Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ve been an elementary-school teacher for 10 years. Due to budget cuts, I’m losing my job. Teaching is incredibly stressful, and I am ready to move on to something new. I am hardworking and enjoy organizing and planning. I need a job where I will be busy — I can’t stand trying to “look busy.” Any suggestions? — Julie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a manager who regularly reads your column for insight into what employees and potential new hires are thinking. I have worked hard to build the trust of my team, but now I’ve been instructed to lay off four of them. Our HR department has given me some guidelines for doing the deed that are cold and impersonal. I’d love some advice from you guys on how I can go a bit further and minimize the negative impact on the self-esteem of my departing employees. — Carly Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: For the past 12 years I have been running a manufacturing facility. The company is closing its local operations, and I have been looking for a new position. I’ve just received an offer from a company that makes hospital supplies, at a 30 percent increase in pay. The issue is that this would be a management position on a rotating-shift basis, which I’m not sure I could get accustomed to. It goes against my principles to start at a new company, knowing that I might not stay. Any thoughts? — Nic Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I took the past three years off to spend time with my children. Now that the kids are of an age where they would rather NOT spend time with me, I’m ready to get back to work. I know my resume screams “She’s been sitting on her butt for three years.” Should my cover letter explain my situation, or would that throw me in the “no” pile even faster? Help! — Gail Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I want to start my own company but don’t really have the know-how. Could you advise me on how I might go about getting started? — Samuel Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: In 2007, I went to work for a small company. Things were going along fine till the owner said he was going to let me go. I asked why, and all he’d say was, “Just a lot of little things.” I later learned he hired a friend of his to replace me. When I applied for unemployment, I found out he indicated I was discharged for insubordination. I challenged it and won. But now I think he must be telling prospective employers that I was fired for insubordination because, despite having eight years in data management, I can’t get interviews. — Larry Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I can’t let go of what my former employer did to me. I was let go unfairly, and I’m so angry that I can’t move forward. I feel like the only way I’m going to feel better is if I get my old job back and get an apology from them — but that’s not going to happen. — Kathleen Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently landed a job at a small tech company. I like the work and the people, but the other employees are all pot smokers, sometimes lighting up at the office. Should I just say no and try to ignore it, or move on? — Gary Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My employment history is a mix of survival jobs, retail and basic office. My liberal-arts degree has been useless. I’ve gone through skills/interests testing, but the results were far from interesting. I can’t afford the debt of school. I have no ideas or contacts except that I’d like to work in an animal-rescue sanctuary. — Linda Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just got passed over for promotion. I was the most qualified, but the job went to a Hispanic woman. (Upper management has been pushing “diversity.”) The handwriting on the wall is saying go elsewhere, right? — Janine Read the rest of this entry »