Dear J.T. & Dale: I can’t turn on the TV without hearing about Twitter. It seems like people either love it or hate it…I just don’t understand it. Can you explain what all the noise is about? — Kyle Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My company recently came to us and explained that they could either complete a round of layoffs or have us all take a reduction in pay. We opted to take the pay cut, but I’m questioning it. Now EVERYONE is struggling to pay their bills. Don’t you think it would have made more sense to just let a group of people go and have them find new jobs? — Mackenzie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Is there such a thing as internships for adults? — J.K. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was the executive assistant to our CEO until he announced his retirement and the company announced that an internal employee would replace him. I have not been fired, but have been replaced in my position. My company assures me that they will find me something else, but honestly, positions of my level do not come along very often. I go into work every day with no assignments, reduced to offering my help to co-workers. It’s humiliating. I’ve been told I should be happy that I have a paycheck, but I want to work. I feel that they are letting me stew until I leave. — Barb Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: The company I work for hired an outside firm to handle employment verification. Now if I leave and get offered a new job, the verification company will demand that the prospective employer pay a $13 fee. I feel like my work history is being held for ransom. Why would an employer consider hiring me if they can get other people without the hassle? — Mike Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: Time for our monthly suggestion of useful career resources, and this time we want to feature those angels of information, librarians.

J.T.: A recent statement from the American Library Association called them the “nation’s new career counselors.” Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: When I decided to go back to professional work, I had to deal with the standard request for the date of my graduation from high school. I certainly don’t see the job relevance. This practice automatically provides the employer with the age of the applicant, who can then use whatever excuse is handy not to interview/hire the applicant. Why is it legal to ask for information that is not supposed to be considered in hiring? — John Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I took the past three years off to spend time with my children. Now that the kids are of an age where they would rather NOT spend time with me, I’m ready to get back to work. I know my resume screams “She’s been sitting on her butt for three years.” Should my cover letter explain my situation, or would that throw me in the “no” pile even faster? Help! — Gail Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: During my employment interviews, I came across a tactic that I can only describe as “good cop/bad cop.” The “good guy” smiles and asks the easy questions, while the “bad cop” sneers and asks the tough ones. I’ve been around long enough to have a thick skin, but this abuse really bothered me. — Ray Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was fired 12 years ago because my drawer came up short. This was a hard lesson I learned about trusting co-workers. How far do employers really go to check your work history? (I only list the past 10 years of work history on my resume.) — Lon Read the rest of this entry »