ATC Library Job Search

Q. When I submit applications through a company's website, I never get a response. My well-written cover letter and resume seem to disappear into some kind of black hole. Do you think companies sometimes list fake jobs to give investors the impression that they’re growing?

A. Your lack of feedback can be explained without a conspiracy theory. Advertised jobs are a mixed blessing. The good news is that you know a position is available. The bad news is that everyone else also knows.

Because ads generate a large response, recruiters simply don’t have time for individual replies. So applicants seldom hear anything unless they are asked to interview.

To avoid the black hole, develop personal contacts through networking. That way, you may learn about openings before they’re posted. Networking requires more effort than online submissions, but unfortunately it takes work to find work.

Q: I’m looking for a new job because I’ve been sexually harassed by my boss, who is the CEO of the company. When interviewers ask why I’m seeking a new position, do I tell them the truth? Or just say I’m looking for something more challenging?

A: Because interviewers are always on the alert for potential problems, you should never mention sexual harassment during a job search. Instead of being sympathetic, the interviewer may jump to the erroneous conclusion that you could be a troublemaker. This isn't fair, but it’s a fact.

You want to shine the spotlight on your outstanding qualifications, not your boss’s sexual shenanigans. So when discussing your decision to leave, give a truthful reason that has nothing to do with the lecherous CEO. Smart applicants explain why they’re excited about a new job, not why they had problems with the old one.

Q: I have more than twenty years of experience in a computer-related industry. I’ve been in management, owned my own business, and consulted with large companies.

Three years ago, I decided to pursue a completely new profession. I enrolled in college courses and took entry-level jobs to get started. Now that I have three years’ experience, I want to advance my career.

Currently, my company has no promotional openings, so I decided to explore the job market. I found that I need a four-year degree to even get an interview.

I have a lot of ability and experience to offer, so why do I need some piece of paper that says I went to school for four years? I may not have a degree, but I do have a brain! Why is a degree more important than professional experience?

A: After years of success, being a rookie in a new profession is tough. Despite your long history of achievement, you now have to prove yourself all over again. In this new field, you have only three years’ experience, not twenty. And your previous work history may be considered irrelevant.

In certain occupations, the degree requirement insures that practitioners have an adequate knowledge base. For those professions, a college diploma is the entry ticket.

In fields where a degree is not mandatory, the need for one depends largely on the job market. If many college-educated applicants are available, non-graduates may be at a disadvantage. But if there are numerous vacancies and few applicants, employers will be more flexible.

At this point, your best career bet is to seek promotional opportunities with your current company, where your track record outweighs any educational shortcomings. Once you have higher-level experience, opportunities may open up elsewhere.

If circumstances allow, consider going back to school and getting that degree. You’ll strengthen your resume, and you might even learn something.

Q: If an employment ad says "send resume" and does not specifically mention a cover letter, is it permissible to forward only a resume? Or should a cover letter always be attached?

A: Always include a cover letter (or “cover email’), even if one is not requested. And don’t just send the same boring, two-sentence message to every potential employer.

Instead, view your letter as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. While the resume provides a factual summary of your background, the cover letter can convey your attitude and personality.

Discuss your interest in the job, the value of your experience, and the attributes that make you an outstanding employee. Explain why you are excited about working for this particular organization.

But don’t make the mistake of sharing too much. Comments about your divorce, your pets, your hobbies, or your religion may be considered irrelevant or inappropriate.

To get a job, you must first get an interview. The cover letter can help to convince employers that you are someone they need to meet.

Q: After a job interview, I know you should send a thank you note. I normally fax my letters the same day or the day after. However, I have some questions about this process.

When I’m interviewed by several people, should I include all their names on one letter or send a separate letter to each person? If I send separate letters, can they all have the same wording or should each one be different?

And if someone fails to give me a business card, what if I forget their name or don’t know how to spell it?

A: With multiple interviewers, you should send separate notes. A single letter may not get passed around. Using identical wording is okay, but you’ll make a stronger impression if you include specific comments about each interview.

If you need the name of an executive, check the company's website. For others, call the main number and ask the receptionist for help. You don’t need to give a lengthy description of your dilemma. Just explain that you’re addressing a letter.

To avoid this problem in the future, present your own business card to the interviewer and ask for one in return. Unemployed job seekers should have professionally printed cards with their name and contact information.

And stop faxing your letters. Fax copies often look sloppy, so take the extra time to put your notes in the mail. This gives you one more chance to make a good impression.

