The Career Doctor Blog
Empowering job-seekers to conquer college, career, and job-search ailments.
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Does She REALLY Want to Be a Classroom Teacher?
Arlene writes: I have been a speech and language specialist for over 15 years. It was not my chosen field, but I felt I would always be able to obtain employment because it is so specialized, which has certainly been the case. I also have an elementary teaching certificate and two English-as-a-Second-Language teaching certificates. I took a leave of absence from work in 1988 for personal reasons and began to study acting, my true first love. I took part-time jobs while my husband was terminally... |
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Leveraging Skills and Diminishing Shortcomings
Arlene writes: I’ve read and enjoyed the information you provide on job-hunting for students; but I have what may be a unique set of circumstances for which I would greatly appreciate your advice. I am married, fit, and 50; I have been a stay-at-home mom of one; I am educated and currently a non-degree-seeking student of Web design. I have an MBA in electronic business, B.S. in communications. My GPA is 3.9. Here’s the good part — my recent job history as a small-business... |
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Include Irrelevant Jobs on Resume?
Kevin writes: I am a career HR manager (generalist, benefits, etc.) recently laid off by The Home Depot. I spent many years at the local telephone company and left after 23 years (in 2006). After working at my hobby for a year, I worked to get back into HR in 2007. I worked at a courier company from August of 2008 until the offer from The Home Depot in December of 2008. While at the courier company, I was a driver and finally its HR manager. During this time I left the courier company twice,... |
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Musician Wants to Get Into HR But Lacks College Degree
Suzanne writes: I really need your advice. Because of various factors, I’ve come to a career crossroads and need some advice as to what I should do next, how I should sell myself, etc. I’ve been a musician most of my life, so I didn’t follow a traditional career path. I have held various retail management positions and over the past 10 years, I have had my own residential cleaning service. The business was successful until two years ago when we moved from Atlanta to a more... |
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Should Communications Major Minor in Business?
Nicole writes: Hi, I am writing to ask you for your advice if a business minor is good to have along with a speech communications major. I am interested in the public relations/advertising field. I am not big into politics and government, so I am staying away from that area. However, I have only taken one econ class which was in high school. Do you think that a business minor would be to my advantage or an English or journalism minor? I enjoy writing as well. I would really appreciate... |
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How to Go about Expanding One's Network
Ashley writes: I have read a lot about the potential of networking for people who are looking for a new job. One of my goals for this year is to expand my network because I want to consider finding a new job later in the year, but I really have no idea how to do it. I mean, I think I understand the concept of networking, but I just don’t know who to do it with, or how to find them. Can you help? The Career Doctor responds: Don’t be too hard on yourself. I think networking... |
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Ensuring Success at a Job Fair
Tony writes: I will be attending a job fair to seek employment opportunities in human resources. I have a few questions regarding this job fair to ensure I am as successful as possible. First, I sent an e-mail to the point of contact for the job fair and asked for an advanced list of the employers who will be in attendance. My purpose was to do some research on each employer so I could be more knowledgeable when I spoke to their representative. However, I was told at the request of their... |
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What Credentials Are Required to Call Yourself "Professor?"
Robert writes: I know somebody who is posing as a professor at a university. At least I think he is. All he has is a B.S. degree in English, but he is lecturing at a class, and the local news covered it. He portrayed himself as a “professor” but I have serious doubts since he posts no education to indicate any doctorates or other teaching credentials to prove it. What are the correct or minimal credentials needed for someone to call themselves a “professor”? I... |
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How Can She Return to Previous Employer?
