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Juan, NC	I just got out of the Army. Can you give me tips on how to land a civilian job? I am having a difficult time doing this.
Peter Weddle	As a veteran, myself, I know that making this transition can be tough. Here are a couple of suggestions: - Use job boards that focus on serving transitioning veterans. These include VetJobs.com and Vets4Hire.com - Join the local chapters of two kinds of associations: those for veterans and those for people in your occupational field. For a list of associations, visit this area of my Web-site: http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm. Attend the meeting of these organizations regularly to build up your range of contacts and get the word out that you're looking for a job. - Network with buddies from the service and from your hometown, even if you're no longer living there. Many jobs are never advertised, but are filled by word of mouth, so invest a little time every day in expanding your list of acquaintances and making contact with them. I hope that's helpful...and thank you for your service to our country.
Kate, OK	In my job search I try to find out the e-mail for the HR manager, rather than submitting my resume online, to send it directly to him/her in order to get more response. But it still doesn't seem to work out as well as it should. Am I supposed to change the search strategy? What would you advise?
Peter Weddle	I suggest that you use what I call the "Application 2-Step." Basically, you have to recognize that every application is first and foremost a test: it's designed to see if you can follow directions. So, the first step is to do exactly as you're asked in the job advertisement. If the ad says send in your resume online, then do so. If it says send it via the mail, then do that. The second step is similar to what you've been doing with a slight twist. Your instincts are correct; you want to bring your resume to the attention of the HR manager/recruiter, but the way to do that is not by sending them your resume. Instead, as soon as you've finished the first step, start networking to find someone you know or know of in the organization. It can be a friend or even someone in the same professional association as you. As I mentioned in an earlier response, the key is to ask them to walk your resume in the door and lay it on the recruiter's desk. That kind of employee referral is the best way to get your resume and you noticed.
Brandon, CA	How do employers view candidates who have been managing their own business for years and decide to reenter the workplace? Are there certain things you should highlight or leave out on the resume?
Peter Weddle	I think running your own business can be a positive differentiator for you, at least with certain kinds of employers. At a minimum, your experience shows you have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as initiative and are willing to take a risk. Those qualities aren't found in everyone, and they're especially valued by start-ups and rapidly growing enterprises as well as by the sales functions in even the most established organizations. So, my advice would be to cite your personal business experience on your resume, but focus its presentation on the skills that you demonstrated and/or acquired that would be helpful to those kinds of employers.
Andrea, AL	I am currently employed at a company full time. I am happy with the work that I am doing and my performance, but my supervisor is a tyrant and I am uncomfortable working under him. I am seeking a job somewhere else. What do I say during an interview when asked why I am considering leaving my job? I can't bash my supervisor nor do I want him to know that I am looking for another position. If it weren't for him I could stay another 30 years!
Peter Weddle	First, I suggest your discuss your situation with the HR Department. If you're happy with the company and the work you do there, it would be worth the effort to see if there is somewhere else in the organization that you could work. If that strategy isn't successful, then it is, of course, appropriate to launch your job search. You needn't discuss your plans with either the HR Department or your supervisor. (The only exception to that rule is if you and your supervisor were on excellent terms-say they had been a mentor for you-then, it would be appropriate to give them some lead time to react to your impending departure. Since that is not the case here, no early notice is necessary). When you are invited in for interviews and asked about your reasons for leaving, do not get into a discussion of your unhappiness with your supervisor. "Bad-mouthing" former employers or managers almost always makes other employers and hiring managers nervous-they wonder what you might say about them, should you leave their employ at some point in the future. Focus, instead, on what you hope to accomplish in a new position and how that will be important to you and to the employer.
Darcy, MN	How can I find out my industry's salary range?
Peter Weddle	The best way to find an industry's salary range is through its trade association if it has one. If it doesn't, you might check with the professional society for your field of work and see if its salary surveys are broken down by industry. Finally, if all else fails, you might check the site Salary.com, which provides general salary information for free for a wide range of occupations and industries. Detailed salary information is also available for a fee.
Deborah, WA	What is the best way to present yourself to an employer when you have the education but no experience?
Peter Weddle	The best way to present yourself in this situation is with a resume that leads with your strength. In other words, instead of putting the Education section on your resume in its traditional spot at the end of that document, I suggest that you put it right up front where it's the first thing the recruiter will see. In addition, include a Summary of Qualifications section at the top of your resume (even before your Education section) where you use bullets to list the key areas of knowledge that you acquired in your education. Be as specific as possible because you're trying to convince the recruiter that your access to state-of-the-art know-how compensates for your lack of experience. Finally, make sure that you apply for positions where you have a genuine chance of succeeding. These should be openings where knowledge is at least as important as experience and, hopefully, more. In most cases, of course, these would be entry-level opportunities.
