Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ll be a senior in college this coming year, and I am scared to graduate. My parents, who couldn’t afford college, keep telling me how lucky I am. If I hear, “Don’t worry, you can be anything you want because you’ve got an education,” one more time, I think I’ll be sick. I have no idea what I want to do, the economy is terrible and I’ve got student loans that will kick in when I’m done. I’m stressing out! — Nate Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ve been at my current job for a year, but this fall my hours will be cut to part time, and I want to look for something new. At my previous job, I was “let go,” mainly because of a lack of experience. How should I manage my references? — Roni Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently went on an interview at a large corporation. When I went to the restroom to freshen up, a couple of ladies were in there, and I noticed that one left without washing her hands. It was evident from passing the stall that she had [done serious business in there]. To my surprise and horror, she turned out to be my interviewer. She put out her hand to shake, but instead of shaking, I put my hands behind my back and nodded hello. She looked insulted. What should I have done? By the way, I didn’t get the job. — Janice Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am currently in my first year as a teacher. Many of the things I was assured would happen during the year did not transpire. On top of that, my position is being eliminated for next year, so I had to start looking for a new job, both in this district and in others. I was one of two final candidates for a job in my current district. When asked by the principal during the final interview if I would say “yes” right away if offered the job, I hesitated. The next day, I found out I didn’t get it. I was crushed. Should I have handled it differently? — Carolyn Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have a secret: I don’t really work an eight-hour day, even though my company pays me for one. I can get away with spending hours on the Internet. I tried not to do this, but my job is just too boring. I’m worried my boss will eventually figure out how much time I spend on personal stuff (like checking my Facebook account) and I’ll get fired. Any suggestions? — Dominic Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am trying to start my own IT consulting practice, and it seems impossible to find gigs directly with companies — all the work seems to be through staffing agencies. I’ve heard that most of the direct jobs are through networking, but how do you even start? I’ve tried blogs and networking sites … they all lead to a staffing firm. ARGHHH! — A frustrated female consultant Read the rest of this entry »

This week, myself and a fellow HR writer put out a challenge to managers and employees across America.

The question is…

Do you know how to give a really, truly great compliment to someone at work you don’t like?

This challenge is designed to help people understand the difference between appreciation vs. compliments (read my article that describes the big difference between the two HERE), Read the rest of this entry »

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: Are we now to actively pursue both “networking” (face-to-face and personal meetings) as well as “Internet-working”? It almost seems like double work — if one is ultimately going to be invited in for interviews due to “knowing somebody who knows somebody,” then what is the value of spending time and energy at the keyboard? — Elizabeth Read the rest of this entry »