Dear J.T. & Dale: I have recurring ovarian cancer. To look at me, you would not know I am sick. I’ve also been very fortunate not to have any noticeable effects from the chemo. I’ve only missed three workdays since March ‘07 due to the illness. I will shortly be unemployed and will be seeking a new position. How/when do I tell a prospective employer about my cancer? — Meredith Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: At a recent job review, my boss told me that my writing skill, which I’d been told by previous employers is my greatest strength, is, in her opinion, my biggest weakness. I was shocked. I like my job and want to stay, but I’m finding it difficult to cope with the fact that I am working for someone whom I don’t see eye-to-eye with. — Melissa Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was terminated from my previous job as a store manager. I had my brother call my previous employer to see what they’d say about me. It isn’t what they said, but how they said it: “He was terminated for performance,” and then with a snotty attitude, “No, he isn’t eligible for rehire.” What can I do? I was not terminated for performance but because my supervisor wanted me involved in unscrupulous dealings and I refused. Got any advice? — Jack Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I love where I work — or I would, except for the fact that my job is being ruined by a nasty co-worker. She is rude and condescending to me and everyone else. Other employees avoid our department because of her. There have been complaints, but our manager refuses to do anything about her. (She’s been with the company for seven years.) I have tried everything. Is there a solution, or should I move on? — Vicki Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was fired for reasons I felt were inappropriate. I applied for unemployment, my former employer objected, I appealed, and won the appeal. I am suing for inappropriate dismissal (breach of contract). I also am applying for new jobs. Should I even apply for a position out of town until the lawsuit is over? — Kim Read the rest of this entry »

I was contacted to do a radio interview with a very popular Boston-based drive time radio show called ‘The Sandbox’ this past Monday.

In the interview, Charlie, Ed and Fletcher, the three radio personalities who host the show, came up with a new term for what I do: Workplace Psychiatry. I’m absolutely no doctor, but in a way, I guess it does some up what a ‘workplace consultant & career coach’ does for a living.

Check out this post on the experience where you can listen to a few snippets of the discussion: http://www.jtodonnell.com/wordpress/?p=37

Dear J.T. & Dale: My first annual performance review was more than seven months late. When we finally sat down, it was a satisfying review, and I received my increase. It’s now almost two months past my second anniversary, and this time my manager said that I was valued and that I would be receiving double the increase I received last time — although, since it’s not in the budget, it would take a while. After a few weeks, when I expressed eagerness to get the raise and to sit down and talk, she said, “There’s nothing left to talk about.” I’ve been able to maintain a professional demeanor (not been angry or demanding), but I’m flummoxed! — Kathleen Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: When I was terminated from my job, I was not given a reason other than it was a “corporate decision.” I was never asked to give my side of the story. I want to be honest during my interviews and also on employment applications. How would you recommend that I handle this? — Mary Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently quit my job as an human-resources generalist with an aerospace company. I really liked the job and my co-workers, with the exception of my boss. As much as I tried, I could not work with the manager’s style, and I quit. I have had one interview, and when I told the interviewer that the environment was not right for me, she asked why. I felt like a deer in headlights and gave an answer I knew was not right. What do you advise? — C.P. Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: It’s time for our suggestions of valuable career resources, and OK, I know it seems self-indulgent to suggest something I wrote, but I recently did an interview that I want to make available to our readers. It’s an interview with Tony Little … yeah, the guy with the blond ponytail you see on infomercials. He is the ultimate example of someone creating a personal brand. Turns out that Little’s a quiet and thoughtful man who figured out how to make himself unique. It’s terrific information that you can read at jtanddale.com.

J.T.: And here’s an idea that’s useful for everyone, but especially for those of an age who might be wondering, “What the tarnation can I do?” Try getting in touch with the other generations on the job. Many people think and act their age; yet, I also know lots of mature employees who work exceptionally well with the younger generations and have no problems finding work as a result. Here’s a link to a free, online test that let’s you see how well you relate to the generations in today’s workplace: www.generationalprofile.com. (This link is also on the Career Resources page of our Web site/blog, www.jtanddale.com.) If you learn to better connect with the other generations in the workforce (there are four!), you just might tap into a way to make yourself eligible for more job opportunities.