Ruth, OH	The last company I worked for moved their headquarters to India. I have been without a job for over a year now. Although, I have a B. S. degree in Accounting and have sent out hundreds of resumes and applications, I have not received one telephone call. I am 58 years old. I feel that my age is hurting me find new employment. Is there anything I can do to find another job?
Peter Weddle	I suggest that you practice the Application Two-Step. Here's what I mean. Step 1. Applying for a job and sending out a resume is only the first half of what you must do to get a shot at an interview. Recruiters are swamped with resumes these days and often don't have the time or the resources to evaluate all of them effectively. For that reason, you need to supplement your application with a second step: networking. Step 2. Start working your list of contacts from previous jobs, professional groups of which you are a member, and social activities. You're looking for one or both of two kinds of people: - Someone who works for the company that you know - Someone who works for the company and is also a member of an organization in which you are also a member. The goal is to have them walk your resume in the door of the HR Department and put it on the desk of the recruiter that is handling the job you want. They'll probably be more than happy to do so as they will be paid a referral bonus if you're hired, and the recruiter will be happy to get the resume because they believe that employee referrals make the best employees.
Adrian, CA	If an applicant was given a second and final interview, but did not receive any communication for a couple of weeks, would it be appropriate to contact the company to express a continued interest in the position or assume that the candidate was not selected?
Peter Weddle	Yes, it is perfectly acceptable for you to contact the employer if it's been a couple of weeks since your final interview and you haven't heard anything from the employer (shame on them). The key is to conduct the contact in an appropriate way. I suggest that, if you can, you call the hiring manager, not the HR Department. I've found that you'll often get a more candid answer that way. When you reach the person on the telephone, use a pleasant, non-confrontational tone of voice to indicate that you're still very interested in the opening, that some time has passed since the interview, and that you were checking to see if a decision had been made on the selection of a candidate. - If the decision is still pending, thank them for their time and hang up-don't drag them into another mini interview session or try to re-sell yourself. - If the decision has been made and it's you, thank them for the good news and hang up-do your celebrating with your family. - And if the decision has been made and it's not you, tell them that you appreciated their consideration and hang up-don't burn your bridges behind you with any kind of a negative remark.
John, VA	Why are companies relying on personality testing, background checking, and credit testing so heavily now?
Peter Weddle	Employers are increasingly using personality tests because the research shows that the #1 reason people don't work out once they're hired is not because they can't do a job, but because they don't fit in. In other words, every organization has its own particular culture, and some people will feel comfortable and thrive in any given organization's culture while others will not. The tests, therefore, help both the employer and the job seeker get the fit right. Background and credit checks are used more frequently because the incidence of employee theft and disruptive behavior is, unfortunately, on the rise. Employees rightfully assume that their employer is providing a safe environment in which to work, and one of the ways that employers do that is by making sure that all of the people in the workplace can be expected to behave in an honest and appropriate way.
Russ, NY	What's the best way to land a job? Networking, Internet Ads, Recruiter, etc.?
Peter Weddle	Great question. Unfortunately, however, there is no one "best" way to find a job. The most successful job searches employ a variety of techniques including all of those you've listed. My company recently did a Source of Employment survey on our website in which we asked visitors where they found their last job. The top five responses in order were: - Internet job board - Headhunter - Networking - Employee referral - Newspaper ad It's also important to recognize that you can do some of the old fashioned techniques in a new way. For example, while you should definitely continue to network face-to-face, you can now also network online...in your fuzzy slippers and with a glass of wine in your hand. The key is to expand the number of people who know you. You do that by participating in the discussion forums and listservs at the websites of your: - Professional association, - Alumni organization, and/or - Affinity group (e.g., veterans group, sporting organization)
Robert, MI	For someone seeking an entry to mid-level position without a specific career field in mind, which online employment site would prove most successful for finding a job, locally?
