The Career Doctor Blog
Empowering job-seekers to conquer college, career, and job-search ailments.
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She'd Really Like a Job-Interview Do-Over
Shayla writes: Today I had my first “big” interview since my graduation. I guess I wasn’t entirely prepared though. I was asked about my college experience, and I don’t feel like I really went into enough detail. I know if I was given the opportunity to have a second interview, I would be able to talk about how successful I was in college. I had a 3.8 GPA, and I organized and participated in many events. I also participated in the virtual stock market and was respected... |
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Does Candidate Have to Reveal Current Salary?
Charlie writes: I have a questions regarding salary history that I hope you can answer. When negotiating salary for a new job, is the candidate required to reveal what his salary is at his current position to the potential new employer? The Career Doctor responds: The alarming number of stories I’ve heard about recruiters getting more aggressive about salary negotiation disappoint me. Are you required to disclose your current salary? Of course not. If you don’t, are... |
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How Can He Add Value to His Candidacy During Decision-making Process?
Thomas writes: I came across your excellent website (Quintessential Careers) and found it very informative. I would like to ask your advice on a recent situation regarding an internal position for which I have applied. I submitted my application and had what I thought was in general a successful interview. After the interview I followed up with an email outlining my interest, thanked the panel for the opportunity and restated how I believe I would be the best candidate for the role. I... |
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Send Employer a Thank-You Letter Even If You Got Interview through Recruiter
Kelly writes: I’ve been using an executive recruiter to find a new job, and it has worked well. I just came back from an interview for a job that is perfect for me, and with a company I want to work for. I immediately called my recruiter and told him how I felt. Should I still write a thank-you letter to the employer? I don’t want to upset my recruiter by going around him. What do you think I should do? The Career Doctor responds: I’m glad you wrote me this question... |
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What's the Best College Preparation for Aspiring Entrepreneur?
Nathan writes: I was hoping you could help me in my college search. I know I want to be an entrepreneur. I don’t want to hold a typical job working for someone else. As a junior in high school, I have a good amount of experience in the business world. My academic marks are on par with the top universities in the country. Do you know of any colleges that offer programs for people who want to operate their own business empire? A small business just will not do. I appreciate any help... |
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Resume Is Not Resulting in Interviews
Pat writes: I desperately need help with my resume. I am not getting interviews. I have tried working with two different resume professionals, and they just don’t seem to get the type of resume I need. They just send me lots of bulleted statistics instead of polished prose. Please help. The Career Doctor responds: Here’s a simple test you can do at home. Answer this question: are you a resume expert? If yes, then you don’t need to hire a resume expert to write your... |
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Will Dropping One Advanced-Placement Course Hurt Her College-Admissions Chances?
Indrani writes: I read an article of yours at quintcareers.com. I had a question about college admission. I just switched out of AP U.S. history and was wondering if that was indeed the right choice. I know that I could have handled the course. Yet, I do not think I could have handled the course in addition to studying for the SAT. My other courses include: Honors English, Honors Spanish, Honors Physics, Honors PreCalculus, and AP Chemistry. Now I am in Academic U.S. history. Will top colleges... |
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Questions about Getting a Raise
Lindsey writes: I have a bunch of questions related to getting a raise. Is there a time of year that is better for employees to approach their supervisors about a pay raise? If so, will it benefit employees a great deal to wait until such time? How should I be prepared for the meeting? What are some common mistakes workers make when asking for a raise? The Career Doctor responds: The best time to ask for a raise is at your annual review, but you can certainly ask for a meeting... |
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He Does Well in Accounting But Isn't Happy in the Field
Pete writes: I have been reading your past blog entries and would like to seek your advice. I have a post-secondary education in business, with a major in accounting and am also a credentialed accountant (i.e., CPA). After six years working in this field, I have done well in all the positions I have held and always have high praise from my managers/co-workers, but I find myself unhappy as most of the work does not interest me (i.e., either too easy for me or too stressful). Do you think... |
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Career Changer Lacks Experience in New Field
Emily writes: I am starting a new career and have not been successful in landing a job. I am interested in working for a bank, but have limited experience. About 99 percent of the jobs advertised requires one to be experienced. How do I get in at entry level with no qualifications? I am a quick learner and a team player. I am 50 years old but look about 40. In today’s working world, 40 is old, so I have an extra dilemma. The Career Doctor responds: I don’t think 40 —... |
