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: I have struggled for years to get a mainstream job, finally taking one where I work from 3 p.m. to midnight. I hate the job, but love the hours. Now I want to look for a job that will better suit my cultural studies degree but that has nighttime hours. Am I looking for a needle in a haystack? — Andy Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I will be completely honest about myself and my situation. First off, I’m what doctors call obese (flabby is more appropriate, but I am working on getting unflabby). Next, I have numerous medical conditions that allow me to walk short distances, but a wheelchair is often necessary. Then there is the fact that I have not worked as a paid person in my field (accounting/financial services), ever. I have eight years of volunteer work and internships. And, last but not least, I am fast approaching 50. How can a person like me find a career? — Cynthia Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My friend lost his job and can’t find another. Ten years ago, while he was on disability for a back injury, he did a plumbing job for a neighbor. His ex-wife turned him in. Therefore, he has a felony on his record. Is this why he isn’t getting hired? — Georgia Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m about to purchase a home 100 miles away from where I presently work. Should I tell my current boss that I plan on moving as soon as I find a job in my new city, or should I just wait until I find a new job? (If I tell my boss in advance, I think I could get a good reference from him, maybe even a letter of recommendation that I can use in my job search.) — Mary Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I graduated from college last spring and was hired as a para-educator (teacher’s assistant) at a middle school. My position is considered part time, so I do not receive any pay over the summer. Friends say that I should collect unemployment over the summer if I can’t find temporary work, but I’m worried that the school district will frown upon this and that my position could potentially be in danger. Thoughts? — June Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m an RN who was recently terminated. The reason given was “communication” and that my “attitude has been bad for weeks.” I was sent home twice in the week I was terminated. I was instructed by HR to approach my boss to initiate a conversation. The talk was interrupted by a phone call, so I stepped out of the office. I waited, but eventually left. (It was the end of the day.) The next day, my boss waved my vacation request in my face and said, “You can have your vacation,” and then stated that my employment was being severed. I believe that I’m just a scapegoat because my boss had been given poor performance reviews. Any thoughts on what I could do would be appreciated. — Carol 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 »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m not comfortable giving my Social Security number when filling out an application for a job. Is it really necessary? — Rick Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My husband and I both have worked in high tech for more than 20 years. With all the stress from outsourcing and reorgs and overly aggressive management, we feel like Lucy and Ethel in that famous “I Love Lucy” episode where the assembly line keeps gets cranked up faster and faster. We’ve been investigating alternative careers, but none of the resources we’ve used addresses how the work environment fits into the picture. We fear making a career change that ends up trapping us in a new toxic environment. — Kathy Read the rest of this entry »