Peter Weddle	Unfortunately, at least in the eyes of employers, there's a big difference between entry-level and mid-level positions, so it's important that you first assess what you are, in fact, qualified for. While it depends on your field, I think you could probably compete successfully for a mid-level position with 10 or more years of experience. Once you know the position level for which you're competitive in your field, you can then begin your search for an appropriate employment site. There are 40,000 such sites, however, and new ones launch all of the time. For local jobs, I suggest you check the online listings at the website of your local newspaper and such sites as: - EmploymentGuide.com - craigslist.com - RegionalHelpWanted.com. And, of course, don't forget to check the job listings at TrueCareers. For additional information, you might also want to check out the annual guides to employment sites that my company publishes. You can find information about them here: http://www.weddles.com/jobcatalog.htm.
Deb, PA	What should I include and where should I list salary requirements?
Peter Weddle	If by "include" and "list," you mean on your resume, it's never appropriate to mention your current salary or a salary requirement on that document. The time for a discussion of salary is after you've sold yourself to the prospective employer. If you've done that well, the discussion of salary will go much more smoothly and in the direction you want.
Patricia, TX	I am looking for a job and am having trouble finding one. I am a Junior at the University of Phoenix. I am working on a Bachelor of Science in Business/Management. I would like a professional career in an office environment. Can you give me tips on how to find a job or how to prepare myself to find a job when I have my degree?
Peter Weddle	I suggest that you work with the Career Center at your educational institution to find an internship with a business in your area during the upcoming summer. That's probably the single best way to give an employer a sense of the contribution you would make as a full time employee. In addition, see if your Department has an alumni organization that you might reach out to for an internship and/or for informational interviews. It's also important to recognize that many jobs are never advertised; they are filled by networking. So, sit down and draw up a list of everyone you know in the workplace-they might be former high school classmates, people with whom you share a hobby, or even someone you met through your parents or friends. Then, methodically work your way down that list, connecting with every person by phone, e-mail or regular mail. Don't approach them about giving you a job; instead, indicate that you just wanted them to know that you're in the job market and then give them a copy of your resume. In most cases, if they have a job opening or know of one, they'll let you know right away.
Nancy, OK	I have a Master's degree in Human Resources and two years experience as an HR assistant. Is it possible for me to obtain a higher level HR position? Most job ads seek 10+ years experience.
Peter Weddle	Perhaps the best way to reach higher up into the HR profession would be to target your job search at smaller companies. There, your degree might carry more weight and your background in HR administrative matters might also be a plus. A smaller employer would give you a chance to get experience in a wide range of HR functions and thereby burnish your credentials for a job with a larger firm and make you competitive well before you reach that 10 year mark. Also, don't forget to build up your network of contacts among HR colleagues in your area. Participate in local HR professional organizations and in the alumni organization at the institution where you received your Masters. Make sure you attend the meetings regularly and, if you get the chance, volunteer to work on a committee or program to increase your visibility.
Albert, TX	What makes a very good resume? Show me an example if you can. Thank You.
Peter Weddle	Whole books are written on this topic, of course, so I'll only be able to cover a couple of what I consider to be the most important points in writing a great resume. First, a resume describes two things, not one. Most people think it's a description of what they've done at work, and it's certainly that. But, to do its job-and the job of a resume is to get you an interview so you can get the job you want-it has to describe what you did and how well you did it. A resume is not an autobiography; it's a sales document, and to be effective it has to sell you. Second, employers believe that the best indicator of the caliber of a person's future work is the caliber of their work in the past, so describing your accomplishments is a key feature of your resume. For maximum impact, they should be listed as separate bullets under each job you've had and, wherever possible, expressed in quantitative terms. For example: Introduced new contact management system that expanded sales by 15% in my region. Finally, it's important to realize that many employers will now scan your resume into a computerized database for storage. Scanners, however, are notoriously fickle machines, so it's important that you adjust the format of your resume to ensure it's accurately "read" by the machine. Here are some tips: - Always produce your resume with black ink on white paper. - Always use a font size of 11 points or larger. - Avoid font styles with serifs; use Arial or Verdana instead. I hope that helps!
Brian, NC	What advice can you give when it comes to preparing for an interview?
Peter Weddle	The keys to preparing for an interview are researching and rehearsing. Researching. Make sure that you do your homework on the organization so that you understand, as best you can, what it does, how it does it, what challenges it faces and what successes and problems it has had. You should, of course, spend some time on the organization's website. Then, do a browser search with the company's name to see what others (e.g., business analysts, magazine or newspaper writers) have said about the organization. Finally, check out two other sources that can help you get ready: - WetFeet.com, where you can see the interview questions that are likely to be used by many employers, and - Vault.com, where the "electronic watercooler" will give you "the other side of the story" from all of the good news you get at the corporate career site. Rehearsing. Practice your answers out loud to the following questions. They're unlikely to be the exact questions you'll get in your interview, but they will enable you to get comfortable talking about the kind of subjects that will inevitably come up. The goal is to be clear, concise and complete in your answers. - Why do you think you would be the best person for this job? - What have you done in previous jobs that would enable you to hit the ground running in this one? - What kind of challenges did you face in your last job and how did you overcome them? - What successes did you have in your last job and how did you accomplish them?
