Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 22 years old and have an associate’s degree in new media design. So far, I haven’t been able to find work in my field. Should I pursue my bachelor’s in new media or get an associate’s degree in another field? — Ben Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: What’s the best way to handle the following? You go for weeks with no response to your job submittals. Then, you finally get one hit. All appears promising. You are informed that a decision will be made the next week. Meanwhile, you get an offer for a lesser job that wants you to decide immediately. Can you tell them you are awaiting the answer on another position? — Lamar 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: I’m a former business owner who’s now searching for employment. I’m stuck in a conundrum: When I apply for lower-level positions, I’m overqualified; when I apply for higher-level positions, I’m underqualified. Suggestions? — Nolan Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Last March I was hired as a receptionist. My boss kept saying how wonderful I was. Then I got pregnant. My boss started asking me all sorts of questions that I thought were not quite right, maybe even illegal. I didn’t understand how she could treat me so differently just because I was pregnant. I had to take off a few days with horrible morning sickness, and I ended up having a miscarriage. Then I had to have surgery. When I finally came back, for what I thought was for good, they told me I am a seasonal employee and will be laid off in April. I contacted lawyers, but they want too much money. I don’t know what to do. — Sally Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: The firm I work for is closing a couple of its other branches, so now it is making everyone retake interviews so the company can keep the best of the bunch. This means my job is now up for grabs. What are my rights? — Mick Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m a 52-year-old female desperately looking for employment. Until a reorganization, I worked as an administrative assistant at a major company, with a salary of nearly $40K. In addition to applying for just about every administrative position advertised, I’ve applied to several placement agencies and lowered my salary requirements to the $28K range. Although employers can’t tell me that I’m too old, I suspect that may be one of the reasons. Advice? - Keri

J.T.: I read your e-mail and my first thought was, “You might be casting your net too wide.”

Dale: My first thought was, “Time for a reminder that ‘Hiring IS discrimination,’” which turns out Read the rest of this entry »

J.T.: For this month’s recommendation of a career resource, I’ve chosen a book by Travis Bradberry called “Squawk! How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results.” It’s the story of a flock of seagulls living near a food court who are suddenly unable to sustain themselves. With help from some unlikely friends, the leader of the flock, Charlie, learns how to stop “squawking” and start helping.

Dale: Hmmm … Well, for my choice, I’m singling out a Web site that I don’t recommend using, but I do recommend knowing about. It’s called criminalsearches.com. For the first time, anyone can do state or national searches of criminal records, for free. The site has a startling database, right down to traffic tickets. It’s a gossip’s dream come true. I mention it only because everyone should know that the time has come when every encounter with the legal system is knowable.

© 2008 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I never took high school seriously, but I managed to graduate. The biggest mistake I ever made was never going on to college. I went straight to work for a factory. That was 10 years ago. I just got let go from my latest dead-end factory job. I need a new direction, but just don’t know where to start. — Van

J.T.: It may not seem like it, Van, but you have actually gotten started in choosing a career direction. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Is there any way I can find out if my employer is paying men and women the same pay for the same job? — Britney

J.T.: In many states, it is illegal for HR to divulge what co-workers are earning. So I’d suggest approaching the issue indirectly. Start by asking the HR department about salary ranges, and what is required to attain the highest level. This approach suggests that you’re trying to learn what you need to do to enhance your performance and eventually earn more money. Read the rest of this entry »