Dear J.T. & Dale: I never took high school seriously, but I managed to graduate. The biggest mistake I ever made was never going on to college. I went straight to work for a factory. That was 10 years ago. I just got let go from my latest dead-end factory job. I need a new direction, but just don’t know where to start. — Van

J.T.: It may not seem like it, Van, but you have actually gotten started in choosing a career direction. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: One of my co-workers has a habit of humming. She sings in a choir at church, but to be quite honest, she doesn’t hum well. It’s very distracting. Any advice on a pleasant way of telling her to keep her humming under wraps? — Justin

J.T.: That would drive me nuts, too. I worked with a woman who talked to herself under her breath. I misinterpreted it as her muttering about me. One day it got me so wound up that I asked her to tell me what I’d done wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Is there any way I can find out if my employer is paying men and women the same pay for the same job? — Britney

J.T.: In many states, it is illegal for HR to divulge what co-workers are earning. So I’d suggest approaching the issue indirectly. Start by asking the HR department about salary ranges, and what is required to attain the highest level. This approach suggests that you’re trying to learn what you need to do to enhance your performance and eventually earn more money. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ve been employed as a technical writer since 1980. Previously, I enjoyed my job, but that is no longer true. I’m burned out. I need to work 10-15 more years. I have taken career assessments, read career-change books and researched job trends. But I feel stuck. Every career that sounds interesting would require that I go back to school, and might end up being no less stressful or more secure than my current job. — LeeAnn Read the rest of this entry »

Hi friends of J.T. & Dale Talk Jobs!

With the job loss rates steadily increasing, I thought I’d take a moment to put out a list of some additional resources (besides our own site of course!) that can help with job search. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello, J.T. & Dale: I am a 15-year-old girl in high school and am interested in one day becoming a purchasing manager. I’m wondering what kind of classes I could take in college. Your advice would be a great help. — Belle

Dale: I think you may be the first teenager in history to be interested in a career in purchasing management.

J.T.: And that makes it a fantastic choice. For one thing, you will have an easy time getting advice from professionals in the field. It’s not like going to those in the typical glamour jobs — being a newscaster or a sports agent — where there are far more interested students than there are job possibilities. All you need to do, Belle, is find people in the field to contact. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: A fellow co-worker and I have been padding our expense accounts, and he got caught and fired, but I didn’t … yet. Should I look for a new job? — Marty Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I enjoy reading your section in the paper. I always save it for last and drink my morning coffee while I take in the advice. I love that you give two different perspectives for each issue.

Here’s my question: I recently quit my job of eight years. I revamped my resume, and I think it looks pretty awesome. However, I am frustrated with the lack of response. The two companies that did interview me said that I am “overqualified.” Couldn’t they see that from my resume? — Maggie Read the rest of this entry »