Identify root cause of job-search woes
Dear Sam: I am hoping you can give me some advice on how to handle termination from a position. I was required to have carpal-tunnel surgery on both hands and did not qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). I was only granted four weeks of leave and was told my employer would request an extension of time off. The day before my second surgery, my employer called to inform me that if I did not come back to work the next day, I would be terminated. Because I had to have surgery and was unable to return to work, that is what happened.
I have been applying for positions and have explained the situation to prospective employers, but I am beginning to wonder if I am not even being considered as a result of the fact that I had to have surgery. — Anonymous
Dear Anonymous: After reading your termination letter, I see nothing in it that would lead a prospective employer to think your release was a result of anything but the company ensuring that it was procedurally compliant. The letter even states that you are able to reapply for employment, reinforcing the fact that you were simply a victim of an unfortunate policy or rule.
I do not believe that you will be discriminated against by other employers because of having carpal-tunnel surgery. I am assuming you are fully recovered, as you are seeking employment.
However, you should look at “beefing up” your resume — as it is very lackluster at the present time.
Take a good look at the content on your resume. Regardless of the roles you have held, you still need to think of ways you differentiated yourself from your peers. If you do not do this — through your presentation and by focusing on ways you did a great job — you will not give yourself the chance to outshine your competitors in a saturated job market.
Once you look at revamping your resume, I have a feeling the surgery and departure from your last employer will be nonissues.
— Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Ladybug Design, a full-service resumewriting firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@arkansasonline.
com. To find out more about Nolan, visit www.ladybug-design.com.