I have nearly three years experience in the finance/accounting field.  My work experience, however, is from temporary/contract positions.  How can I overcome the “temporary” label to get a permanent position?  It seems like when I interview with different companies they look at my contract positions as a negative, while I consider them a positive. Additionally, what is the best way to prepare my resume given that I have worked several different contract positions?

Start your resume with a summary, stating that you are looking for a full-time career opportunity that will allow you to … Then consider outlining (perhaps using bullets) your areas of expertise (i.e., accounting software, preparing P&L statements, etc.).  As you move down your resume, you might just show the years and for employer, list multiple contract positions and bullet the positions and responsibilities for some key skills that match the needs of the potential employer. The fact that you’ve worked several temporary/contract positions does not have to be a negative.  It can be positioned as a positive in that you’ve had many different experiences that allowed you tremendous growth.

I have 25 years of financial experience, recently completed my MBA with a 4.0 GPA, and was laid off from my last consulting job in December 2005. I am trying to start a couple of businesses but in the interim, most companies want to hire me as a contract consultant at a senior level rather than as a direct employee. I am 47 and feel very strongly a lot of this is age discrimination. What suggestions do you have to proceed at this point?

Many organizations, especially with people with your experience, have moved to hiring contract consultants vs. employees.  Every organization is constantly changing and as such, they know their needs will change as well.  I do not see this as an issue of age discrimination, but rather a trend that is happening worldwide with top talent.  If you are sharing your plans for a couple of businesses, I would assume they see you as a short-term investment – therefore, consulting seems to make more “business sense”.  Keep looking, consider some of the big consulting firms (i.e. Towers Perrin, Watson Wyatt, etc.).  They’re always looking for talent like yours.

My background is in marketing, specifically for real estate development companies.  I am looking to change industries but I'm noticing that most employers want experience in their respective fields.  Can you give me advice on how to overcome this?  How do I get my foot in the door?

Get crystal clear on what skills you bring to any organization, regardless of industry.  Your marketing perspective; what skills are transferable (you’ll be surprised at how many)?  Build your resume as more of a functional resume, showing the skills and talents you can bring in the area of marketing.

Often when you change industries, you have to take a step down to get over (I call this realignment).  Reaching your ultimate goals sometimes requires an apparent step backward.  To see if realignment might make sense, ask yourself these questions:

1. If I take a step down into another area, what would the benefits be? 
2. Am I willing to accept the same or a lower salary to try a different industry? What other “benefits” might I lose (flexibility, input, decision making, etc.)?
3. How could a step down help me to use the skills I really enjoy?  What things do I enjoy now that I could transfer to another industry?

Once you know what you want, networking is the best way to make this transition.  If you can get a personal reference from someone within the organization, you are more likely to get an interview.

I recently graduated with my MBA in Finance, attaining a pretty decent GPA. However, while in Grad school, I was raising my two children (both under five), so I didn't have time to work. I went to Grad school only two years after completing my undergraduate degree so my experience has been minimal (plus I worked temp positions in order to have more control over my time). How do I convince companies to hire me for entry level positions without appearing 'overqualified' or 'under-experienced'?

First, gain clarity on what your goals are … what do you want to learn? What are you willing to contribute? Where do you want to be career-wise in one year, five years, and ten years?  Then reinvent your resume, to best match the qualifications of the position(s) you are applying for.  This will allow you to emphasize areas, which are more pertinent to a certain position, and de-emphasize some of the work you’ve done in the past that may make you appear to be “over-qualified”.  In the summary portion of your resume, state exactly what your goals are … that you want to be in an organization that provides learning and growth, so you can leverage your education to gain on-the-job expertise.  It is often best to learn the business and then grow your career.  Download an excerpt from my book, Love It, Don’t Leave It:  26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work. You will find the “Career” chapter helpful as you begin your search

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As an unemployed individual looking for employment, how do I handle multiple offers when I do not want a single one?

There are two things you can do – 1) keep looking, don’t give up and 2) look deeper within the offers you’ve received.  Read the company’s annual report, explore their career page on their website … so the job offer is not perfect, but perhaps the organization and the opportunities are.  A good job can be the best link to a perfect job.  See what opportunities lay within the organization.

How do you broach the subject of salary ranges and benefits, like relocation, before paying to go to a second interview?  If employers are not willing to pay candidates to travel to interviews, this information becomes even more important before spending the money to go back for another interview.

You should come right out and ask the questions.  This is important information for you to know before making additional investments in the job search. 

I have a degree in Management Information Systems and decided to give back to the community by teaching technology for a non profit. I was eventually promoted to Assistant Director of the Center then served as Executive Director for another non-profit. I am eager to get back into the technology industry but I feel like recruiters look at my resume and only see management. Do you have any advice as to how I can successfully transition to a new industry?