All this may sound like a lot of work, but the most successful job seekers view the quest for employment as a job in itself.

Q: I work the night shift in a large call center, but I’m looking for a new job. Unfortunately, two prospective employers recently scheduled my interviews at 8:00 AM. Although this is only a few hours after I get home from work, I agreed for fear of seeming inflexible. I went to both interviews with very little sleep. I know I’ll do much better in interviews if I’m fully awake. How should I handle this?

A: Considering the stakes, negotiating an interview time is perfectly reasonable. Interviewers want to accurately assess your abilities, so a later meeting will be to their benefit. Any rational person knows that sleeplessness doesn’t promote peak performance.

When a prospective employer calls, simply explain that you work the night shift and request a suitable interview time. If unusual circumstances dictate an early appointment, at least you will have adjusted your interviewer’s expectations.

If someone arbitrarily insists that you come in with no sleep, be wary. You may not want to work for a company that demonstrates so little regard for your needs.

Q: I’m not sure how much information to share during a job interview. Interviewers will often ask questions like “Describe a problem that you’ve had at work” or “What kind of manager do you find it hard to work with?”. When asked about negative aspects of my work experience, how should I respond?

A: Remember that the first goal of every interviewer is to screen out potential problem employees. So you must avoid saying anything that would raise a red flag.

Complaining about your workload will make you sound like a slacker. Griping about your boss will make you seem difficult to manage. But saying that you’ve never had any problems sounds deceptive.

One solution is to turn negatives into positives. When asked to describe a setback, show how you resolved the problem. When discussing a difficult boss, explain how you learned to successfully work with that type of manager.

To make the best impression, rehearse possible answers ahead of time. Many interviewers ask similar questions, so you should be prepared with answers that present you in a positive light. A job interview is not the place to “wing it”.

Q: I had a disagreement with my supervisor, who took the issue to our manager. When nothing had been resolved after several days, I began to feel that my job was in jeopardy, so I quit.

Since then, I have looked for work constantly, but no one will hire me. I have good references from prior jobs, but I think my most recent employer is blackballing me. What can I do about this?

A: Do you know for a fact that your former employer is trashing your reputation? Or is that just the most comforting explanation for your job search difficulties?

If you have actual evidence of negative comments, the next question is whether they are factually accurate. If the information is false, advise them to stop immediately. You might even have an attorney send a letter.

If their unflattering remarks are truthful, however, then you have no leverage to make demands. Instead, try to reach agreement on how your work history will be described to prospective employers. Having left on bad terms, you may need to grovel a bit to get their cooperation.

But if you have no proof and are simply speculating about the reason for rejections, you may be overlooking the true cause. Blaming others could keep you from revising a poorly written resume or sharpening your interviewing skills. And one final note: I hope you have learned that quitting one job before finding another is a very risky move.

Q: I’m not getting any decent salary offers during my search for a new job, so I need to figure out whether my expectations are reasonable. I do know that I'm being underpaid in my current position.

I served in the military for several years and now work for the federal government. Next year, I will complete my business administration degree. Do you think I receive low offers because I have not yet obtained my degree or because I'm not marketing myself well?

A: For a reality check on your expectations, research typical salaries for the jobs that you’re considering. Possible information sources include professional associations, salary comparison websites, or friends who work in human resources. Networking with people who hold similar positions can also be helpful.

Your current low salary may be triggering the unsatisfactory offers. Many organizations automatically offer new hires a certain percentage above their present pay level. However, that figure is often negotiable.

When you receive an offer, ask where the proposed salary falls in the pay range. If the level seems low, explain why you believe your experience should place you higher in the range. Or you might ask for a guaranteed increase upon completion of your degree.

Negotiating your starting pay is important, because future increases are usually based on a percentage of your salary. So don't be afraid to ask for more. Just be prepared to explain why you're worth it.

Q: I have been fired from almost every job I’ve ever had. My friend says I’m just unlucky, because I seem to wind up in impossible situations that I can’t escape.

I know that difficult people are in every workplace, but I guess I haven’t learned how to properly navigate around the worst ones. I’ve tried the fight-back approach and the just-deal-with-it approach, but neither seems to work.

Last time, I made a preemptive strike by going to human resources, but still wound up on the losing end of the stick. I have been fired from five jobs in seven years. What would you recommend for someone like me?

A: Getting fired five times in seven years is not bad luck. It’s a self-destructive pattern. When the same problem occurs repeatedly, the cause almost always lies in the person’s own actions.

