organization remains competitive and relevant in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

In the world of sports, as the NFL continues to rise in popularity, challenges and adversity also come. The NFL must find ways to predict the future to get ahead of these challenges and remain a leader in the industry.

4 Trends That Remain a Constant in the NFLâs Planning:

1. Millennials â The sports world faces an uphill battle of finding ways to entice millennials to attend games. The rise of technology has made it easier to consume games in the comfort of their homes. Many major sports leagues have made it easier to consume the games on their mobile devices or networks, like NFL Network.

2. Technology Integration â The pace of technology keeps changing. Fans want to connect to the games on their social media accounts, like Facebook and Twitter feeds. If teams are not proactive with social media and cannot entice fans with modern technology, fans will not follow them or go to the games.

3. Gameday Experiences â The NFL wants to give the fans an experience that can only be achieved at the stadium. This includes pregame tailgating and shows, halftime entertainment, and post-game celebrations.

4. Predicting the Future â The world is constantly changing. The sports industry faces the challenge of predicting the next trend, the next big idea that will capture its audience. While the future is nearly impossible to predict, it will be worthwhile for sports leagues to continue to study trends.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Busy executive writes down current trends to stay up to date

As a busy global marketing executive, staying current with trends is crucial to keep up with the ever-changing business landscape. While staying on top of the latest developments can be challenging, itâs essential to remain relevant and competitive in todayâs fast-paced business world. Here are five things I do weekly as a brand marketing executive to stay current with trends:

1. Leverage Technology: In todayâs digital age, technology can be your best ally in staying up to date with trends. With many online tools and resources, you can easily keep track of the latest developments in your industry. I use ChatGPT, Canva, Grammarly, and SaveTik daily. You can follow thought leaders or industry experts on social media, subscribe to podcasts or newsletters, sign up for Google alerts for keywords related to your industry, attend webinars, or take online courses that focus on specific industries and trends.

2. Collaborate with Peers: Collaborating with peers can be an excellent way to stay current with trends. Consider joining industry-specific associations or forming a peer group with other executives in your field. By sharing ideas and insights, you can learn from each other and stay up to date on the latest trends.

3. Read: Industry-specific publications are a valuable source of information and insights. Subscribe to publications that cover your industry, and make it a habit to read them regularly. You can also follow relevant blogs and thought leaders in your industry to stay informed about the latest trends. I joined a marketing book club to stay current on the latest brand marketing trends.

4. Attend Conferences and Networking Events: Conferences and networking events provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest trends and connect with like-minded professionals. As a busy executive, it may be challenging to attend every event, but try to prioritize the most relevant to your industry.

5. Continuous Learning: It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you donât have enough time to learn new things. However, committing to learn new things continuously can help you stay current with trends in your industry. This can involve taking online courses, attending webinars, or even reading books related to your field. Iâm learning how ChatGPT can assist me as a brand marketer while reading a few brand marketing books to improve my skills.

Staying current with trends is essential for any executive looking to remain relevant and competitive in todayâs fast-paced business world.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

How do you stay current with trends as a busy executive? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: How To Stay Current With …

It shouldnât come as a surprise that interview questions about adaptability are incredibly common. Being able to adjust when things change at work is a strikingly valuable skill! This list of common adaptability interview questions will help you prepare for the big day. Table of contents Why Interviewers Ask Questions About Adaptability Interview Questions About […]

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13 Common Adaptability Interview Questions (With Answers)

Finding a job can be an uphill battle for individuals with disabilities. Luckily, numerous suitable options do exist that cater to their unique skills and talents. As you dive into this post, prepare to explore rewarding career paths designed to empower all, regardless of ability level. Why Living with a Disability Makes It Hard To […]

The post 5 Jobs Perfectly Suited For Individuals With Disabilities appeared first on Jobacle.com.

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