Quite often, as people move into management positions, they realize their passion is missing – the passion for the job was “doing” rather than managing.  You might want to start by providing a summary at the front end of your resume, showing your technical expertise and key skills.  Here you can provide a summary not only of your skills, but also of your passion driven search for the right job.  As you begin the interviewing process, recognize the value of the knowledge gained in management and teaching technology.  Then link it to the requirements of the job.  One of the best blends in the IT world is the technical expertise and the ability to work and team with others within your unit and outside of your unit.  This is where your management and teaching positions will pay off.

What is the best way to handle the question of why you left your last job if you were fired?  The firing had nothing to do with job performance, but something of a more personal nature.

I think the most appropriate thing to say was it wasn’t a good fit.

I'm a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom who practiced law for nine years; however I have been out work for almost four years.  I am ready to return to the workforce.  Where do I start?

The fact that you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for four years should really have no bearing on returning to the workforce.  I do think it’s important as you begin your search to indicate what else, besides staying at home as a mom, you’ve done for the past four years.  Did you belong to any professional associations? Did you attend any conferences or go to school?  How did you keep up with the business while you were out?  Then examine what you’re truly interested in doing.  Perhaps your values have changed since parenthood.  Perhaps the perfect job four years ago is not the perfect job today.  Take some time and examine your values to make sure they are aligned with positions you apply for (there’s a great exercise in my newest book Love It, Don’t Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What you Want at Work).  Then armed with that knowledge, begin your search.  There are many websites for attorneys (i.e. Lawcrossing.com, attorneyjobs.com, counsel.net/jobs, mlaglobal.com, legalauthority.com).  Explore opportunities through your own network (even if it has been four years).  Start making calls.

What process do you recommend after you have run through your network contacts and web-based resume submissions without receiving any positive response? How can you follow-up on Internet posted positions when the positions do not list contact information?

Go to the career section of the company’s websites.  Here you can find an amazing amount of information.  Start calling around the organization, ask for information within the business unit you’ve applied.  You’ll find that secretaries and other administrative personnel who answer the phones can offer a lot of information.  Often they can even make direct links for you.  Don’t rely strictly on the web services.  It’s best if you make telephone (or personal) connections with people at the organization.

How should I target my career search when I want to move away from management into other roles? I have been in managerial/supervisory roles for over five years, have my MBA and am pursuing a Master's in HR Management and Development. Any suggestions on next steps?

This is a tough question to answer as I don't know what other roles you're considering. I think it's important to take a hard look at what you love to do ... what about your management roles did you love and what didn't you love. What was missing? Create your own inventory of what the perfect job would look like. Then look at the skills and knowledge you've acquired in those key areas you love. As you explore a career in the HR Management field, use this inventory as your guide. You'll be able to see the connection between what you've done and what you excel in to what key HR roles are looking for. HR is an incredible field ... one of the strengths you can bring is your previous experience in the field, in management and supervisory roles. I suggest you look at industries that you've worked in in the past, and concentrate your search to an HR role within that field.

At what time during the interview is it appropriate to ask about the compensation of the job you are interviewing for if the employer has not mentioned it? During the interview or after you have been offered the position?

During the interview. Of course, you should ask about expectations for the position, but you should also ask about the benefits, growth opportunities and salary scale for the position.

During an interview, is it ok for the interviewee to take notes for the end of the interview, when the recruiter asks if I have any questions?

Absolutely. In fact, an interviewer should be impressed! It's great to take notes during the interview process so you can come up with direct questions about the job at the end of your interview. It also allows you to summarize why you're the perfect fit, using their language, and what you can bring to the job.

It looks as though I am about to be offered a more senior position within my company. Should I ask for a raise right away or wait a while? If I should wait, how long should I wait? I pursued the position; they did not come to me first.

I suggest that when you are offered the position, you're prepared to ask pertinent questions. Some of these questions might include what is expected of you, why have they chosen you, what will success look like, can they assign you a mentor, what will your review process be, how can you learn and grow on the job, what will your earning capacity be. Money is not the only key to satisfaction ... while important, your learning and growth will provide much more satisfaction. By learning and growing, you will become more valuable to your organization ... it's good to determine what triggers will drive compensation.

I just graduated from college. Following graduation, I had a good job in public relations. However, I missed my family, so after six or seven months, I left the company and moved home. They understood from the beginning that this was a temporary job. In fact, I had only planned to work there during the summer, however they begged me to stay longer. Anyway, now that I've moved back to California I can't find a job! What should I reasonably expect to find with so little experience? I have great skills, education and references. What is your best tip for recent grads?

Look for a job in an organization that gives you exposure, learning, challenge and growth. While you may not start in the perfect job, if you navigate and explore enrichment opportunities and great links, it can become the perfect job. Internships also provide a great opportunity for new grads, they allow you to experience the organization and seek and seize future opportunities.

