The Career Doctor Blog
Empowering job-seekers to conquer college, career, and job-search ailments.
|
12-Year-Old Is Considering Career as Eye Doctor
Ashley writes: Although I’m only 12, I still am trying to find my career early. That’s what my careers teacher said. I really think that I might want to be an eye doctor, though I don’t know why. And I don’t know how my parents would react to that. I don’t know much about what an eye doctor does. I tried searching on the internet but instead I came across you so I figured I’d email you. Can you help me find out more about this career and how I should react... |
|
She Succeeds with Two-Column Cover Letter and Wonders about Follow-up
Anna writes: I just wanted to say a big thank you for creating such a brilliant website. I don’t know what I would do without it — it’s my source. I’ve been sending out cover letters which (at the time) I thought were very good, but I then came across a job ad where they said they are expecting high volumes of responses. It was a job where I didn’t have the exact experience they required so I thought I would change tactics and try out your 2-column dynamic... |
|
For Resume, Consider Leaving Off Short-Duration Job from Which You Were Fired
Bonnie writes: I just read Getting Fired: An Opportunity for Change and Growth. You say that If you are fired in a job within 3 months you should not list that on your resume. Can you tell me why I should not list that employer? The Career Doctor responds: A resume is a critical marketing document that you construct to convince a prospective employer to invite you for an interview and then, ideally, offer you a job. It is not meant to be an all-inclusive document of your entire life,... |
|
Keep Following Up with Unresponsive Employer?
David writes: I interviewed at a very hot high-tech startup company about a month ago. They expressed interest in me, but told me that they move slowly on hiring and that I will need to be patient. I followed up with the VP who interviewed me, and she told me to reschedule a meeting with her a few weeks out. When I sent her an email regarding that meeting, she apologized and said that she was extremely busy, but that she had asked someone else on her staff would “reach out”... |
|
Cold-Calling Job-Search Campaign Pros and Cons
Pamela writes: I have been actively looking for employment in the legal field for over 3 months. I have 6 years of experience, but have moved to smalltown, USA, and there aren’t many job postings. Is it acceptable to send a “blind resume” to all the attorneys in the area via email, even though they aren’t advertising employment opportunities? What should I say in the first paragraph? The Career Doctor responds: I am so glad you sent me this question because... |
|
Helping Daughter Who Is "Lost" Regarding Career and Major Choices
Kathy writes: I just read your article, Choosing a College Major: How to Chart Your Ideal Path. I plan to have my daughter read the links you suggested. My daughter is making decisions about AP coursework and is a little lost about what she wants to do. The school she attends just gave them some sort of aptitude test. She scored highly in the working with people and the arts areas. This is a fine way to start thinking about what she wants to do, but she is lost when it comes to finding... |
|
Proactively Addressing Bad Credit-Report Issue
Debi writes: With so many companies doing background checks, how do I handle a having bad credit report? I was out of work for a little over a year and my credit is shot. I’m still working on repairing the damage. How can I proactively address the credit issue? Should I include an explanatory paragraph in my cover letter — or bring it up when I get an interview? I feel it’s a double-edged issue. If I bring it up, I could be negating their interest from the get go but... |
|
How Damaging is Typo in Thank-You Letter?
Laney writes: My husband recently interviewed with a company and followed up with a thank-you email. In the email he spelled The Greenley Group as The Greeney Group and left out the letter (l), and he’s sweating bullets. I’m inquiring as to what to do with it? He used other words describing his interview experience and how he was excited about the job, etc. How big of a mistake is it that he left the (l) out? The Career Doctor responds: Typos and misspellings are often... |
|
Enclose Resume with Letter Requesting Informational Interview?
LaVerne writes: I am preparing to send a letter requesting an informational interview. However, I was wondering if it would be appropriate for me to enclose my resume with the letter? Would you be kind enough to let me know what is proper professional etiquette? The Career Doctor responds: Informational interviews are the ultimate networking technique, so I applaud your efforts to not only conduct one, but to do so properly and professionally. Informational interviews are meetings... |
|
She's Worried about Weight Discrimination
Barbara writes: I am a very experienced and highly qualified executive secretary with more than 20 years of experience. I am actively seeking a new job. I am very nervous as I am 50 pounds overweight. I feel I have everything going for me. I am dedicated, knowledgeable and very likable. I have excellent credentials and references. Do you feel the weight will stop them from hiring me? I am presently using your website to prepare for the questions. The Career Doctor responds: I have... |
|
List Short-Duration Job on Resume?
