Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a 37-year-old female with a management degree from a good state university, but I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Help. – Carri Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was working for a title company and was laid off. It was a blessing, because the office I was working in was a toxic environment – two manic-depressive women with no life who are bitter and angry. Now that I am out there applying for jobs, I am getting discouraged because I am not getting any offers, just interviews. Are there any suggestions you can give me in regard to helping with the interview process? – Stephanie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. and Dale: I have a sticky situation. I recently took a job that required me to relocate several states away. My past executive relocations always have been handled by the companies themselves. This time, I’ve been asked to present receipts for reimbursement. I was told they don’t have a relocation specialist, even though this is an international corporation. The only thing they asked to approve was the actual cost for the packing and moving of my household goods. Meanwhile, I have expenses for travel to the new location and temporary housing, as well as storage costs and a trip back to my old city to finalize the sale of my home. I want to start off on the right foot but I don’t want to feel taken advantage of either. – Jeff Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My employer recently changed the way we are paid. From what I understand, this now classifies me as an independent contractor, and I am responsible for paying all my own FICA and taxes. However, I am still paid the same way I always was. I don’t understand this. – Sam Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have sent out my resume to places where it sounded like I fit the job like a glove. I redo the resume to fit each specific job, emphasizing experience in that area. Where I live it’s a tight job market; employers receive sometimes as many as 80 to 100 resumes for one clerical job. I rarely get called, and if I do, I don’t get the job. I have changed jobs a lot and relocated, so I figure that might be the reason. – Harriet Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have been a teacher for the past 20 years, and now my wish is for a complete career makeover. I want to become a veterinarian. My plan is to start by working in a vet’s office or pet store. Here is the problem: My advanced degrees are keeping me from finding employment. In fact, I can’t even get interviews. – Sil Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: A good friend of mine at work just got fired for instant-messaging on the job. Isn’t that stupid? I mean, how is that any different from me taking a personal call at work? In fact, I would think IMing is better because it’s free and it takes less time to respond to. – Katie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My situation is a little bit unusual. I am a 59-year-old worker who has taken retirement, but is definitely not ready to retire. I really would like to stay with institutional finance, where I have 30 years experience, instead of going with an hourly retail job like so many of my contemporaries have done. Do I tell prospective employers that I plan to work for the next 10 to 12 years in the cover letter, wait for the interview, or just let that dog sleep? – James Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 30 years old and completed a bachelor’s degree in business management last October. My employer provides tuition reimbursement, and I decided to pursue an additional degree so I can meet more qualifications for positions with this employer. However, as positions open, I am continually turned down. I currently do most of the work for my boss, but when interviewed for a similar position, I was turned down because of my lack of supervisory experience. The more I receive these refusals, the more I am beginning to dislike my job and employer. – Melanie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 24 years old and currently working as a stem-cell scientist. I have been thinking about going to India for a master’s degree in biotechnology. I’ve been there before and fell in love with it. The colleges I am looking at are the best in the country, and I do not think I would be stinting my education. My biggest concern is how future employers would view such a degree. – Rex Read the rest of this entry »