The Career Doctor Blog
Empowering job-seekers to conquer college, career, and job-search ailments.
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Breaking Back into Job Market After Divorce
Gwen writes: For the past 11 years, I have been married and worked on writing novels and children’s books (which have not been published yet). I have a Ph.D. in education administration and prior to this had a business of my own. I am in the process of getting a divorce and am trying to get myself retrained to reenter the job market. What I would like to do is to go into the nonprofit industry. I have enrolled in two fundraising courses to get a certificate in fundraising and also... |
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Former Employer Gives Her Lukewarm Reference
Eileen writes: After being on the job market for several months — and a finalist for a number of jobs — I found out that my former employer may be giving me a marginal reference. I am having some colleagues call to find out what he’s saying. But, if that’s true, how do I get around not giving him as a reference since I worked for that company for 14 years? That alone screams problem. I can’t have a potential employer call someone else at the company —... |
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Explaining Past-Boss Personality Conflict to Prospective Employer
Julie writes: I was fired from a job last December (2009). My employer and I had personality conflicts and she labeled me a negative person. At the time I was not angry at her for firing me. I didn’t really care. However, I have had leads for several good jobs and have filled out applications for them knowing I was qualified, have had several interviews, but am still unemployed. I have put on the application for reason for leaving “will explain in interview.” I do not... |
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What Skills Do Employers Really Seek?
Michael writes: I have a question about the types of skills employers are searching for from job-seekers. I’m about to start my last year of college and if I can pick up a course or two during this year to make it easier for me to find a job in May when I graduate, I want to do it. So, can you help me? The Career Doctor responds: Great question! I actually encouraged my juniors and seniors when I weas teaching to conduct a SWOT analysis in preparation for better career planning... |
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She Wants Out of Retail But Doesn't Know How or Where to Go
Andrea writes: I work in retail and hate it. I have been doing it for a few years now; I kind of fell into it at first, maybe even liked it at first, but now I don’t enjoy going to work, am sick of dealing with customers, and don’t know how to escape this torture. I can’t just quit my job, and I don’t really know what I would do anyway. The Career Doctor responds: Yours is a pretty common situation among older 20-year-olds. You graduate college without a clear... |
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Can She Rebound from Weak Performance at Company Job Fair?
Kathryn writes: I recently went to a job fair seeking a position which was exactly what I have been looking for, and matches my background perfectly…. However, after a preliminary interview I was told I would get a call the next day (No call, two business days have passed). Afterwards I felt I did not do my best. Although my background is exactly what they were looking for, there was also an aptitude test and a personality test, and I get anxious and start over thinking every little... |
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Which Graduate Program Should He Choose?
Rock writes: I really liked your article about considering graduate school. I have made up my mind that this is definitely the right career choice for me. I have been working for a while in social services, but have not been able to make the kind of money I need to have a secure future. I am thinking about going forward to get a PhD in English literature. I am waffling because I really want to pick a solid program that will offer a competitive degree in the area of social services or education.... |
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He Keeps Getting Branded as Overqualified
Joseph writes: I enjoyed your article about overqualified job applicants. However, I do not agree with your assessment of the “out-of-work- desperate-for-any-job” applicant. Unfortunately, we all need money to live. A person is better off employed beneath their level of ability than unemployed. Any employee will bolt for a better offer. The risk is always present. Being overqualified is in the eye of the beholder. I have had people tell me that I would be unchallenged in a... |
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Where Can Interviewee Get Better Interview Attire?
Rosalie writes: I have a friend who is looking for work but doesn’t have any interview clothing. He is trying his best to land a job but because he is not in the right attire he is not hired. Is there anything that your organization can do to help a good friend of mine? Please let me know! The Career Doctor responds: I laud your efforts for wanting to help your friend. Dressing appropriately at a job interview is important, but not the only factor to be considered. A job-seeker’s... |
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Negotiating a Better Salary at Nonprofit
Debbie writes: I have received a job offer for a marketing-manager position from a company that is a perfect fit for me but is essentially a non-profit. As such, the salary is lower than what the market value. My research indicates that an average wage for a marketing manager in this area is in the area of $60,000. The offer came in at $49,000. The posting for the job did indicate a range of $38,400 to $51,200. Benefits are good; of particular interest to me personally are the 401K and... |
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Explaining Termination -- But Bigger Question Is What She's Done Since
Christina writes: I taught at an exclusive private school on the west coast. I was terminated after a combination of in-school politics and personalities collided. My boss — the terminator — emphasized that my competence was not an issue. (I had been advised not to resign by my immediate supervisor — the headmaster — who had also been forced out.) How do I respond to the application (for another teaching job back here) question that asks about one’s being... |
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How Can She Explain Her School-Motivated Job-Hopping?
Tiffany writes: I am currently seeking a customer-service position, preferably in the medical field, which will allow me to begin university classes this upcoming fall semester. I had been working as a customer service rep at an AT&T Wireless Call Center. The job became too redundant, so I quit and took a job at another wireless call center. I am afraid that after I get out of training, I will be given a mid-day work schedule that will not allow me to take classes in the morning or in... |
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Teetering on Workaholism -- But Her Boss Is Even Worse
Roxanne writes: I took the workaholics quiz you have on your QuintCareers.com Website and it said that I was in danger of overdoing it. Unfortunately, I have a boss who does not believe there is anything but work and more work. In fact, most of us in the office never even take all our vacation time for fear of what might happen. So, I guess I want to ask what should I do? Should I be concerned? Or is my boss right about all of us being a lazy society? The Career Doctor responds: I’m... |
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He's Smarter Than Average But Lacks a Network
Devin writes: Hey, I was just wondering what I can do to get a job. My problem is that I’m flat-out not getting accepted anywhere, and by now, it’s taxing my patience. Part of the problem is that although I’m smarter than pretty much every single one of my friends who has a job (which by now is all of them) I don’t have some sort of “in” — no friend of a friend or anything like that to help me out. On top of that, I’m very personable, usually... |
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Following Up After Silence Following Multiple Interviews
D.B. writes: After 5 years in my first management position, I decided it’s time to move on. I sent my resume to apply for a manager position with a bigger company about 3 weeks ago. I was immediately asked to come in for an interview with HR. Then, 2 days later I was asked to come in again to meet with the director who this position reports to. Then, 2 days later I was asked to come in again; this time to meet with a technical resource (another manager who would be in the same... |