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ASK THE CAREER EXPERT

Good morning! Thank you for participating in our "Ask The Expert" interactive chat session. Our host today is Martita Mestey, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at iHispano.com. Martita is responsible for managing partnerships, which power career centers for some of today's top Hispanic organizations including the National Society of Hispanic MBA's, the National Hispanic Business Association, Latina Style Magazine, and Telemundo Television in each of its major markets. Prior to joining iHispano, Martita headed up the diversity search practice of David Gomez & Associates. Her executive search experience spans multiple industries, specializing in diversity and bilingual positions.

During the next hour, we will answer as many questions as possible. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question in advance. If you have a question that you have not sent us, please feel free to do so during this hour. Let's get things started!

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Graham, NY	I have a lengthy gap in my employment record back in 2004 and the first part of 2005. I work in a technical professional field, however, during much of the time I was away, I spent it working on a political campaign. I then spent several months of just "decompressing." I do not want to reveal that I was working on a political campaign, because it may concern a potential employer and/or invite additional questions (e.g. whose campaign?). However, a recruiter recently was insistent on knowing what I had been doing during the gap, and was not satisfied with the answer "I was pursuing some personal interests." So, I explained that I was working in politics, to which the follow up question was "In what capacity?" Fortunately, there were no inquiries into whose side I was on, but I still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Is there a better way to deal with an employer or recruiter that insists on knowing what you were doing while "pursuing some personal interests" without turning them off by saying "sorry that's confidential."
Ms. Mestey	My suggestion is to add the political campaign information (leaving out the details of the represented party) to your resume and add the information about your resume gap to your cover letter. I understand the question "in what capacity?" and have asked this myself on occasion to understand what skills this individual developed during this particular leave from work. Your answer could be anywhere from "I ran the campaign" to "I ran the fundraising portion of the campaign". Regardless of your answers working on any campaign speaks to your ability to work within a team, your people skills, your tenacity and your ability to be diplomatic in a potentially uncomfortable situation as the discussion of politics is rarely a good subject. I can't say that an employer will not pry depending upon the comfort level of the conversation, but it is up to you to maintain your professionalism with charm and grace. It would be better to be in the position to say that you prefer not to reveal your political status than to say that you were pursuing some personal interests or that you would prefer to keep the whole thing confidential. Therefore, leaving the recruiter/employer to question your actions during that period.
Angela, NC	I have more than 10 years experience as a Social worker in various fields (NH, Hospital, Private sector, county gov). I have a BA in Sociology and currently completing my last two classes to get my MBA/ Healthcare management. My question is, how do I go about getting into the HR field (employee relations, benefits, etc) without going further with getting HR certification. I feel that I have more than enough education to qualify for the jobs that I am applying for. The minimum in the job description is a four year degree and experience with different levels of management and employees (people skills). Help and thank you in advance.
Ms. Mestey	Create an HR skill set from your job as a social worker and include it in your resume and cover letter. Human Resources is the business of people and you have had plenty of experience working with people, so this shouldn't be that hard. Begin with the industries where you already have experience, like Healthcare, where there are only two-three HR people to a staff of 300 and they are willing to give someone with the proper skill set a chance.
Aimee, CA	How important is the cover letter? What kinds of things do you look for in an application/resume/cover letter that would motivate you to ask for an interview?
Ms. Mestey	A cover letter is the first impression. It speaks to your ability to articulate your duties on paper and gives the employer a sense of your written communication skills. Leadership, teamwork and understanding of the business to which you are applying to are just a few things that an employer seeks to find in your cover letter. It also helps to give a brief description of your interests, skills and qualifications. Keep the cover letter brief, but detailed. Above all, check your spelling on any document you submit for application purposes.
Jegede, Nigeria	My family and I are about to move to America through the DV Lottery program. We are worried about finding jobs to take care of ourselves and our family. I have a University degree in Graphic Design, while my wife is a Technician . . . she worked in Instrument Maintenance in a Technical College in Nigeria. How can we reconcile our educational qualifications and experience with the American environment to be able to fit in and get job within a reasonable time? Please advise. Thanks.