Roshni, MI	I am a 50 year young woman who retired from the Education Profession after 25 years. Since then I went back to school and earned an MBA in Human Resources. I am trying to change my career. No one is hiring me. What should I do?
Peter Weddle	Hi Roshni- First, it's important to make sure that you're applying for the right level of job. Even though you have lots of work experience in Education, you are a first-time job seeker in the HR field. I understand that reality may be hard to accept, but from an employer's perspective, you are only qualified to apply for entry-level jobs. There is, however, one exception to that rule: given your background in education, you may be able to position yourself as a mid-career professional in the training and development function of an HR Department. It may not be where you ultimately want to end up, but it will, at least, get you in the door. Also, remember that HR people are generally very social. Make sure that you join the local chapter of any professional HR associations in your area and attend their meetings regularly. It's a great way to expand your range of contacts and network with others in HR who may have jobs to fill.
Frances, IL	I have been unemployed since October 2004 and have been pursuing my Master's degree in Information Systems on a full time basis since then. I will graduate next month. Although, I have spent eight years in the technology field, I am having a hard time in finding employment in this area. How do I explain this gap in my employment, and how do I make a transition back into this field?
Peter Weddle	This is a great question because it underscores the importance of perception...yours as well as employers. In a field that values up-to-the-minute skills such as Information Technology, taking time off to pursue advanced schooling is not a gap but an investment. In essence, you invested your own time and money (so an employer wouldn't have to) in order to enhance the caliber of contribution you can make to an organization. If you see your time in school that way, then it will be easier for you to explain the situation in a positive light to a prospective employer. Also, make sure that your resume reflects the additional knowledge and skills you have acquired. Start the document with a Summary section that lists the most important areas you studied for the kind of job you're trying to obtain. Then lead off the experience section with a description of the course work, special projects, and internships you had in school, just as if you were employed during that period. When you do that, you're leading with your strength-your up-to-date knowledge-and signaling to the recruiter that the time in school wasn't a gap, but a time when you gained important knowledge and capabilities.
Lloyd, NJ	I am a 55-year-old, with more than 20 years of corporate finance & accounting experience, seeking a non-managerial position in operations finance/financial management. Would you suggest a few [or a source of] potential employers who are not afraid to hire someone with my experience at a non-executive/manager level?
Peter Weddle	I would suggest that you check a couple of sources: - The professional associations at the national level in your field. Check their job databases for non-supervisory positions requiring lots of experience. In your field, for example, the whole support infrastructure to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley is creating a lot of openings that require in-depth expertise in very technical areas of finance and accounting. Also use the message boards and discussion areas on the associations' websites (and/or attend their annual meetings) to network with your peers. - Similarly, join the local or regional chapters of these associations and attend their meetings regularly to build up your range of contacts. Many of these groups set aside some time at these meetings for those in transition to introduce themselves and describe their area(s) of expertise. As to employers that might not be afraid to hire those with considerable experience in a non-supervisory role, you might check to see which organizations are advertising openings at employment sites that focus on "mature workers". Here are several you can check: - Seniors4Hire.org - AARP (in conjunction with Monster.com) - DiversityWorking.com (Mature Workers Channel) Good luck!
Lori, IN	I am currently enrolled in college and working to earn my Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Management. I have 15 years experience in my field. Can apply for jobs that require a BS degree with the promise of finishing my coursework?
Peter Weddle	Thanks for your question. If you are in your senior year or within one year of graduating, then yes, it is absolutely appropriate to apply for a job requiring a BS degree. However, it's very important that you be honest about your exact status. Therefore, in the Education section on your resume, list your college and degree followed by (Expected, 2005 or whatever the appropriate date might be). If you're not within a year of graduating, I would suggest that you approach employers that are advertising jobs requiring a BS degree and see if they are interested in hiring you on a contract or contingent basis. Point out that you have 15 years of work experience and you are pursuing your BS degree, so you potentially bring a lot more to the table than someone who's just leaving college for the first time. Hiring you on a contract or contingent basis is a no-risk way for them to try you out. Not every employer will be comfortable with this approach, but it's worth a shot.

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