jtanddale | 
04 27th, 2010| 
Dear J.T. & Dale: I am trying to recover from a bad communication with a potential employer. I am an unemployed physicist trying to move out of physics and seek work as a data analyst. Upon sending a resume, I got a response that said:
“I’m glad to see you are also a Toastmaster.
When I read your resume, I can’t help but wonder two things. First, can we keep you challenged; and second, how much compensation are you looking for?”
Sadly, I replied with the following very bad e-mail:
“To alleviate your concerns, my interest in doing data analysis would keep me engrossed in this position. Concerning compensation, I would be content to receive the industry norm for this field, as posted in your posting, which is similar to what I received as a physicist.”
It’s been two days, and I haven’t heard anything, so I thought I would send her a recovery e-mail, but I don’t know what to include. — Tina Read the rest of this entry »
Dear J.T. & Dale: In a few months, I will graduate with an MBA in health care. This will be my third college degree. I’ve never been able to get a job related to my schooling that would sustain me and my family. For the past 20 years, I have been a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Any job offered to me that was related to my schooling paid far less than I could make as a CNA. Advice? — Natalie 
Dear J.T. & Dale: There’s a job opening at a local hospital for a health information tech, which is the job I am currently studying for. Is it OK to offer my volunteer services for a job? I’d do it to get the position and get some experience in the field. However, I spoke to someone who told me that volunteering does not count as “experience.” What do you say? — Shaista 
J.T.: Occasionally we like to invite experts into the conversation, and this time we have the chance to hear from a corporate turnaround expert, someone who is an authority on saving failing companies. 
Dear J.T. & Dale: Last year I was dismissed from a job as a supervisor on a construction project. When I started the job, my immediate supervisor told me not to do anything without his OK. As the project proceeded, I pointed out problems, but was rebuffed. One subcontractor did a great deal of damage, and although I kept my supervisor up to date, he failed to deal with it. Eventually, the errors became public. The person supervising me was in charge of hiring and firing, so you know what happened to me. Now there are rumors circulating about the incident, and they all have me at the center of the difficulty. How do I deal with this in interviews? — Harlan 
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’d like to piggyback on a question posed by another reader. Two years ago I left a position because I had seizures. I was in and out of the hospital until I had brain surgery. Now I am seizure-free, but I have a two-year gap in my work history. I feel uncomfortable telling people about my medical issues, but I don’t want to lie. Any pointers? — Mimi 
Dale: Every month or so, we offer up our suggestions for the best resources for careers or management. 
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ve heard writing a strong, customized cover letter is the key to getting your resume noticed. Having devoted a lot of time to writing letters and gotten no response, I’m starting to wonder: Am I wasting my time? — Thad 
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m writing a cover letter for a position that said, “Send resume to Office Manager, P.O. Box…” How should I address the letter? I know you’re not supposed to use “To Whom It May Concern,” but what alternative is there? — Pat 
Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently heard the average job search is taking eight months. I have enough money saved to cover my expenses for only six months. What can I do to shorten the length of time it takes to find work? — Nathan 