Ms. Mestey	The great thing about Graphic Design is that you can do it very well as a free-lancer. Take on a consulting engagement or free-lance project - this will enhance your skills and create a work reference for you. Since you are not familiar with too many people in your field, I would suggest you join an affinity or networking group immediately. For Graphic Design, a prominent organization is AIGI. You can find them online at www.aiga.org. Keep building your network of professional contacts and become an active participant in organizations, who attract companies that are of interest to you. Those professional contacts will ultimately move on to new positions, therefore increasing your network reach.
Amy, IN	I am desperate to get out of my current position. What is the best way to get a quality job, as soon as possible? I am looking into banking.
Ms. Mestey	There is no quick way to find a quality job. I would suggest you network as much as possible. Let people know you are looking for a job and hope to get recommended for an interview. Banking is a good start and any other industry that will allow you to work from the ground up to a great job or career. Do not discuss your current desperation with a potential employer.
Shawanna, OH	How do you handle background check issues when you have a misdemeanor/felony on your record from more than 10 years ago that you fully disclosed?
Ms. Mestey	Continue to disclose this information to potential employers. Employers are only allowed to deny you if the offense is directly job related or if your criminal record indicates that you may be a threat to people or property.
Fatou, GA	I have an MBA in Finance. I was recently contacted by an employer who found my resume online. I have taken a series of online tests for them, which I passed. Now they are going to pull my credit report. I have about three previous medical charges that I recently paid in full, which are reflected as paid in full on my credit. Additionally, some of the other accounts such as mortgages & car loans I fell behind on in the past, but everything on my credit is paid in full, except student loans which are deferred. From a range of A to E, I would say my rating is C or better. Please, can you tell me what employers look for when they pull an applicant's credit report?
Ms. Mestey	In general, reports tend to be pulled in positions where you're working directly with money. This may be the case for you because you are in the financial field. Now that you are aware that your credit report is being pulled, take the opportunity to explain that your credit isn't as clean as you'd like it to be, but that you've taken responsibility for your actions and are on the road to financial recovery.
Al, VA	I have resigned (not quit) from my position as a college professor, and plan to go solo. I am designing my own teacher-training program, which I hope to market to school systems. Any advice on who and how to approach? I have excellent academic (Ph.D.) and work (business and education credentials) experience.
Ms. Mestey	I would begin researching education software companies and approach all of them. Similar to seeking a publisher for a book, do not get discouraged if the first few are not interested. Take notes in every meeting and perfect your program with each encounter. These conversations will be invaluable to you.
Alec, PA	I am looking into bilingual (Spanish/English) positions. I am not FULLY fluent in writing, reading, and speaking Spanish, but close. How do I present my language skills to an employer?
Ms. Mestey	Three categories often used when describing language skills are Fluent, Proficient and Knowledgeable. Think carefully about your level of proficiency. Do not overrate your skills as you may be asked to demonstrate your language ability during an interview.
TJ, PA	I am in the process of leaving my current job and have not yet found a new job. I am leaving my current job due to philosophical disagreements with my management and increasing dissatisfaction with my job duties and situation. As I continue my job search, I am concerned that prospective employers will be concerned about motivation or reasons why I left my last job (i.e. were you fired or asked to leave? For me, this is not the case). How should I address this concern? Thank you for your time.
Ms. Mestey	I can understand how difficult it might be to disagree with an employer's philosophy, but this may be the case anywhere you go - you may want to research the CEO's current initiatives or the mission statement of the company prior to applying. Dissatisfaction with your job duties is something that you may not be able to control and I agree that it might be time for you to move on. Do not share dissatisfaction of your current employer with your potential employer, no matter how comfortable you become during the interview process - it is never appropriate. Some suggestions could be to focus on your current interests when explaining your leave or explain that your work-load did not allow you to find the job you really dreamed of having. Ultimately, it is much easier to find a job when you have a job, so consider thoroughly your decision to leave your job before you have something lined up.
