Ella Answers Career Questions

Dear Ella,

I love my company and don't want to leave. However, my next move up the corporate ladder at this point would require my boss to either be promoted or quit, and that's not going to happen any time soon — or so I thought. Last Monday, I took a sick day off and went to an interview with a competitor. After the interview, as I exited the building and while walking down the steps to my car, I ran into my boss! We briefly acknowledged each other as we passed on the steps but said nothing. It has been a week since the incident, but he hasn't said anything to me about it. I feed uncomfortable because I don't know how to act around him now. What should I do?

Dear What Should I Do?

Be patient, say nothing and wait. He is leaving — if he weren't, he would have come to you by now, discussed the incident and tried to find a way to keep you on his team. Next time he's out to lunch, I suggest you go into his office and measure for new drapes. Good luck and congratulations!

Dear Ella,

I worked for a large company for almost 25 years and always had an outstanding work record. In the last two years, a new boss was brought up within the company and, for whatever reason, he did not like me from the start. It got so bad that I finally left with a very nice severance package.

My problem is that I am now job hunting and of course the first thing I am asked is why I left. I have been telling them that I needed a career change. I don't feel they believe me and feel that I may be losing out on some jobs because I don't know how to answer this question. What do you suggest?

Dear What Do I Suggest?

While it is never appropriate to speak negatively about a former employer, you can tell a constructed truth. Tell them that your company went through an internal reorganization and someone with whom you were unable to establish a working relationship replaced your boss. Remember that it is always easier to get a job when you have a job, so next time, use common sense and when you see that the "writing is on the wall," start looking immediately for a new opportunity — don't wait until you get the axe. You stayed too long at the fair.

Dear Ella,

I will be graduating from college this December and still don't know what kind of job I want. My major is communications with an emphasis in public relations. Please help me make a decision.

Dear Please Help Me Make A Decision:

Work is not usually fun and not usually easy, but it's something most of us have to do in life. Stop allowing yourself the luxury of self-inflicted ignorance and take responsibility for your future. Speak to your career counselor; find out the dates of all the corporate campus recruiting events your university has to offer you and GET A JOB!!! One step leads us to the next. Stop standing still.

Dear Ella,

I will graduate this September with a BA in Business Management. My question is, should I wait until I graduate to start sending out resumes?

Dear When Should I Start Sending Out Resumes?

Again, you need to act proactively. You should have been doing internships during your academic years to give you hands-on experience and to help you determine your areas of strengths, abilities and interests. For many students, these internships turn in to full-time jobs after graduation or become a springboard to other opportunity.

Make a company wish list. If you could work for any three companies, which would they be and why? Modify your resume to suit each company and under education, write your expected date of graduation — December 2001. Send your resumes directly to the person to whom you would most likely report — NOT JUST TO HUMAN RESOURCES! Be aggressive and consistent in your follow-up. Good luck.

Dear Ella,

I would really like to work from home. I've been an administrative assistant/secretary for years and don't know how to go about it. I don't think I want to work for myself, but finding employment with a company that will allow me to work from home isn't easy. Do you have any suggestions?

Dear Do You Have Any Suggestion?

Yes — transcribing court reports. I am told that it offers a steady and good wage and allows one to work independently. There are schools that train in this area and also assist in placement once you have graduated. To find these schools, call some local companies that offer transcribing services or your local county court house for some "tried and true" reputable referrals.

Dear Ella,

I have just relocated to a new area and am starting a job search. I am a little concerned about the interview process as at 59, and am wondering how my age will impact a job interview. I know there are age discrimination laws, but when you go in for an interview and they are not expecting someone in my age category or all my competition is at least 30 years younger than me, it makes it difficult to get the job. Am I being too concerned over this? Any suggestions for someone my age starting a job search?

Dear Any Suggestions For Someone My Age:

If you are sending resumes to companies where you know your competition is 30 years your junior — GIVE IT UP ALREADY! — That's the culture of that particular company and you are never going to fit in. They know it and you know it.

The two biggest mistakes I see older people make when they construct their resumes are:

1. They open their resume with a statement similar to the following: "With more than 25 years of experience in ..."
2. They leave off their dates of graduation from school.

These two things not only draw more attention to your age, but send up a red flag that you see yourself as old, so STOP DOING IT! Believe me — your age is no secret. It's written all over your resume (or it should be). It can be found in the dates of your employment and in the dates of your graduation from school. So the next time a company calls you to set up an interview, don't sweat it — they like you, they really like you. Now isn't that nice.

Next Week: Interviewing Strategies

All rights reserved by Ella Kallish.
Written by Ella Kallish.
For more information on Ella Kallish, go to www.ellakallish.com.
Ella Kallish is also available for corporate and group seminars.

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