Based on your description, you appear to get emotionally "hooked" by certain types of people. The resulting conflict eventually causes management to view you as a liability.

To break this pattern, stop blaming the "difficult" coworkers and start identifying your own troublesome behaviors. Review the events that preceded each termination. How did your actions make the situation worse? What could you have done differently?

If you can’t answer these questions, ask for feedback from managers, coworkers, friends, or relatives. Listen carefully to what they say. And don’t argue.

To salvage your career, you must become a stable, cooperative, undemanding employee. If you can’t make this change on your own, then seek out professional counseling.

Q. I need to vent about looking for a job. Employers always want to hire experienced people, so they don’t have to do much training. But how can I get experience if no one will give me that first chance?

Also, how can a person become proficient at anything without using those skills on a consistent basis? You can take classes to learn things, which I have done, but that’s not the same as experience.

A: You’ve encountered the classic dilemma of every newly-minted professional: you can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job. Fortunately, a full-time position is not the only way to develop skills and boost your resume.

One strategy is to obtain short-term assignments in your field by signing on with a temporary employment agency. For those who are mobile and flexible, contract jobs are available at all levels, from administrative assistant to CEO. And as a temp, you can get the inside scoop on prospective employers without making a permanent commitment.

Another option is to offer your talents to a non-profit organization. Because of their limited budgets, charitable and civic groups often welcome skilled volunteer help. Such unpaid work can provide both valuable experience and a reference who can validate your abilities.

If you are currently employed, but trying to change professions, look for stepping-stone opportunities with your present employer. For example, an engineer interested in being a trainer volunteered to teach classes in his field. And a secretary hoping to become a project manager asked to head up some small projects in her department.

Finally, remember that looking for a job is a job in itself. To compensate for lack of experience, you must demonstrate stellar skills in networking, resume preparation, and interviewing. If you are both qualified and persistent, your frustrating job search will eventually come to an end.

Q: As an applicant, I get frustrated when interviewers don’t bother to tell me anything about the company or the job. Without this information, how can I know whether I want a future with a potential employer? Are job applicants expected to learn about the company on their own before accepting a position? In the Dark

A: Sounds to me like someone is being a bit lazy. Before you ever set foot in an interviewer’s office, you should have thoroughly researched the company. Fortunately, the Internet makes this so very easy. In the olden times, people had to dig around in libraries, but now you can gather a wealth of information with just a few clicks.

Interviewers actually expect you to have done some homework, so a lack of knowledge may cause them to question both your interest and your common sense. Always remember that employers look for applicants who are motivated to work for their particular organization. If you know nothing about the place, how can you be excited about working there?

Research also has other benefits. You can ask questions that may impress the interviewer, like “How was your company able to achieve such a significant increase in market share?” And the more you learn, the better equipped you will be to decide whether an employer is a good fit for you.

You seem surprised that interviewers withhold information, so here’s the reason: they want unbiased answers to their questions. The more they tell you, the more clues you have about how to give the preferred response.

If you need more information to answer a question, however, you should politely request it. For example: “I could address that subject more thoroughly if I knew more about the type of projects involved in this position.” You may or may not get an answer, but there’s no harm in asking. Marie McIntyre

Q: Although I have a Master’s degree, I recently accepted a clerical position because I needed the pay and benefits. However, I have now been offered a job in human resources, which is my professional field. Is it ethical for me to resign after being with this organization such a short time? I don't want to burn any bridges.

A: I’m not a big fan of breaking commitments. But in this case, because your present job is such a poor match for your qualifications, I think you should take the opportunity to return to your profession. Staying with your current employer could cause you to become unhappy and resentful, which would not benefit anyone.

To make a graceful exit, start by having a sincere and straightforward conversation with your boss. Explain that this unexpected opportunity is directly related to your educational background and career goals. Tell him how bad you feel about leaving so quickly. Then give as much notice as possible and do top-notch work for as long as you’re there.

Your manager may be justifiably irritated about the suddenness of your departure, but hiring overqualified applicants is always a risk. So do whatever you can to make the transition easier, then go to your new job with a clear conscience. Marie McIntyre

Q. I am a mother of three who is trying to return to the workforce. I keep sending out resumes, but can’t seem to get an interview. However, I know that once an employer sees my commitment and willingness to learn, I will get a job. What can a mother do to get back into the working world?

A. There are two paths to an interview: (1) sending out resumes and (2) getting contacts from people you know. In your case, personal referral is a better bet, since your resume is a little slim and can’t convey your positive personal attributes.

