Dear J.T. and Dale: For the past three years I tried to make a go of my own photography business in a storefront. I racked up some serious debt. I’m trying to find work to help get us back on our feet financially, while running the business out of our home. At my most recent job, working as a bank teller, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. — Tom Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Our company is in the process of eliminating employees who cannot perform at its new standards. It keeps changing things daily. I am 46 years old, and I really don’t want to have to start all over again. I do my best, but I don’t always feel I’ve done enough. What should I do? — Elizabeth Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: We get wonderful mail, often with great advice, and we enjoy passing the best of it along.

J.T.: What follows is from Ed Leighton of Phoenix, responding to our discussion of someone dealing with job-interview anxiety: 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 »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Almost all interviewers will ask during an interview, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Is there a good answer to such a bad question? — Trish Read the rest of this entry »

JT: Dale and I were brainstorming recently on ways we could help our job-seeking readers combat the negative thinking that can result from looking for work when there’s a high unemployment rate and floundering economy. That’s when Dale said to me, “Why don’t we just ask readers to share their own success stories?” So, we reached out to a few folks and the idea was given a big ‘thumbs up.’ We will be posting new stories regularly, so if you have one you’d like to share, please let us know.

DALE: This week’s success story comes from Wendy Jones of Albuquerque. Let’s get right to her summary of her search, in her own words: 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: My husband’s employer, a giant national corporation, moved their local offices and now he would like to find a job closer to our residence. The company has agreements with all their recruiters and placement companies that restricts them from talking with employees about job possibilities elsewhere. We are advised the only way out is to quit, then seek the help of the recruiters. I had cancer and cannot afford to be without insurance, so we are stuck. I equate this with being held hostage. — Jessica Read the rest of this entry »

A tidal wave of requests for career advice have hit our column recently regarding how to get an interview. Readers are applying to hundreds of jobs, but the phone isn’t ringing with offers to meet. “What am I doing wrong?” they all ask.

While each situation is different and there’s no magic solution to the problem, I can tell you that in my coaching practice, we see two common mistakes to job search that lower a person’s chances of getting interviews.

Here’s the truth: most job seekers work harder, not smarter. So, this podcast explains how to change your approach for a better return on the time and energy you spend looking for your next job. Enjoy!

Adventures In Job Search 04-16-08 - How to Get Interviews

Dear J.T. & Dale: My daughter-in-law was recently fired after 18 months, we believe because her employer didn’t want to pay her for a maternity leave. She is due in six months and is now interviewing. Any suggestions? — Carol Read the rest of this entry »