Jim, IL

I am a 45 year old male. I am changing careers from directing nonprofit organizations and university teaching. I have a doctorate in psychology. I am financially stable and would like to try something new in my middle age years.

It has been years since I have engaged in a job search.  Would employment agencies helpful in finding an entry level customer service/administrative assistant type of job?  I am looking for something around the $30,000 mark, as I still will do private clinical practice to supplement my income.  

Wow that is so exciting to do something totally different. Here are some thoughts. If you were looking to make a career change at a high level...say going from being a nonprofit director to a director of marketing, an employment agency would not be helpful for you. Remember they get paid to find people that are experts in a field. However, if you are looking for a change, like the entry level position in customer service that you mentioned and you find a creative and experienced staffing manager at an agency, that person may be able to help, especially if he/she has strong relationships with his/her customers. 

Employment agencies definitely can help you if you are willing to start in a temporary or contract position. In that case, their customers are usually much more flexible about the types of candidates that they will consider for openings. Good luck!

I have been unemployed for nearly two years. I have done the odd contract (short term, one to two days) but I cannot seem to land anything long term or preferably, permanent. I have done just about everything I can to get employed, including changing my resume several times, focusing on specific areas, going to job links and fairs, you name it. I put down that I have been consulting for the last two years, which I have (not full time, but it is true) to cover my unemployment gap. What else can I do?

The good news is you are doing exactly what you need to do. Continue and try hard not to get frustrated (easier said than done I know) and keep working at it. Just reaching out for help here is great!  It shows you are leaving no stone unturned!

Also, keep seeking that contract or temporary work. These opportunities can often lead to permanent jobs, but more importantly, these types of situations will keep you working, networking and busy while you continue to search for a position that better fits your needs.  Be sure to do a great job while working contract work even if it is only one or two days, as many employees consider it an "audition" for a job - don't discount that.

I would like to change careers from accounting to nursing. Will my criminal background stop me from getting a nursing license?

This is a tough question for me to answer. I suggest that you contact your state licensing organization for more specific guidance. Maybe the American Association of Nurses can help? www.nursingworld.org

I have a personal matter, which I am unsure whether it affects my career. I have developed two resumes: one stating the event that affected my life and another that does not disclose it. I would like to have both of my resumes reviewed, as well as a suggestion as to which one is appropriate for employers.

We have some great resume consultants that we partner with on our site...try contacting Resume Edge for some specific help on your resume. They will be sure to help out!

Explain the gap honestly. You may be pleasantly surprised by the reactions! And besides, if the reaction is negative do you really want to work there?

Donna, FL

In your interview, also remember to have all your past supervisors names and numbers handy. If they are all glowing it puts you in a great place.

Lekesha, NJ

All kidding aside, honesty is the best policy. Explain that you made a choice to take care of your family for a while. You may be surprised by the positive reaction!

Nafisa, Uzbekistan

Cheryl, APO AP

Thank you for your advice.

As always, I promote honesty as the best policy.  Be straightforward about what you have been doing the past three years.  Describe it using words and descriptions that translate back to the work world.  See my first paragraph above.   

Organizations are much more flexible these days to gaps and non-traditional career moves!

Cathy, CA

But at the same time don't get too relaxed.  You are still being evaluated and there most likely is another finalist they are comparing you against so still have your best game face on.

Joanna, CA

With that said all solid job searches have multiple avenues that must be explored.  Don't rely on just one to find that job you seek.  Be sure you are exploring deeply all of these Abe:

1. You schools outplacement / career counseling center.  Be on top of them...they get paid to help you put your degree to work.

2. Your network - work it. Talk to everyone and everybody.  Get them a resume.  Be flexible.  Ask for informational meetings.  Follow up with thank you notes.

3. Target organizations and companies - do your research and put together a target list of places you would like to work. Make sure they know of your interest.  Send resumes.

4. Search the Internet - Look on sites like TrueCareers and others.  Look at sites in your field or that specialize in attorneys.

5. Consider temporary or contract work while you are looking.  Many of these jobs turn permanent and at least help your network and keep your skills fresh.  In your case contact those that specialize in attorney placement such as Robert Half Legal.

John, MN

Jasmine, MA

Make sure you are known at your school's Career Center. Many college students pass on this important step but it is the first stop employers make if they are looking to hire from your school.  They also have expert advice to help you through this process. 

Also, start organizing and planning your attack to the job market.  Zero in on where you want to work, what you want to do and what kind of company/organization you want to work for.

Get together a target list then of where you would like to interview. 

Now you are ready to really go full force in your search three to six months before you can actually start on the job.  So if you are graduating in June start going for interviews in the beginning of the year.

Good luck.

Dale, FL

I have applied to 65 companies in the Tampa Bay area. I have 20+ years experience in sales, and hands on computer experience. I started rebuilding computers back in the Dos 2.0 day.

Still, I have not received a reply or anything from the companies stating they received my resume. Are a lot of people having the same problem?