This means that you have to really work your contacts. Do all of your family members, friends, and acquaintances know that you’re looking for work? Have you asked them for names of people who might be helpful?

When you call networking contacts, don’t ask if they have a job available, because the answer to that question will usually be a quick “no”. Instead, concisely describe your career goal, then ask if they can suggest others for you to contact.

Keep an organized file or database of your networking contacts and the results of each phone call. Ask if it’s okay to touch base with them every month or so by email, then send regular updates to your email list about your job search.

You might also consider doing some “informational interviews” – that is, making calls to learn more about a particular type of work. As long as you indicate that you’re just researching, many people will be glad to answer questions about their job. And if you impress them on the phone, they might become a good referral source.

To be sure that your resume makes a good impression, read books or online information about resume preparation and get feedback from friends with hiring experience. Be sure to include any relevant non-paid activities, such as volunteer work, leadership roles, or work for a family member. During interviews, be prepared to describe how experience from your “non-work” years will help you succeed on the job.

Finally, connect with local job seekers’ groups. These are usually advertised in the paper, on job search sites, or though churches, where a lot of them are held. Such groups can provide both social support and job leads, since one person’s rejected opportunity can be another’s perfect job. Marie McIntyre

Q: While looking for a new job, I have noticed that interviewers don't bother to read my application or even turn off their cell phones. Since they don’t know what my application says, they clearly aren’t very interested in me. As soon as the cell phone rings, they stop talking to me and answer it, which is really rude. How do I, the applicant, politely end the interview? May I point out to them how rude they are?

A: A job search is frustrating enough without being treated like a piece of furniture. But here’s a cruel reality: as long as you hope to get the job, the interviewer has all the power. So if you want to be hired, you must tolerate ringing cell phones and clueless questions.

As an applicant, you have very little control, which is an unpleasant feeling for most of us. Although criticizing the interviewer and walking out might help you regain a sense of control, it guarantees that you won’t get the job.

Here’s what I suggest: Accept the fact that being a job applicant isn’t much fun. Be as pleasant and friendly as possible during interviews. And quietly enjoy feeling superior to ill-mannered interviewers whose mothers obviously didn’t raise them right.

Should you want to terminate an interview, simply say “I’ve enjoyed talking with you, but I don’t think that I would be a very good fit for the position you have available”. Forget about critiquing interviewers’ behavior unless you want your job search to last forever.

Your assumption that they have not read your application is probably incorrect. After all, someone had to evaluate your qualifications before deciding to talk with you. Interviewers review many applications, so expecting them to commit yours to memory is rather unrealistic.

Because looking for work is stressful, consider joining a job search group where you can commiserate with other applicants. That way, you can vent your frustrations without alienating the people you are trying to impress. Marie McIntyre

Q. I have applied for many jobs, but no one calls me for an interview. For ten years, I have worked in call centers for tech support and customer service. My resume has been professionally written, but I am not getting any bites at all. What am I to do? Feeling Hopeless

A. Because many call center jobs are being outsourced overseas, you have a lot of competition. To get an interview, you have to stand out from the crowd. And to stand out, you need personal contacts and a first-class resume.

After ten years, you must know a lot people in your field. Use these networking contacts to locate openings and connect with interviewers. With many qualified applicants available, interviewers often give first priority to those referred by someone they know.

Despite being professionally prepared, your resume may not be as powerful as possible. A resume is a sales tool with one single purpose: to convince an employer to interview you instead of someone else. If your contacts include managers or HR people, ask them for feedback on your resume. Here are some questions to consider:

§ Do you customize your resume for each job? For every position, you need to highlight the most relevant parts of your background. A generic resume will often get you a generic response: no interest.

§ Have you included everything that might attract an interviewer’s attention? Training, certifications, projects, special assignments – even volunteer work – can all help to get you noticed.

§ When you send your resume electronically, do you know how it looks on the receiving end? One applicant found that during transmission, all her fancy bullets had turned into tiny little lips! No kidding.

§ Have you double-checked for mistakes or misspellings? Even one slip-up can make you appear careless and cost you an interview. (Not to be picky, but your email to us had two spelling errors.)