Porsha, MI	I am a Legal Studies major. I thought I wanted to go to Law school, but I am not sure I want to do that anymore. I know I want to go to grad school, but I do not know what would go well with my Legal Studies major to have a successful career. What graduate classes should I take and what career options do I have other than a lawyer or paralegal?
Ms. Mestey	Legal Studies is a program used to prepare you to apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing and directing. In my opinion, you have several industries to choose from including police departments, forensic science, law enforcement divisions and units, private protective services, non-profit organizations and healthcare. Take a look at some of these, if any are of interest, take the appropriate graduate classes.
Gwendolyn, MI	In my current job, I work three days a week while going to school. I am 22 credits away from earning my Bachelor of Science degree. What type of work would you suggest to someone like me, who needs to maintain a living while going to school?
Ms. Mestey	It is always best if you can get work in your major or field of interest. The type of work is not as important as long as the company is one that is willing to promote from within. With only 22 credits left to complete your Bachelor's, be realistic with yourself and your employer. Based on the amount of hours you work, let them know the potential date of completion.
Penny, AZ	What is the best way to explain a gap in employment? My spouse took a severance package when his job was eliminated due to merger. Then, while looking for another job, he had two knee surgeries and was out of work for seven months. Please help. I am revising his resume for his job hunt.
Ms. Mestey	Focus his resume and cover letter on his strengths and not weaknesses. Expose the employer to the rich experiences he has had in each job and use his cover letter to describe his work ethic, tenacity and successes. Ultimately, tell him to be flexible. The more flexible you are about the location, hours and job title of your next job, the more you will expose yourself to new opportunities and experiences.
Angela, MA	I am looking to relocate to the Virginia area and wonder how I should go about looking for a job. I have a graduate degree in business, however, I have worked in the human service field for the past eight years in administration. I was told companies usually don't pay relocation expenses for someone with my background. Is this true? Also, in my line of work companies have to hire quickly therefore I will be at a disadvantage since I live in another state. Where do I start? Should I go to VA and spend a couple of weeks and hope I get an interview? Should I continue to send out my resume and if I am asked to interview, plan interviews in a specific block of time? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Ms. Mestey	It is difficult to say whether an employer will or will not pay a relocation fee, it all depends on the desperation to fill the position. Although, you will be more attractive to the employer if you are willing to relocate yourself to the area. Research all the career fairs and register with the job boards and recruitment agencies in the general area. You're on the right track, employers are more likely to set up an interview with you if you are in the area. You will have to take a more proactive approach to your job search and job boards might be the quickest route to find out what companies are hiring in your preferred area.
John, TX	My job has a 75% chance of being outsourced! I've been working as a Senior Database Developer for two years now. Even though I love my job, this is not a career for me. I have an undergraduate degree in Marketing and a graduate degree in MIS. It's time for me to merge the two talents for a career in business, but to be perfectly honest I don't know where my talents would be most effectively used. I would like to earn a nice income while having some stability. Do I need to go back to school for an MBA to persuade employers to look at my resume? Is there a specific field in Marketing that would be easier to enter with my recently acquired skills? How can I make this transition? I have a great personality, winning attitude, strong communication skills, and great talents in manipulating data to gain valuable information. My only problem is I don't know what field to apply these talents. Most companies in marketing require a great deal of experience, specific to the industry.
Ms. Mestey	Be proactive, the tight job market over the last couple of years has decreased the amount of time anyone might have had to secure a good position. If you are interested in getting your MBA, do it when you are ready; meanwhile, it doesn't seem necessary for what you are trying to accomplish. A happy marriage between Technology and Marketing can be found in several industries and mainly in industries focused on the web or heavily concentrated on their website. You clearly have a lot of confidence in your talents and skills and I can imagine that this is eminent in an interview. Forget what you know about Marketing jobs and confide in these skills you have developed, certain employers recognize passion and a willingness to learn and will consider a less qualified individual with the proper skill set and passion for the job.
Carlos, MI	How do you prove that a company discriminated against you when you sought employment with them?
Ms. Mestey	This is a difficult and sensitive question. If you feel the proof you have is sufficient, go to the company. Most companies will launch an investigation based on certain proof. Proving that this has happened is difficult and you need to prepare yourself to embark on a long journey.