Aldon writes: I read your website with great interest and was thinking you could help me in my situation. I’ve resigned my job of 2.5 years looking for a better opportunities and prospects. I found a new job about 2 months ago. However, I feel that the way the management manages the company is very unprofessional, and I was never paid for my very first month. (Basically, this company has cash-flow problem, so I can forget about my bonus!) I have decided to resign during my probation... |
|
He's Not Having Any Success with Resume
Mauro writes: I read an article of yours — Resume Critique Worksheet for Job-Seekers — and found it very interesting. I have been applying for quite a few jobs recently and have not had much luck getting interviews, and I think this has a lot to do with my resume. I know it can be improved a lot and was wondering if you could provide me with some critique given your knowledge and experience. I sincerely appreciate any help you can provide. The Career Doctor responds:... |
|
What's a Qualifications Summary and Why Is It Important? (and How Do You Write It?)
Marcey writes: I’ve heard that writing a summary of qualifications or summary of skills section on the resume is important, but I can find almost no in-depth, informative information on why this is so or how to do it. The sources I have been able to find seem to have contradictory information — bullets vs. paragraph, etc. Can you provide some information and some clarification? The Career Doctor responds: First, remember that there are very few agreed upon rules of resume... |
|
Handling a Termination/Demotion Situation in Resume
Anonymous writes: Here’s my situation: New CFO wanted to make changes and was also unhappy that I had retained a poor-performing employee. The CFO told me I could leave or move to a smaller role in the company. I have been in that role for 2 years and would like to leave for another company in a management role similar to the role that I had initially. How should I address the termination/demotion in a resume and during interviews? Also, my compensation was reduced when I was moved... |
|
High-School Student Seeks Part-Time Job
Katie writes: I am currently a high-school student who desperately wants a part-time job for after school and weekends. My mom says it’s okay, as long as I keep my grades up. I want to impress people when I apply for jobs, so even though I don’t think I need one, I want to develop a resume. Can you give me some pointers? The Career Doctor responds: I think it’s great that you are seeking a part-time job, and I’m glad your mom gave you permission to do so. There... |
|
Using Resume to Position Yourself for Career Transition
Katina writes: I was just wondering: How can I integrate transitioning to a new career onto my resume? I am currently in customer relations, but am trying to into human resources. However, a lot of employers do not want to bother if you only have education and no previous experience. How can I present myself to get my foot in the door because if I get the opportunity I know I can become an asset for a company? I appreciate any information or suggestions you can provide. The Career... |
|
New Grad Just Wants to Be a Waitress or Store Clerk
Anonymous writes: How do get a job in waitressing or retail without work experience in those? I have degrees but no work experience. No one told me I needed to do part-time jobs like this before graduating from college. They just said get a degree and go to grad school, even counselors said this. Is it too late to do this? Should I give up? I would like a job as a hostess/waitress or clerk or something now. The Career Doctor responds: Wow. There are two major flaws in your job-search... |
|
New Grad Just Wants to Be a Waitress or Store Clerk
Anonymous writes: How do get a job in waitressing or retail without work experience in those? I have degrees but no work experience. No one told me I needed to do part-time jobs like this before graduating from college. They just said get a degree and go to grad school, even counselors said this. Is it too late to do this? Should I give up? I would like a job as a hostess/waitress or clerk or something now. The Career Doctor responds: Wow. There are two major flaws in your job-search... |
|
Applying for Jobs When You Have Negligible Work History
Robert writes: How, if possible, can I with a nonexistent (besides work done without pay) work history, but some college, along with some time spent not working, successfully complete an employment application? Any suggestions? Be mindful that I have no criminal background. Thank you for your time. The Career Doctor responds: I am on a big marketing kick right now because a job-seeker has to have some basic marketing skills in order to best showcase his/her abilities. Let me stress... |
|
Following Up With Employer That Provides No Contact Information
Debby writes: How do you contact a company that does all its job posting online? Resumes have been sent in, no response received, but there is no way to contact anyone. I know you say to contact the companies, but can you tell me how to contact a company that does everything online? The Career Doctor responds: Yours is a common question among those job-seekers who rely heavily on the Internet for job-hunting, and it’s a good question, but before I answer it, let me talk about... |