Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ll be finishing college in ‘08, and I’m starting to think about the job market. How does one “get the job”?

– Rebecca
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Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a city employee working in a technical inspection role.

I have been in this field for nine years, and I’m not going anywhere except to that dreaded brick wall at the end … oh wait, already there! I have recently divorced, lost my house and am currently going through bankruptcy because everything was in my name. I have back problems from childhood accidents and need to start over in my life with my daughter, and I can’t seem to find a better-paying job.

– Mike Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: What are your thoughts in regard to personality tests in the work environment. Where I work the tests are being used to some degree to determine promotions. We were amazed at what a short and simple test got correct, but at the same time concerned with what statistical testing got wrong.

- James Read the rest of this entry »

J.T. & Dale: I can’t seem to find a permanent job. My current resume is littered with temp jobs! I left a good job in 2001 to start an Internet business that was a spectacular failure. I have been unable to find a professional job since. I would love to work for a nonprofit doing communications. I really want to move on and stop reminiscing about the good old days (i.e., the late ’90s).

- Garrison Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: After 15 years as a trial attorney, I am seeking to change careers, but I’m having difficulty getting my foot in the door. I updated my skills and then applied for jobs as a change-management analyst, corporate-compliance manager, contracts analyst, proposal writer, proposal-development coordinator and program manager, among others. – Regina Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. and Dale: Eight years ago, I took my current job with every intention of staying until retirement. I was recently informed my job would be relocating to the company’s home base. I was told the relocation would be some time in the next six months, but I should be ready to relocate with two weeks’ notice. This is becoming stressful, so I am thinking of asking my employer to give me a definite date. Would this be an unwarranted request? – R.L. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am now in sales, but I want to be in accounting. I’m in school working toward a B.A. in accounting, but I can’t even find a job as a bookkeeper. It seems that every company wants experience, but how do I get experience? – Jared Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently left a well-paying job after five years with the company. The problem was with the two girls I had to work with. They would feed off each other and make it difficult for me. My supervisor said her hands were tied. I told her if nothing could be done, I would have to look for a position elsewhere. She said, “I hate to see you leave, but I understand and feel free to use my name as a reference.” You can imagine how I felt. Well, I left the company. I do not like the job I took. The man who hired me is always miserable. I was told I need to shrug it off, and if I can’t it would be best to find another job, because this is the way he is and he will never change. What should I say in future interviews as to why I left and why I’m looking? – Evelyn Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My friend got arrested for DUI. My question to you is, should he tell his boss? His lawyer says not to, as he has only been charged with a DUI, not convicted. However, I am of the feeling that being up-front is the best way to go instead of her finding out from someone else. (He was arrested in a county far from our workplace, so it will not be listed in the local paper.) – Elaine Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have a friend who never seems to land a job. Curiously, she takes her husband with her on interviews. Many people besides myself have advised her this could be the problem. She doesn’t think so. She thinks it’s just swell that her husband likes to check out places where she’s applying. (He waits in the lobby.) She said he wants to make sure males in the area know she’s married. I told her this raises red flags, but she doesn’t think so. How about a professional opinion? – Nancy Read the rest of this entry »