Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently got an associate degree with a certificate as a medical office specialist, and yet I’ve been having problems finding a career. I have seen hundreds of advertisements looking for fresh-out-of-college students with 6-plus years’ experience, one even seeking 10! Now, assuming you graduated on time, that means they expect you to have started your career in the field at age 12. Am I missing something? - Dylan

J.T.: What they mean, Dylan, is that you should have a degree and THEN the years of experience after graduating. Although, there are occasions when someone gets experience first, and then goes back to get a degree to qualify for higher-level jobs. Either way, Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Next month, I will have been unemployed for a year. Since moving cross-country in 2003, I have held three different jobs - a year and a half at the first, a year at the second and nine months at the third. I’m worried that my instability of job tenure is working against me. I’ve had five interviews, but they hired someone with more experience or from within the company. Are my relatively short stays at three companies working against me? If so, how do I overcome it? - Harvey Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I read with great interest your column regarding harassment on the job. I think you should also write about workplace bullying. Research indicates that 37 percent of U.S. workers are bullied. I was the target of bullying, and made the painful decision to leave a job that was my passion. Although I reported the problem, my employer never took me seriously. How can the “target” convince the employer that this is a serious situation? - Cindy

Dale: One of my favorite workplace principles is relevant here: “With a good boss there are no bad jobs; with a bad boss there are no good jobs.” Wise employees seek out great bosses, ones who will help them learn, evolve and prosper. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: A good friend of mine is struggling with how to approach re-entering the work force. She left work to care for her husband, who had cancer and eventually died. One of her friends has suggested that she include the reason for her absence in her cover letter. I disagree, and believe she should wait to bring it up in an interview, although she has some concerns about becoming emotional during such an explanation. What are your thoughts? - Bill

J.T.: To start, I would list on her resume Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have a poor work history. I have been fired or quit many times. How do I get a decent job now? I have great customer-service skills but keep losing out to less-qualified candidates. - Scott

Dale: You say you lose out to “less-qualified candidates,” but it’s important to remember that your work history IS a qualification.

J.T.: But you know what Scott means.

Dale: Yes, but for almost every job, there are plenty of people with experience - the choice is made on whom the hiring manager believes in and wants to work with.

J.T.: So, Scott, you need to build a new work history. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m an accountant who’s been absent from the work world for seven years as a stay-at-home mom. How do I get back into the accounting world, which I have missed so much? - Ann

J.T.: Just list the gap in your employment as being a “full-time mother” - that one simple line accounts for the years spent doing the hardest job of all. (OK, can you tell I’m a mommy?) Then, create a unique cover letter that shares an example of your passion for your field. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My boss hired a woman, and now they are dating. This is in direct violation of policies listed in our company handbook. I called the company’s anonymous hotline for reporting such things, and even though the evidence was overwhelming, no action has been taken. What’s up? — Colin Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: One of my colleagues is giving me trouble. She and I do the same job, but she has become a control freak. I cannot stand people who are not a superior but who make it their job to boss you around. This co-worker is close friends with our supervisor, and other colleagues tell me it is pointless to complain. What should I do? — Jeremy Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m looking for a sanity check. In May 2007, I was lucky enough to get an excellent job right out of college. But recently, I’ve begun to feel enormously frustrated. My co-workers give me very little respect. It crushes me when I’m treated like the office idiot. I’ve been looking for ways out, but never seem to get very far. I read every book or blog posting that says “job” and “happiness” in the title. Am I going crazy? — Shana Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Twice I was the final candidate for a new job, contingent upon employment and reference checks. The end result was no job offer. How can I keep from being torpedoed? — Bart Read the rest of this entry »