I will be graduating with two masters degrees in Human Resources (HR) this summer. I have been submitting resumes with no response. I recently changed my chronological resume to a functional resume because all of my HR experience was three years ago. I have since been working on my HR degree for two years and I am also a member of SHRM. In submitting a functional resume, is it okay to display my work experience as past to present versus the standard way of current to past?

With a functional resume, I think it's best to provide a highlight section at the front end, perhaps in a summary section. Here you can show specific skills and experience, areas of expertise, without providing dates. Then you can provide specifics in your experience section. In your summary/introduction, it will be key to state what you are looking for, what your qualifications are, and what you can bring to the job. If you clarify that up front, it will encourage the reader to look for details.

What's the best way to start a career in international marketing? I worked in the international division of a finance company (not in marketing), speak Spanish, have lived in Spain, and have coursework in this area. It's difficult even finding out which companies have production or sales abroad.

One of my favorite websites for gaining information on worldwide organizations is Hoovers (www.hoovers.com). I know there are many others (including business.com, yahoo, etc.). I would start by finding a great business directory where you can search for specific industries, locations, etc. Given your background in finance, you might want to seek a position in international marketing for a financial services organization. Use an Internet search engine ... type in "Finance International Marketing" ... you'll be surprised what you can uncover.

I am a 52-year-old male living in the United States and working as the Finance Director of a non-profit agency. I am not a CPA, but have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and my MBA. I have been in my current position for 12 years and am happy doing this kind of accounting work.

However, right now I am quite close to a woman, and we have talked about marriage and living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have begun my research on a move to Canada and have found it quite daunting. Essentially, outside of marriage, and that is something my fiancé and I have not finalized yet, the best way to get into Canada is to secure employment. Outside of the logistical barriers, there is also the barrier of my not having "Canadian experience" in the field.

Any suggestions or connections for me to investigate?

Thank you so much for your time.

There are many Canadian companies with operations in the United States. I'd start my search by looking for companies in Calgary that have a U.S. presence. Find out what Canadian experience means ... how does that link to the experience you've had in the U.S.? You might want to seek out the expertise of a Canadian Career Coach.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Services Administration. I am trying to get a job in the healthcare field, however, it seems that most of the administrative jobs (i.e. healthcare coordinator, project coordinator, entry level positions in quality management) require a clinical degree/background.

I am beginning to think that I have obtained this degree in vain (at least in the concentration of the degree).

I have had administrative assistant positions in healthcare-based organizations, but even that experience is getting me nowhere.

Any advice?

Starting out in a new field is always difficult. It takes time, patience and information. My experience in the healthcare field is that companies are desperate for talent. There are so many factors working against it and the need for talent is critical. Don't give up ... do your homework!

There are hundreds of job sites for healthcare positions. You can use the large databases like TrueCareers, Monster and CareerBuilder, and search for healthcare jobs globally. Or there are hundreds of industry specific sites like healthjobsusa.com, hcjobsonline.com, healthcaresource.com, etc. Use an Internet search engine to find one that meets your needs.

Join healthcare associations! Attend conferences! There are many to choose from - local and national. As you participate, connect with your peers ... ask questions, learn more - develop links to your field.

Once you find a job ... network, network and network. Learn more about the organization and find ways to navigate your way in. Find out about opportunities to participate more in the organization, to volunteer or take on responsibilities outside of your direct area. Look for opportunities to work on a team. Search for mentors both inside and outside of your organization. Identify what you want, and then seek those with the wisdom you need.

I have a master's degree in English, one year experience teaching at the college level, and extensive bar/restaurant experience. Hurricane Katrina has put a bit of a hold on my teaching career, and I feel I am overqualified to continue tending bar. I have no sales experience and was turned down for positions in the publishing/sales industry. Based on my education and experience, what other careers could I pursue?

Take some time to evaluate the skills and competencies you've used and developed in all of your positions. You'll be able to uncover "matches" to many new opportunities. I'd suggest you take time to do some career exploration. There are many websites that offer free questionnaires and quizzes to help you find a career "fit" (LiveCareer.com, tickle.com, ebullpen.com, virtualdiagnostics.ca) or there are several career assessments you can purchase and explore with a career counselor or coach, like Myers-Briggs (and others). Know what you love, know what you can excel at, and find the perfect match. Good luck!

I am a 33-year-old stay at home mom. Actually, I have been working part-time on weekends at a local bank for the last three years. I will graduate with an MBA in May 2006. I am so hungry to start working in my field of study, but because I chose to get married and start my family right out of undergrad, I haven't been able to get the type of meaningful work experience that most employers are looking for. What should I do and what type of jobs should I be looking for that will put me on the fast track to earning the type of salary that I hope to earn and get a return on my education investment?

