DALE: Today’s adventure in job searching comes from Carol of Baton Rouge, who describes herself as as “one of the lucky ones.” Here’s her summary of what transpired…

My employer decided he wanted someone with more “credentials.” He was a jerk who could barely pay his bills. My check bounced a few times. He was impossible.

This new job fell into my lap – I know this sounds new agey, but I think it was karma. I had put the word out on the street that I was looking. I soon had two interviews. Both guys I interviewed with offered on the same day. This job felt right and has been a perfect fit. I found it in three days even knowing Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina has been a tough market for support staff. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: At a recent job review, my boss told me that my writing skill, which I’d been told by previous employers is my greatest strength, is, in her opinion, my biggest weakness. I was shocked. I like my job and want to stay, but I’m finding it difficult to cope with the fact that I am working for someone whom I don’t see eye-to-eye with. — Melissa Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I had been working as a contract project manager when, in January, another department manager offered me a better position. Both the old and new managers agreed that they would keep me in my current position and that they would hold the new position till the end of March. Then, in March, the new manager informed me that the position had been given to someone else. My question is, Do I have any legal rights to sue for the position that was offered to me? — Brian Read the rest of this entry »

After 20 years of working, the last nine of them with the same major corporation, I wanted to try something new. I went with a smaller firm whose president hired me to build a new division. However, the promised staffing support isn’t coming through, and I’m having a hard time adjusting to the “seat of the pants” decision-making. Any advice would be appreciated. — Robert Read the rest of this entry »

I enjoyed your column about how to handle a termination. However, it only scratches the surface of my “soap opera” termination story. I was fired in retaliation to my being a witness in a sexual harassment investigation. Of course, I was given another reason for my termination. The situation ended up in federal court, where my employer gave up. Now, here’s my problem: Some interviewers want to know the reason given by my employer for my termination. To me, it’s a moot point, since it was a lie. — Don Read the rest of this entry »

I am a nurse working at a nursing home. The new administrator has developed a new policy where the nurses (who have every other weekend off) will be required to sign up for a 24-hour shift to be “on call.” No mention of reimbursement of any kind has been offered. — Megan Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was terminated from my previous job as a store manager. I had my brother call my previous employer to see what they’d say about me. It isn’t what they said, but how they said it: “He was terminated for performance,” and then with a snotty attitude, “No, he isn’t eligible for rehire.” What can I do? I was not terminated for performance but because my supervisor wanted me involved in unscrupulous dealings and I refused. Got any advice? — Jack Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was fired for reasons I felt were inappropriate. I applied for unemployment, my former employer objected, I appealed, and won the appeal. I am suing for inappropriate dismissal (breach of contract). I also am applying for new jobs. Should I even apply for a position out of town until the lawsuit is over? — Kim Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My first annual performance review was more than seven months late. When we finally sat down, it was a satisfying review, and I received my increase. It’s now almost two months past my second anniversary, and this time my manager said that I was valued and that I would be receiving double the increase I received last time — although, since it’s not in the budget, it would take a while. After a few weeks, when I expressed eagerness to get the raise and to sit down and talk, she said, “There’s nothing left to talk about.” I’ve been able to maintain a professional demeanor (not been angry or demanding), but I’m flummoxed! — Kathleen Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was told that I was being terminated for using a bad word that was overheard by a patient. Yet the supervisor could not give me any specifics of who, what, where and when. I honestly believe that I was cut to reduce overhead since they had expanded and constantly reminded us of the money invested. I was the second-highest-paid employee there, and my job duties easily could be split and done by other people (which is what happened after I was let go). My assumption is that they used an excuse, because they know I would have asked for a severance package. I don’t want to use the reason they gave me on any future job applications because it’s not true. Would it be OK to put what I believe is the real reason? — Randy Read the rest of this entry »