Looking for work is just not fun. Job seekers face constant rejection and have no idea when it will end. So consider joining a job search group where you and your fellow sufferers can share frustrations. The emotional support will help keep your spirits up, and you may also get some job leads. Marie McIntyre

Q: I don’t seem to be able to get a job interview. I am an honest, successful, hardworking employee who has changed employers four times in the last five years. I have never been fired or laid off, and every change was for a good reason, but now I’m not getting any responses to my resume. Recruiters say it is because I have " job-hopped ", but honestly, I have not found the right fit. After one year with my current employer, I am absolutely miserable. What am I to do? Mr. Honest

A: I believe this calls for a short lesson on patterns. If it seems unrelated, just hang with me for a bit.

Consider the example of divorce. Marriages may end for many reasons, but if the same guy gets divorced three times, that’s a pattern. Our thrice-married friend either has difficulty picking the right partner or adjusting to married life. He needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror, because he is somehow causing this problem. If he fails to recognize this, then more botched relationships probably lie ahead. Get the point?

Since you are now contemplating your fifth job change in as many years, something is clearly wrong with either (a) your job selection process or (b) your job adjustment process. I don’t know what your “good reasons” were for changing jobs, but here are some possibilities:

1. You don't really like your profession, so you quickly become unhappy with the work.

2. You resent authority and therefore have a hard time getting along with managers.

3. You enjoy starting things more than finishing them and get bored once the novelty wears off.

Do any of those sound like you? If not, can you find a common thread in your own reasons for leaving? Try to figure out why you either pick jobs that are a bad fit or have trouble adjusting once you are there.

Even though you are unhappy in your current position, you really need to diagnose the underlying cause of your constant dissatisfaction before switching again. Otherwise, your job-hopping pattern is very likely to repeat.

How Do I Help My Daughter Find A Job?

Q. Now that my daughter has finished school, she appears very overwhelmed with finding a job. She has a Master’s degree in business, but doesn’t seem to know how to approach a job search. As a parent, what’s the best way for me to help?

A. There’s a world of difference between being a student and being a job applicant. After many years in the comfortable confines of academia, your daughter now must undertake a task for which she has received little preparation. Most college students are taught how to work in their field, but not how to find a job there.

Your daughter’s alma mater undoubtedly has a career counseling and placement office, so that’s the first resource she should tap. If she hasn’t explored these services, then she should check out the resources on their website and make an appointment to talk with a counselor.

As a parent, your role is to support your daughter without taking over the tasks that she needs to do herself. For example, you can suggest a visit to the placement office, but she needs to make the appointment. You can give her feedback on her resume, but she needs to write it. You can identify friends and relatives who might provide job leads, but she needs to contact them. In short, help her learn how to find a job instead of trying to find one for her.

To break the process down into manageable pieces, let your daughter know that looking for work includes five basic steps: 1) setting career goals, 2) networking, 3) resume writing, 4) interviewing, and 5) job selection. Many books and online resources are available to help with these activities. Suggestions for each step can also be found on our website at the link below.

Parents are often very helpful with networking, since they know many people. And those with management or human resources experience can assist with resume review and interview practice. But be wary of getting too involved in career choice. As parents, we are seldom objective about our children and generally make lousy career counselors.

Helpful links related to this topic on Your Office Coach:

“Five Key Job-seeking Skills” at http://yourofficecoach.com/Topics/five_key_job-seeking_skills.htm
“Do’s & Don’ts for Job Interviews” at http://yourofficecoach.com/Topics/do's_don'ts_interviewing.htm

Can I Keep My Bonus After I Quit?

Q: In a couple of weeks, we will receive our performance reviews for the year, followed by our annual bonuses. Although no one knows it yet, I have been offered a job in another state. I plan to accept this offer and leave my present employer, which means that I will be quitting right after I get my bonus. Is this a tacky thing to do? I really like my boss and don’t want to offend him.

A: If you’re asking whether it’s okay to take the money and run, in my opinion that’s a no-brainer. Your annual bonus is given for work done in the previous year, so you’ve already earned that money. In many organizations, you can lose your entire bonus by leaving before it’s awarded, so people often wait until after that date to give notice. In fact, to do otherwise would really not be too bright!

However, if you were a new hire who left right after receiving a signing bonus, my answer would be different. That would be unethical. But an annual bonus is a different matter.

Should anyone try to make you feel guilty for this, they just don’t understand how the compensation system works. Since you like your boss, let him know that you appreciate the bonus and hope that the timing of your departure doesn’t make you appear ungrateful.

Of course, you do need to give a sufficient notice period, leave your work in good shape for the next person, and provide any needed assistance with the transition. But since you are someone who worries about ethics, I’m sure you were going to do those things anyway. Marie McIntyre