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ASK THE CAREER EXPERT

Thank you again for participating in our "Ask the Career Expert" interactive chat session today. We hope the information provided over the last hour proves to be useful for everyone. Additionally, I would like to thank Samer Hamadeh for serving as our expert today. If you haven't already, check out Vault.com.

Tune in next month, when Deborah Kroeger, Director of Process Management for Prudential, serves as our expert.
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 Click here to read past discussions!

Michelle, NY I have a Master of Science in Social Work and have one-and-a-half years experience as an Assistant Director in a major health care insurance company. I would like to leave my company, however I do not want to continue my professional life as a social worker. Rather, I would like to continue growing in management. How can I make myself more marketable and use my graduate degree to my benefit?  
Samer Hamadeh As I explained to Carole from PA, you should first talk to your bosses about taking on more managerial responsibility or getting trained in management. If you can spend the next 6 months doing budgets, managing a small P&L (ie, profit & loss statement), and managing 1-2 lower-level workers, you will go a long way toward either getting promoted at your current company or finding a new job that values your new-found talents in management.  
Yuliana, IL I recently quit a job where I invested a year-and-a-half. Let's just say that I left on bad terms with the owner of this law firm. Would it be best to exclude this job from my resume since it is likely a good reference will not be given?  
Samer Hamadeh

 

 Although it's difficult to say for sure without knowing more specifics about your situation, I'd generally advise you to list the job on your resume. If you don't, you'll have to explain what you've been doing for the past year-and-a-half which would require either 1) lying in your interview (definitely not a good idea!) or 2) explaining that you left the job off your resume, which looks worse than if you'd put it on in the first place. (And this is assuming you get to the interview stage, which is much less likely if your resume shows that you haven't worked in a year-and-a-half.)

Remember too that prospective employers will ask you for references; they won't just call previous employers. This means that you can provide references from a previous employer if applicable - providing references from two or three jobs ago is not uncommon. And if your previous position is your only work experience, you'll be able to explain the situation to your prospective employer during the interview.		  
Carole, PA I am happy with my job right now, however I do not feel challenged. I am unsure whether it would be wise to start looking for a higher level position in a big company. I am in the middle of my career, in a senior position and well recognized by management. What is the best strategy for me at this time? What are the things I need to consider in making my decision? Thanks.  
Samer Hamadeh In the career space, the grass is rarely greener on the other side, so looking for another position is probably not the answer... at least not yet. Have you met with your boss or your boss's boss and told him or her how you're feeling? An honest, insightful, very detailed approach is the prescription here. You need to explain what it would take to make you feel challenged, and what new or current initiatives you'd like to take on. Or you should apply for an open position in management that you think would challenge you. The point is - don't just sit there or run away.  
Verlee, KS What can I do to maintain faith and perseverance when applying to jobs, since I have received many rejection letters? I have applied to several jobs over the last three years and have not been offered a single position. I am very discouraged.  
Samer Hamadeh Take to heart the words of Paulo Coelho, one of Brazil's most famous novelists - "Success is falling down seven times and getting up eight." There is no way to persevere but to keep pushing and pushing and pushing. I remember one period my senior year in college when I received over 100 rejection letters and not one acceptance. I ended up figuring out a way to work for myself that year while doing an unpaid internship on the side. I have never looked back.  
PM, CA What is the average length of time it takes to receive an offer from a company and begin work? How long should one wait to receive an offer for a position?
Samer Hamadeh There is no hard and fast rule here. Some companies make an offer the day of your interview, and others take months and months, with no end in sight. Typically, the smaller companies move faster than the larger ones, but once again, I've seen small companies move like molasses, and large companies move swiftly. If you're getting impatient waiting for an offer, force the potential employer's hand. Call your contact there and indicate that you have another position that you're considering, and you need to make a decision on that one by next Wednesday. If they can't get back to you by that deadline, well then you have your answer, and you can move on.
Lisa, VA What are the most effective channels for someone to find a high level academic or research type position in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering? Additionally, how can I broaden my horizons by discovering good alternatives to research positions?
Samer Hamadeh Boy, that's a tough one. The academic and research environment is very cozy and insular, where connections and pedigree make an enormous difference. I assume that you have a PhD in computer science or EE because that's what it generally takes to get a high-level academic or research position in those subjects. If not, consider going into industry. Companies such as Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Microsoft, and hundreds of others love people with your background, especially women, because there are so few talented women entering the sciences and engineering.
Wharton, MO I am retired from the military. I went back to college to obtain a paralegal degree and earned a 3.89 GPA. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find employment as a Paralegal. I spoke with the Placement Director at the school I attended and I am registered on four career websites that send me job opportunities, but I still can't find a job. What else can I do to find a Paralegal job?
Samer Hamadeh If you're looking in the state of MO, that could be your problem. There aren't many mid-size to large law firms, the ones that hire the most paralegals, located in MO. Check out www.vault.com's Law Channel and www.martindale.com to make sure you have contacted every major MO law firm, but I hope that you're willing to relocate because I think that you should consider looking in the surrounding states, if not a little bit farther away.
Quanita, MS I recently graduated with a degree in Information Technology, but have not had any luck finding a job for a year. Could my problem be that I do not have a certification in IT? Do recruiters look at experience more than education?
Samer Hamadeh Recruiters look at a mix of both, but experience is the most important factor. Get a contract job in IT or do an IT internship... whatever it takes to get some actual, hands-on IT experience. Certificates can help, and you may want to consider taking some of those $500 courses to get certified in the field you're interested in - eg, Java programming, Oracle DBA, Cisco networking.
Joseph, VA What is the best way to become marketable in a career or profession, especially in such a competitive job market?
Samer Hamadeh That's a very broad and open question. But one thing's for sure: the first step to becoming marketable is to be as focused as possible on a specific career path so you know what skills and background you need to acquire. This means having a very clear understanding of where you want to go in your career. Vault career guides are a good place to start - they provide overviews of careers in everything from accounting to biotech to media. (It's important to note that it's not enough just to know what industry you want to work in - you need to have an understanding of the types of positions in that industry. For example, in advertising, you need to know whether you want to work in the "media planning," "account services," or "creative" departments. Vault's industry career guides provide overviews of the career paths in each industry.)