Nanci writes: What is the best way to go about re-applying for a job at a company I left four years ago? I left on very good terms and always got good reviews. Downside is the company put a lot of money into my relocation package, and I am afraid that they will be worried I will leave again. I thought the grass was greener, but I realize now what a great company they were and I want back in. Any suggestions? Thanks! I wanna go back! The Career Doctor responds: In the past, I would... |
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Yes, Employers Often Prefer to Promote from Within
Mary writes: How do most employers feel about promotion from within with on-the-job experience, and/or/combination of experience with educational degrees? Thanks for any advice you can provide. The Career Doctor responds: Many employers would much rather promote from within because the people they are considering for the new position are known to management. When companies recruit new employees from outside the company they always risk hiring someone who does well in the job interview... |
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Yes, Employers Often Prefer to Promote from Within
Mary writes: How do most employers feel about promotion from within with on-the-job experience, and/or/combination of experience with educational degrees? Thanks for any advice you can provide. The Career Doctor responds: Many employers would much rather promote from within because the people they are considering for the new position are known to management. When companies recruit new employees from outside the company they always risk hiring someone who does well in the job interview... |
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Promoted without an Accompanying Pay Raise
Angela writes: I recently read your article on Getting the Raise you Deserve. I thought I would ask your opinion on the situation I am in. I was recently hired at a rather large dry-cleaning company. This company has bought several small chains, and is in the process of merging them all under one name, and starting a re-branding. I was hired on as an administrative assistant for $10 an hour while I am working on my marketing degree. Just recently the company’s marketing director... |
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Re-Applying at Employer from which She Was Fired
Mai writes: About 3 years ago, I was fired from a major retail chain for being an accomplice to theft. Recently I re-applied to this company, and they have invited me for an interview. Since they will find out that I am former employee and that I was fired, could I possibly write them a statement explaining the circumstances as to why I was fired and that I would like a second chance to prove that I’ve changed? The Career Doctor responds: First, I think your situation shows that... |
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What To Do About Age-Revealing Transcript
Carole writes: I have read where it is illegal to ask the year you graduated from high school or college. How do I get around the request for an “official copy” of my recent transcript from said college for my master’s that refuses to remove the date of graduation from my bachelor of science degree (1973)? Said college told me that would be tampering with the transcript!! The Career Doctor responds: Asking your age is illegal. Asking when you graduated from high school... |
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Single Mom Seeks College and Career
Barbara writes: I am a single mother of three in my late 20s. I have very few job skills and no formal education. I am eager to attend college and begin a career so that I may support myself and my children. My dilemma is that I have never wanted to be anything other than a wife and mother. I have hobbies, likes, and dislikes just like everyone, but how do I turn them in to a career? I desperately want to go back to school because I know that without an education I will not be able to... |
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Getting Yourself Known at Non-Hiring Company
Sarah writes: I have always wanted to work for a certain company, but they are currently not hiring. How do I get my name to their HR person so they may consider me for a position later? The Career Doctor responds: First, let me say that in some ways, job-hunting is easier when you have a specific geographic location or a specific set of companies in mind. While your options are limited by the number of employers, it also allows you to have a more focused job search — giving you... |
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How Soon -- and Where -- to Look for Internships
Allison writes: My professors keep telling me I need to get at least one internship before I graduate, and I am thinking of trying to get one for next summer. I was planning on waiting to look for internships until spring break, but one of my friends told me that I should start looking like sooner. Also, what are the best sources for internships? The Career Doctor responds: All college students should complete at least one internship, and ideally, several, while you attend school.... |
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How Storytelling Relates to the Job Search
Pat writes: I heard you and your wife speak the other day, and while I wanted to stay around and ask this question, I just didn’t have the time to do so. Can you explain again the importance or relevance of storytelling as it relates to me as a job-seeker? The Career Doctor responds: Thanks for attending one of our workshops! Hope you received some useful and practical information that will empower you to the next step in your career. I should probably let Katharine answer this... |
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Switching from Lucrative Finance Career to Teaching
Anonymous writes: I’ve been working in the finance industry for the past 8 years and at 29 years old, I make a great income. I’m at a crossroad where I don’t love what I do but I’m doing great at my job and am on a very successful path, if I want it. What I think I’d really love to be doing is teaching at the elementary-school level. The only thing about teaching is the pay is low. I can make in 1 year at my job what would take 7 years in teaching. Am I being... |
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How New Grads Can Develop Personal Brand
Taylor writes: I graduated college last May and have a good job. I’m pretty happy at the moment, but because I sort of lucked into this job, I feel very unsure of job-hunting. Someone told me about your Website, and it’s been a great help to me. So, my question is… How can someone fresh out of college develop his brand? I’ve read some of the materials you have on branding on your Website, but some of the advice seems more for people more advanced in their careers... |