Guest guest Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Dear Work Help, I myself have actually lost several jobs due to my own poor health as well as my son's health. As far as advice from someone who's been there: I would not address anything in a cover letter other than selling yourself and your abilities. If they ask about the lapse in time, I would simply say you needed some personal time. They are not allowed to demand why you needed personal time, and you do not have to disclose that you were sick. Also, don't look at a career change in a negative light. Perception of a situation can solidify the outcome. Determine for yourself that the sky's the limit. You can do anything you decide is within the boundaries you have set for your lifestyle. If you look at a job that seems to have too many hours and too much demand, don't tell yourself, " Well, I can't do that. " Tell yourself, " I choose not to do that to myself. I know that it will affect my health and my happiness. I will choose to do something that will be within my boundaries " . I have found that I started to suffer alot with anxiety and depression about our finances as I have become sicker and sicker. My husband and I started out our marriage in bankruptcy and I really don't want to go back there. I know that if I lose my job that we will. I am in the midst of seeking something that I can do from home or part time that is within our requirements for my income. In the meantime I have come to realize that my " self talk " was destroying my happiness. I read a quote that I liked and taped it to my refridgerator, it said, " Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful " . Very true, especially for us Lymies' whose lives have changed forever. I got Lyme when I was 15. When i got married, I had a picture in my mind of who I was, and who I was becoming. Needless to say that picture has changed somewhat. But to keep from being completely overwhelmed and devastated because things are different than I thought they'd be, I have to keep an open mind about my future and not limit God and His blessings. Every time I pray, I pray for His will to be done. God Bless you as you search for your new career path. Sincerely, S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 One thing I decided to do awhile ago was replace " Medical Leave " on my resume with " Sabbatical. " Employers get concerned about how someone with an illness will affect their insurance premiums, etc. If they ask you what you did on your sabbatical, tell them you didn't travel, just took a break from work. Many people do that. You did take a " sabbatical " to heal and you did take a break from work. Sometimes we have to do things like that so we can get a job again. I'm in your position as far as not being able to work full-time if any job is demanding. I was a technical writer and editor for a long time, so I'm working on starting my own editing and writing business. I'm also looking for local jobs (non-commuting). Money is an issue, but my husband and I are working it out for now. My doctor actually created a position for one of her Lyme patients! They needed a little bit of part-time office help and the woman could do that for them. It worked well for all involved. (I keep praying they'll do the same for me-or some Lyme literate doctor will do that.) I know that something good will happen, so keep the faith. We all have to do that. Good luck! Janet Santa Cruz, CA ************************************************* I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own Being. - Hafiz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 On Dec 16, 2008, at 10:45 AM, Janet Ring wrote: > One thing I decided to do awhile ago was replace " Medical Leave " on my > resume with " Sabbatical. " Employers get concerned about how someone > with an > illness will affect their insurance premiums, etc. If they ask you > what you > did on your sabbatical, tell them you didn't travel, just took a > break from > work. Many people do that. You did take a " sabbatical " to heal and > you did > take a break from work. Sometimes we have to do things like that so > we can > get a job again. Yes yes yes. Also: in your case, you can honestly claim that you took the time off to explore and prepare for this career change. That makes you look like you've thought this through, and are committed to the shift -- a very good thing. People often use sabbaticals for this purpose, so it will sound like you were making good use of the time. Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Thanks everyone on your input on all my posts re: MRI, etc. And Sara, good advice on the sabbatical; I will have to remember that when it comes time for me to go back to work. Happy Holidays everyone! Here's to a healthier 2009 for us all! robin > > > One thing I decided to do awhile ago was replace " Medical Leave " on my > > resume with " Sabbatical. " Employers get concerned about how someone > > with an > > illness will affect their insurance premiums, etc. If they ask you > > what you > > did on your sabbatical, tell them you didn't travel, just took a > > break from > > work. Many people do that. You did take a " sabbatical " to heal and > > you did > > take a break from work. Sometimes we have to do things like that so > > we can > > get a job again. > > Yes yes yes. Also: in your case, you can honestly claim that you took > the time off to explore and prepare for this career change. That makes > you look like you've thought this through, and are committed to the > shift -- a very good thing. > > People often use sabbaticals for this purpose, so it will sound like > you were making good use of the time. > > Sara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 Thank you to everyone for your input! I'm sure it will be invaluable in the searching process. It's interesting to see the overwhelming input of " don't ask, don't tell " . Now I don't have to learn that on my own. Thanks again! > > Thanks everyone on your input on all my posts re: MRI, etc. And > Sara, good advice on the sabbatical; I will have to remember that when > it comes time for me to go back to work. > > Happy Holidays everyone! Here's to a healthier 2009 for us all! robin > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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