Once you've identified the career path for you, your goal will be to acquire as much experience as possible, which means: 1) starting with internships if necessary, 2) being aggressive about learning new skills once you've started a job (including volunteering to take on new responsibilities), and 3) knowing when it's best to leave a job if you find that you're not continuing to learn or add to your skill set and don't foresee being able to do so without finding a new employer. It's important to understand that "marketing" yourself is impossible without the requisite experience - employers are first and foremost looking for employees who can hit the ground running. Good luck!
Marcia, NJ I am considering a job change, which would require a substantial cut in salary. I am 61 years old and plan to work for another three or four years. If I take the lower paying position, my salary would decrease from a $111,000/yr to $71,000/yr. I currently work in a private not-for-profit company that is in upheaval, and is moving from the NY area to NC. I am more attracted to the lower paying job... It is in an area of great interest to me. Would it be foolish to choose the lower paying (government) job, which I anticipate would be lower stress and more rewarding than my current job, which is very stressful and not guaranteed?
Samer Hamadeh Work is definitely not entirely about money, so other factors - lower stress, more fun environment, passionate work subject - count big-time for deciding where to work. The $40k paycut is quite sizable, so this decision will not be an easy one for you. Write out the pros and cons of each job and also create a budget of your monthly expenses to see if $71k will even cut it. Based on those lists, then decide. If you still can't make a decision, I often try the following trick - have a friend or family member come over with a quarter and tell him or her that if heads comes up, you stay at your current job, and if tails comes up, you leave and take the other job. Your reaction and the feeling in your heart upon seeing on which side the coin has landed often tells you what to do.
William, TN What's the best way to deal with employees who are difficult? Are there any warning signs?
Samer Hamadeh There are warning signs, and they usually make themselves known early on - taking a few sick days the first month or two, disappearing from the office at odd hours, making too many personal calls, showing up late. The best way to deal with difficult employees is not to hire them in the first place, which means that thorough reference checking is important. And it's not enough simply to call the references that the potential employee provides you. Ask those references for others at the company who worked with your target. Those references are usually much more illuminating. After hiring has occurred, the best way is to set expectations (written if you have to) right from the get-go, before problems even occur. Then if difficulties do occur, you have a meeting as quickly as possible, and warn the employee in writing. HR is going to need that paper trail should you decide to fire the employee. The key is to act swiftly and decisively.
Kera, PA I am currently working on my B.A. in Criminal Justice and already have an Associate's degree. All I have to offer an employer is my education and personal experience. What should I do to get noticed when everyone keeps turning me down because I do not have experience in criminal justice? I work full time and attend online classes at night. Further, I do not have time to volunteer to get experience. I am desperately looking for something in my field, but no one will give me a chance. What should I do?
Samer Hamadeh Internships! These days, over 90% of all college students do at least one internship by the time they graduate, so you're at a severe disadvantage if you don't have at least one under your belt. In criminal justice, it's hard to find a paying internship, but there are absolutely terrific criminal justice internships that will ultimately land you a permanent job in your field. Check out Georgetown University Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic (www.law.georgetown.edu/clinics/cjc/iip.html) and Connecticut Judicial Branch (www.jud.state.ct.us) and Public Defender Service for DC (www.pdsdc.org).
Robert, OR I have more than 22 years of military experience (training, leadership, and personnel management) with a B.A.S. degree in Human Resource Management. How can I convince an organization to give my talents a chance?
Samer Hamadeh Especially since 9/11, many organizations want to hire former military personnel. Check out www.military.com, owned by www.monster.com, for job postings specifically targeting people with your background.
Amy, GA How do I find out if my current salary is competitive in my field?
Samer Hamadeh That's easy - the Internet! At www.vault.com, we've got lots of salary data organized by company, industry, function, and city. You can also check out www.salary.com and www.payscale.com for salary data. Most of these sites will charge you money to get detailed data, but it's usually worth it.
David, CA I owned a Quizno's Subs franchise for a few years. I sold it in December 2004. I have been job hunting since, but have not landed anything yet. On every job interview that I have been on since selling my franchise, I have been asked "What have you been doing since then?" How should I respond? I have been looking for work, and even signed up with career counselors and temp agencies, but I haven't had any luck finding a position. What should I tell potential employers now that I have been looking for a job for close to a year?
Samer Hamadeh Don't tell them that you've been looking for a job for a year! Seriously, if you sold your Quizno's Subs franchise, you should be able plausibly to tell potential employers that you worked hard for a few years; learned a ton about business, accounting, marketing, managing, hiring, and all of the other functions that would make you a great employee; and took several months off to recharge and reflect. Starting a couple of months ago, you began looking for work.