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How to Pursue Two Disparate Jobs at Same Company
Anonymous writes: I have just completed my bachelor of business administration with majors in management and finance. I’m interested in positions in human resources (primarily), but there are also positions in finance that interest me. I’ve created different versions of my resume that target the two career fields, each highlighting relevant experience and accomplishments, and I’m tailoring my cover letter to particular positions as well. But now I’ve found two distinct... |
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Legal Action After False Accusation and Question About Credit Checks
Catherine writes: I enjoy your blog. I don’t think I have ever seen either of my questions (or problem) in your blog postings. Both deal with background checks. Recently I was terminated from a position I had held for only a month. They claimed to have received information from a law-enforcement agency showing that I had committed a crime. After checking with the agency mentioned, I learned they had no such information. I suspect that a former employer or someone in his office... |
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Recruiter at Job Fair Criticizes Her Resume
Maria writes: I had been job-hunting without much success when a recruiter at a job fair told me he thought my resume was really bad. I was shocked! I thought I had a pretty darn good resume. What do I need to write and improve my resume? The Career Doctor responds: You didn’t attach your resume, so I don’t know for sure what the specific problem is with your resume, but I have seen enough bad resumes to know some of the most common problems. And for a recruiter to tell... |
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Send Individual Thank-Yous After a Panel Interview
Becca writes: I interviewed with a panel of 7 people for entrance into a radiology program. I have the name of the director of the program but not the other names of those in the panel. The panel interviewed me all at the same time. Is it acceptable to send one letter and address it as Dear Mr. Ray and interview panel? I’m afraid it is not feasible to get the names of the panel since they are students within the program. I interviewed on Monday and would like to send the letter today.... |
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How to Handle a Situational Job Interview
Amy writes: I have been on a lot of job interviews, but I am stumped because I have been told to expect an upcoming interview to be something I think called a situational interview. Is this a new kind of interview? What is involved, and how should I prepare for it? The Career Doctor responds: In situational interviewing, job-seekers are asked to respond to a specific situation they may face on the job, and some aspects of it are similar to behavioral interviews. These types of questions... |
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Unusual, Diverse Background Results in Three-Year Job Search
Carole writes: I cannot find an answer in your information on the Career Doctor site. I have been job searching actively, for three years and cannot find a job because I have an unusual, diverse background that doesn’t fit into a slot. I cover all facets of job searching. When networking I am usually told no jobs, but set a meeting anyway. I have had some interviews from answering ads and basically try to show I am specialized, or tailor myself to the ad. I am usually overqualified,... |
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How to Leave Job Gracefully
Anonymous writes: I really need some advice… I tried to give 2 weeks notice at work today, and the boss got angry and then came to me with a list of all the things that he was going to do to make my job easier… Was I talking to a wall?? I’m 51 years old, my husband has MS and can’t work. I qualified for college waivers and loans and I now have a chance to finally pull us out of the very LOW income bracket. I will make more money going to school 4 hours a day, five... |
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What Kind of Degree is Best for Applying to Med School?
Kats writes: Please help me…I’m dazed on how to get into medical school. You see, I really want to become a doctor, but unfortunately my parents do not have the means to send me to med school. Instead, I took up a science-related courses hoping that I can somehow catch up with the pre-med students. But I’m not happy with my current courses. I have heard some pre-med students in our school are dissuading other hopeful medical students to enter med school. Does a bachelor... |
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Explaining Reason for Firing in an Interview
Judy writes: I’m in workforce development, and am working with someone who was fired from a bank for cashing a fraudulent cashier’s check; she claims that it was not her fault. I’m tending to believe her based on the whole story. How can she handle this in an interview when asked why she was fired from the bank? The Career Doctor responds: Everybody makes mistakes. And assuming it was an innocent mistake, I think she should be able to find her way back to employment…... |
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How to Get to Know Professors at Big School with Large Classes?
Susan writes: I’m an entering first-year college student, and I just read your article on first-year success in college. I was wondering — I am going to a large public university where a large majority of my classes will have more than 100 students. How exactly do I get to know my professor? Do I just go in and introduce myself? The Career Doctor responds: I guess the not-so-helpful answer is that you should have chosen a school with smaller class sizes but I know that’s... |