Dear J.T. & Dale: To make a long story short: I am legally deaf, 40 pounds overweight and have an accent that belongs in a category of its own. I worked in a plastics factory for two years and quit because management and co-workers kept making fun of me. I asked them not to, which only made it worse. I didn’t take it to the labor board because I didn’t want them to get in trouble. Now, how do I answer the “Why did you quit?” question without bad-mouthing my previous place of employment?

– Robin Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I graduated with bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and chemical engineering in 1994.

I began working for my family’s small retail business. Now, 13 years later, the business is dying and I’m beginning to think about going back into my “educated” profession. I live in a town full of engineering jobs, but they all require three years’ experience.

– Kevin Read the rest of this entry »

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
Read the rest of this entry »

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 »