Alise, WA For five years I worked as an entry-level marketing writer in New York City. When I came home to Seattle in 2000, I couldn't find a job and took a secretarial position. Now I am trapped in a profession that is low-status, boring, and poorly compensated. How can I move back into marketing after being away for so long?
Samer Hamadeh Well, there are a few ways - 1) temp as a marketing assistant, and unlike Christine from IL's experience, many temp jobs often turn into permanent jobs; 2) take some marketing courses at your local school of continuing education and show that you have new skills; 3) contact some of your old employers and clients in New York City to ask them for referrals in the Seattle area; and 4) join a local marketing or business group, as many cities have business or marketing networking organizations that help people like you transition back into the workplace.
Christine, IL Many employers do not want to consider me because of all the temp work shown on my resume. How should I present my resume when I have only temped for the last four years?
Samer Hamadeh You don't have to describe your positions as "temp." If you served as a temp marketing consultant at Merrill Lynch, for example, you can list that work as "marketing consultant" or "marketing assistant" or some other suitable title at Merrill Lynch and not indicate that your actual employer was "Temps R Us." If the interviewer probes, you can't lie of course, so indicate that you were hired through a temp agency, but if you can describe substantive work and your ability to get the job done on time, with minimal to no errors, then employers will consider you.
Marie, CA Why can't I find a job? I have a B.S. degree in Business Administration, worked for a major telecommunications company for 15 years, and I have continuously looked for a job since 2004, but have not had any luck finding a suitable position. My current title is HR Manager. I have been working for a small Construction Management firm for three years. I am attempting to return to school to get a certificate in Human Resources. My plan is to take the PHR exam after I complete the certificate program. Hopefully this will make me more marketable. Additionally, I am half way through completing my MBA. What am I doing wrong?
Samer Hamadeh You're not doing anything wrong per se. For one, HR positions have been hard to come by since the 2001 recession. Become a member of the Society for Human Resources Professionals (known as SHRM and pronounced "Sherm"), at http://www.shrm.org, and check out the SHRM job board as well as network with those members to find open HR positions. You also mentioned that you're getting your MBA. An MBA can serve as an excellent transition to a completely different field, and you should use your MBA program's career center to interview with MBA employers on campus. Also, many MBA programs have HR classes, career clubs, and even concentrations. These can be a good place to talk to and network with other students (and professors) who might have valuable information about the types of positions you're most interested in. Continue to be tenacious, and you will ultimately be rewarded.
Adele, IN I have a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Engineering Technology and Systems Management. I have a Master's degree in Business Administration. I want to change careers and utilize my MBA in the field of Marketing/Advertising, but I do not know where to start? I would like to locate headhunters to assist me in my job search/relocation. I would like to relocate to one of the following states: Georgia, Texas, Nevada, Virginia or the Carolinas. Please advise.
Samer Hamadeh You didn't say from what school you received your MBA, but a good place to start is the career office and alumni association at your business school. Through the school's alumni network, you can contact fellow alums currently in the marketing/advertising field who will likely be able to provide good advice and more contacts. There are numerous regional employers in and around Indiana who seek Indiana MBAs, perhaps even for their offices in the states you desire. Also check out my site, www.vault.com, as well as www.truecareers.com, for employer profiles and job postings from those states. Lastly, check out http://www.mengonline.com, a really good site for marketing professionals. With respect to your comment about headhunters, if you're switching careers, headhunters are not likely to be of much help, since they typically work with professionals who have experience in a given industry and are looking to move within that industry. Your business school's alumni association is the best place to start.
Ty, NJ I have been out of the job market for some time now (four years) since I went back to school for a Master's degree. I am currently working to complete my Doctorate. I'm 47 and look maybe 37. However, I find that many employers are disturbed that I do not work, even though it is substantiated by my Columbia degree. When they do the math to calculate my age, employers wonder why I would take a risk at my age. I provide a good response to this issue, however employers still aren't biting. Any suggestions?
Samer Hamadeh There is certainly a bias in our country against workers over 40, which is why our labor laws do not allow an employer to discriminate against potential employees older than 40. Of course, it's easier said than done. For one, you must craft your resume so that the potential employer cannot calculate your age, especially if you "look maybe 37." Do not indicate your graduation year from college on your resume and then list your jobs starting with the job you had beginning in 1989 or 1990. That fix, plus your "good response" to this issue and a very high energy level, should yield better results.
   

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