Dale, although I cannot speak to your specific market I can say that applying to a lot of companies and not hearing anything is not uncommon at all.  Unfortunately, many companies do not reply to all the applications they receive many times, due to the overwhelming response even though many experts say this is not a best practice.

The good news is it seems you have a target list of companies you want to work for.  Maybe you could try a different tactic to get noticed by companies?  Ask neighbors, friends, associates etc to walk your resume to hiring managers.  Be specific with the instructions that you are interested in getting a foot in the door and can make an positive impact here and there... Good luck and do not get discouraged!

Rene, TX

How do I come up with a list of accomplishments if I have never done anything on the job to make a huge impact such as saving the company a million dollars or something similar.  My background is financial reporting. The job is the same each month.  I have team lead/supervisory experience (max supervised is five people), systems exposure (participated in three system conversions), and have worked with various levels of management.  How do I come up with accomplishments?

Rene accomplishments can come in all different forms not just saving a company money directly or closing on a big sale.

Wow! Three systems conversions!  This is huge and I can only imagine it was a big impact on the effectiveness of the reporting and saved time and money and provided better reporting for senior management to make better decisions perhaps.

What about all those folks you supervised?  What about the impact you had on their career and how you developed them into the next leaders in your department perhaps?

Be sure to reflect on all of these accomplishments in the context of what you do and were tasked to do in your job. Accounting and financial people sometimes need some help on how to sell themselves and I want to be sure you are not selling yourself short!

Jasmine, MA

I would like some advice on phone interviews, as I plan to apply to jobs throughout the U.S.

Great question!  An overlooked skill and important part of the interview process.  Many times this is the very first impression an employer has of you!

Be upbeat.  Speak clearly.  You might even want to think about standing up when you are talking as you will sound more alert and clear many times (this is a tip used by many telesales professionals).

Try to have a specific time for the phone meeting.  If an employer catches you at a bad time, ask permission to call them back in five minutes so you can go to a quiet place. Make sure it is quiet!

Shanequa, SC

There are many sources of information on salary on the web but one site I really like is Salary.com and their salary calculators.  Here is a link to a great calculator that we have on our site:

http://truecareers.salary.com

Winkie, CA

Kimberley, NY

Ric, PA

If you are signing an employment contract at a high level position this is the appropriate time to address any severance component that may be in or added into the contract.

Many companies have a standard severance plans which if you feel is important could be explored by saying something such as:

With many layoffs and downsizing in the past I have found it helpful to understand what the severance plan is with companies I am considering working for. Can you share this policy with me?

Meredith, GA

Explaining reasons for an increase in your new salary can help to get the best offer for a new position.  Such as saying:

Although my salary was "X" in my last position I am seeking "Y" in my new role.  For the "Y" salary you will be hiring these excellent skills I have and I will be dedicated and show value for that higher investment in me.

If your last company was downsizing, had salary freezes, was having publicly known financial difficulties and so salary growth was limited - share this information too to help the new company considering you understand further some of the reasons you were "underpaid".

Joyce, NC

What is the best thing to put on your application if you were terminated from a job?

Joyce I am often asked this question and you will hear a theme throughout my chat about honesty. I know too many stories where folks "fudged" the truth on an application and then were fired over it.

So on applications, if possible, in the reason for leaving section put "explanation will be provided" and if given the chance in an interview - clearly, succinctly and briefly explain the situation surrounding your termination.

Tom, NJ

I accepted a re-organization package and took 8 months off from July of 2004 until the beginning of 2005.  However, I am finding recruiters being skeptical when speaking to them. How should I handle this situation?

Tom, how you explain the break is so important!  If you say something like "I have worked extremely hard in my career for x years.  I accepted a reorganization package from my last company and took that time to refresh and recharge my batteries.  I was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel, visit family (or whatever you did) and now I am primed, focused and ready to get back to work!  I am targeting jobs just like yours and after the time to reflect over the last eight months I am not going to stop my search until I land the right job - like yours - where I can focus all this new found energy I have.  The trips are done, I don't need any vacations, and I am ready to jump in with two feet!

What I am saying is explain to the employer why it is good for them!

Monica, CA

According to latest demographic trends, the Hispanic population in the US is in massive growth.  That said, and being a female Hispanic US citizen, why is it so difficult to find a job in today's market, despite having applied all of the rules of searching for the right job (resume building, networking, etc.)

Monica you are so right in your assessment of the growth of the Hispanic population. The good news is companies do recognize this - maybe not all - but definitely many.  And many are doing something about it and targeting diversity candidates for openings...if you visit our diversity center you will see some highlighted companies. Sign up for the diversity bulletin too as the hiring companies change frequently.

Finally, if you are applying all the rules of searching keep plugging at it.  No matter what it is still difficult to find a job and persistence is key.  Keep working the process and hopefully success will come sooner rather than later!

Cecelia Dwyer
President, TrueCareers