Job descriptions and job postings can be an incredible tool, especially for someone like you. Take the job description provided and break it down into specific competencies and skills required by the hiring organization. List these on the left side of a piece of paper. Then think about your own experience, whether on the job, in school, or as a stay-at-home mom. You'll be surprised to see how you can match your strengths to their specific position requirements.

On another note, keep in mind that while salary is important, it is not the driver for satisfaction one would think. After surveying more than 15,000 workers (see www.KeepEm.com for the entire survey data), we continue to find that the top reasons why people stay in a position are:

Exciting work and challenge
Career growth, learning and development
Working with great people and relationships

Once you identify the right organization, be sure that these drivers are available to you. Explore with your potential boss what opportunities there are for growth and exciting work. Research what multiple career options might be open to you at your new organization (there are many ways to move within an organization besides UP). In Love It, Don't Leave It, there's a chapter on Goals and exploring career options; set your goals before your interview ... then explore if they're achievable on the job. I'm a firm believer that if you love your job, you'll succeed. You'll bring skills, energy and competencies to your employer and you will be rewarded. It's your job. It's your career ... you'll need to navigate it.

While in the interviewing process, it's absolutely imperative that you do your homework and are well prepared to ask important questions to determine whether the company & position are a good fit for you. What you're talking about is finding a position that matches your values. Values serve as filters for your decisions and define what matters most to you. It appears that you are not finding jobs that match your own personal values. When your values match your work and your workplace, you feel "in sync." Your work feels meaningful, purposeful, and important. To help clarify your values, you might ask a friend to interview you ... then you'll hear your own words, using these questions. As you answer each question, have your friend ask you "Why?"

What have you missed most from a previous job or company?
What made your "best job ever" your best job ever?
When was a time you felt really energized at work? What were you doing?
What value would you not compromise, no matter what the consequence?

In my most recent book, Love It, Don't Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work, there's a complete chapter on Values. It provides an exercise to identify your own Values and provides tips on uncovering the values of your "new" boss, team or organization. First, figure out what's important to you; then create some interview questions to see how well your new opportunity is aligned to what's important to you. Good luck.

I recently found out that the job I interviewed for about two weeks ago will be offered to me in a week, at a company I have wanted to work for forever ... this is the opportunity I've been waiting for. At the time of my interview, the hiring manager mentioned that he needs someone immediately and I responded that I'd be able to make it there in a month; leaving my current employer with a trained replacement ... this conversation took place two weeks ago.

I didn't think it was important to mention in the interview that I am pregnant. My baby is due in mid-June and my plan is to take off six-eight weeks after the baby is born. Given this situation, what do you recommend I do?

I have considered leaving a message with the recruiter (who will be out next week) to let her know that I need to discuss something with her; then when we talk to inform her about the pregnancy and see if this will affect the offer.

In short I have three questions:
1. Do I tell them that I'm pregnant?
2. If yes, how do I not sound like I withheld info from them and how do I convince them to let me start in August?
3. If not, how do I go about convincing them that my unfinished business is important enough for them to wait three to four months before I start the position?

Yes, you should tell your employer that you are pregnant. If they stated they needed you in a month and you plan to be off work for June-August, your commitment to them that you could be there in a month was not accurate. I'd suggest you have a heart-to-heart talk with your new employer to explain yourself ... to restate all the reasons why you want the job, and offer suggestions for a transition during your delivery. Perhaps you could work as a contractor during the summer months, and then be considered for the full-time position at the end of your maternity leave. Good luck.

Six months ago, after much reflection, I quit my job as a Manager at a large company because the roles and responsibilities of the position did not meet the expectations which were presented to me when I accepted the offer. I felt that I was moving backwards in career growth.

I had worked at the company for one year, and earned a high performance rating. When I quit, I purposely chose to take these several months off prior to seeking a new career opportunity to help my family (for whom English is a second language) with several projects (buying a home, selling a home, financial planning, managing the estate of a family member who passed away, and helping my mother to prepare for a major surgery). Also, I have chosen to move back to the West Coast to job-search (from East Coast).

What's the best way for me to "sell" my decision to quit and to take the time off to work on family projects? From the few preliminary discussions I've had so far, the people I've spoken with seem wary that I quit my job and think that I have just been unemployed for several months. I have a very strong work/school background. I completed my MBA at a top 20 school in 2004, and have performed at the top of each of my peer groups in my 14 years of working (three companies). Any thoughts you can offer will be much appreciated. Thank you!

I believe organizations, more and more, support the fact that employees are working on balancing family and work life. In fact, balance is coming up higher and higher in the scale of key "satisfactors" for today's workforce.

For starters, I'd recommend putting years only on your resume, that way the break in work doesn't become so obvious in the resume review process. Then, while in the actual interview, you can explain the break in service. You can explain why the timing was right and what you accomplished as a result. You can make it clear to your new potential employer that you were able to take care of personal business and can now focus on your new endeavor.

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