Kara, NY	Hi! I went to law school, graduated a year ago and have not yet passed the bar exam. I have not had a job since graduating due to depression and insecurity. I have 2 questions: 1) How do I explain/present the long gap (in which I only did very minor, one-task things for two individuals) on my resume and in interviews to prospective employers in a way that doesn't take me out of consideration for a job? 2) What is the best way for me to research alternative non-legal careers, and how do I focus once I've narrowed down the possibilities?
Ms. Mestey	Attending and finishing law school is a rigorous and admirable task, at best. The emotional strain or burn out associated with the rigorous course work of law school and even medical school is warranted and understood by many. (1) I would suggest you create a strong cover letter to attach to all of the resumes you submit. Explain this gap as a hiatus to prepare more appropriately for your future. (2) You want to enjoy your next job, so ask yourself what you enjoy. What will make you get out of bed in the morning and give you no desire to call in sick. Focus on your skills, do not set yourself up for disappointment. Apply for jobs that meet your skill requirement and make sure you are adding all of these skills to your resume. Several corporations and jobs require a J.D. degree for various reasons that have nothing to do with practicing law - start there.
Theresa, CT	What should you do when your philosophy conflicts with your employer's philosophy?
Ms. Mestey	The question to ask yourself is how it affects your work. If you feel that the philosophy of the company is so different that you can not possibly work there any longer, you may want to consider a new job. If there is any way that you can discuss it with a Senior Manager, bring it up and see what their opinion is on the topic, you might find that the philosophy is changing.
Mary, IL	Since completion of my MBA in 2002, I have had to focus on family business needs unrelated to my previous career path. I was a product marketing manager for a technology/manufacturing firm. Now that my family obligation is complete I would like to resume my previous career path and need to know the implication of the gap in my employment (which is five years, including the two years I completed my MBA) to prospective employers and how I should be handling it.
Ms. Mestey	You will need to show how you remain current in this field. Articulating your family situation isn't a bad thing, but keep it to a minimum, it should remain relative to the concern of the resume gap and can be expressed briefly in a cover letter or resume as a LOA (leave of absence). Don't forget to articulate to an employer your passion and desire to return to that field and the fact that your obligations have now changed allowing you to be more available and reliable.
Mitchell, VA	How do you convince an employer that your experience in another industry or field works well in their industry or field? I am an attorney looking to change fields, but employers cannot see past the title.
Ms. Mestey	This really depends on what industry and position you are approaching. If you truly feel that you have the experience in the particular position, your resume will speak for itself, as the skill set for the job will mirror your own and even this is enough to warrant an interview. If you were an attorney working in a particular industry, you may want to begin there and approach old clients or just that industry in general. Convincing employers that you are the most qualified will be difficult - instead go the approach of the most skilled to do the job.
Marie, GA	I have been a Secretary, Administrative Assistant or Executive Secretary for 5-7 years. I have been laid off twice and the businesses closed forcing me into the job market. Currently, I'm majoring in Accounting (part-time) at the age of 43. Should I wait until I obtain my Accounting degree before seeking employment? Thank you.
Ms. Mestey	Do your research on companies in your area that have an accounting practice and attempt to get hired in another capacity into that department, it will be easier to move into a role if your manager already has an affinity toward you and encourages promotion from within the company.
Sally, TX	I am a new graduate. I don't have much experience. How do I put volunteer work in a resume? What are okay references to use?
Ms. Mestey	Add all experience to your resume, but as a new graduate focus on the skills that most corporations look for: leadership, teamwork, communication skills and ability to problem solve. References from Senior Management may work best, it will show your level of interaction.
Victor, CA	I am 23 and resigned from a real estate developer in Orange County, CA. My passion is to pursue a career in the financial services industry. Did I do the right thing resigning from a company before having another opportunity in place?
Ms. Mestey	Every case has special circumstances. In your case, I don't believe it will hurt you since you are changing industries. This should give you more time to truly focus your energies on your new career.

Read past Ask The Expert discussions here.

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