This week, I've reached out to local job coach Mark Burch to get answers to two interesting reader questions. One has to do with searching for work when you're currently employed. The second addresses a resume gap due to illness.

In that second case, the reader left her previous position to seek cancer treatment and is now ready to get back into the workforce. However, during her time away, her company closed due to the economic downturn. As she begins to search, she wanted to know the best way to address that gap in her resume.

"You don't have to give too many details, because you have legal protections regarding that," Burch said. "If you have a long gap in your resume, one option is to rearrange it to be a functional resume where you focus more on your skill sets and experience rather than dates of employment."

Burch said it's also OK to explain your time off as a family illness. "Say there is a gap because my family had to deal with some health issues. All of that is taken care of now, so here is what I bring to the table," he advised.

In summation, go confidently forward with your search. Sell your skills and specifics about what you have to offer the company. And Burch thinks companies are more willing to overlook gaps in employment given the past few years of economic turmoil.

The other question pertained to searching for that new opportunity while still at your current job. The reader specifically wanted suggestions on how to network and put out feelers without his current boss finding out.

"Folks are always in transition. It is not always going to be a surprise that you're looking," Burch said.

But if it is a surprise and you think it would hurt your career, then reach out first to contacts you trust. Let them know you're starting to quietly look for other opportunities.

In addition, Burch said to identify as many as 25 companies where you'd like to work. Search networks such as LinkedIn for someone who already works at the particular business. Send them a message and explain your situation.

If you can come up with some contacts at each company, identify those who may be hiring for the position you'd like to land.

"Send an initial contact letter and say that you've been researching the company and would like to work there. In this first inquiry, you don't have to mention specifically that you're looking for a job," Burch said.

He'd then send a second letter a week or so later and in that one get a little more bold and ask for a time to talk. Offer your resume in that letter and again specifics on what you can bring to the organization. This is a somewhat bold approach, and you may get nothing from it. But just think about the possibilities if you do land a face-to-face interview.

Good luck to both of these readers and to you, too. And please, keep your questions and comments coming to me at bsisk@wcnc.com.