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By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I work as a software developer on an open-ended contract that I have directly with the company. The company wants me to become an employee, but the salary would be lower than my...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist 0(polling) Q: Why do some companies use blind ads, where the hiring company's name is not listed and it invites you to reply to an unknown "address"? Are those real jobs, or are they...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist When starting a job search, how many headhunters is it best to put to work on your behalf?(polls) Q: When starting a job search, how many headhunters is it best to put to work...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: How do I tell an employer that its offer does not meet my expectations? Even my most diplomatic language sounds like a used-car salesman haggling over price. Any suggestions? NICK'S REPLY: Some folks...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: You suggest that the best way to approach a company about a job is to talk directly with the hiring manager. I am confused as to how to approach a hiring manager on...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Most of your references are good. But you just got laid off, and you were fired from a job where the boss didn't like you. How can you overcome bad references?(polling) Q: Most of...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: My sister interviewed for a good job and was told she was perfect for it. Then they asked her to sign a form granting permission to run a credit check. Her credit report...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist The interview didn't work out. The manager told you she's not interested in hiring you. Bummer. What should you do?(opinion) Q: The interview didn't work out. The manager told you she's not interested in...
On June 8, 2009, job-search expert and Ask the Headhunter columnist Nick Corcodilos answered your questions about finding a good job in a challenging economy. Read the discussion below to learn how you can stand out in a crowded...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I was offered a job and declined. Four days later I called back. The offer is still open so I went and talked with them again. I have not done any new negotiating...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Is it OK for an African-American student to include in her resume the fact that she is an active member of certain African-American groups at college?(trends)ww.polldaddy.com">poll) Q: An African-American friend is about to send...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Every article and book about resumes preaches the importance of creating a scannable resume. You must have the right key words and the right font to be "found" by the scanning machine. It...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist With the competition so stiff, what can college students to do to get internships that will help them land good jobs after they graduate?(poll) Q: New college graduates are hitting the streets looking for...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I love my new job. However, according to recent salary surveys, I am underpaid by as much as $5,000 per year. Since I've been here for only two months, how long should I...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Take Our Poll(surveys) Q: Employers often ask you to take a technical test prior to a job interview. Sometimes the tests are easy, and sometimes they are tricky. You are concerned that in the...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: An interviewer asked if I did any programming work, when my resume clearly states that I did. Sometimes I'm asked if I know this software tool or that one. If I did, I...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist polls - Take Our Poll Q: The first thing headhunters say is, "Please send me a copy of your resume," even when they already have a copy that they downloaded from an online resume...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I accepted what seemed to be a great job. Nine weeks later, the smoke and mirrors are gone, and I see that I'm working for a CEO who won't trust people enough to...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: In this down economy, your employer has put all salary increases on hold. But the company is still giving promotions, though without pay increases. Should you push for a promotion without the pay...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You have been at your company for three years. New management has taken over and they are trying to make everyone sign a non-compete agreement (NCA). There is no existing NCA in place....
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I've been a project manager running million-dollar software projects for 15 years. However, I'm sick of the stress, never-ending deadlines and frantic pace of technology. I'm 41, and I can't keep this up...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You're getting a lot of unwanted calls from headhunters. How should you deal with them? Nick's reply: What you're experiencing is partly the result of low hiring levels and partly due to the...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I located a position on a company's Web site and asked my recruiter to submit my resume, but he has been unable to secure an interview or any feedback for me. Now I...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: A company makes you a pretty good job offer. They want a decision as soon as possible. What if you have other interviews scheduled within days after receiving the offer? What's an acceptable...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: A year ago I posted my resume on three employment Web sites. I'm befuddled by all the employers who send me rejection letters for jobs I never applied for! My resume states I'm...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I've learned that your advice isn't easy to implement, but it works: "Good jobs come from good personal contacts." A job hunter should take the lead and let others play their parts. Based...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You've got a great job opportunity -- in a distant city. You don't know whether they pay for relocation, but you can't afford to pay your own way. What's the best way --...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm being downsized at the end of the month. (Let's just say it: I'm losing my job.) I have an exit interview scheduled. Any recommendations on what to say and what not to...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You've been at your company for several years. Others have gotten promoted while you're in the same job. You're not good at speaking up, but you know you could do higher-level jobs. What...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm a first-year graduate student, and I want to get a leg up on summer internship opportunities, preferably in a small technology company. These positions aren't typically advertised, so I am researching companies....
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist polls - Take Our Poll Q: You're going to graduate from college in June. A co-op job with a local company requires that you work there through the end of the year. You want...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: The job market is tough. You interview thoroughly with half a dozen companies: phone interviews, first and second meetings, reference checks and finally promises of an offer. But no offers materialize. What could...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: As a manager I'm always trying to find better ways to evaluate job candidates. What type of questions should an interviewer ask the potential employee in the job interview? Any recommendations? NICK'S REPLY:...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: Nowadays, people use multiple methods to search for a job. Some methods are automated, some involve more of the personal touch, while others involve professional assistance. How did you win your current job?...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I am in my 40s, and I have 10-plus years of employment with the federal government and a family. Because of this, I need to stay with the federal government. I want to...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: I have family responsibilities that preclude full-time employment. How do I find a half-time job? I have 20 years of marketing experience. Nick's reply: If you give up because the economy is bad,...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Out of work for a year, I'm now considering hiring help, but it's very expensive ($4,000 to $10,000). I'd appreciate your clarification of the services offered by outplacement, career counseling and career marketing...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: You just started a new job. A recruiter lured you to another city from a very good job. Now you are seeing what your new job actually entails, compared to what was sold...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: You advise that job candidates should not divulge their salary history to an employer. I'm a recruiter, and I think that's the worst advice you could give a prospective candidate. When it's time...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: Your company has downsized. You departed with a generous severance package. Coupled with your savings, that will give you a cushion of at least six months of living expenses. What should you do...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I work in a field where it's no problem to ask my boss for a recommendation letter. She asked me to write one myself, which she will sign. Can you suggest a book...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: Many job listings have college-degree requirements listed. Sometimes you believe you could do the job, but you don't have the degree. What is the best way to deal with such job opportunities? Nick's...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm considering leaving my company. I've been pretty happy here and the company has been good to me, but my expertise makes me valuable elsewhere, too. What I'm worried about is "the grass...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: Many job candidates send a letter to an employer after they are interviewed. It reconfirms their interest in the job and, if written well, helps keep them toward the top of the list....
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: A company has given me a job offer, but its policy is not to disclose the benefits until after I've accepted the position. This sounds really bizarre. They assure me that the package...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I was fired for a minor policy violation. How much should I tell prospective employers about it? In interviews, do I tell what happened and hope for the best? Or do I make...
Employers sometimes ask you to take a test to see if you have the skills necessary for a job. When asked to take a test, how should you respond? ( polls) Q: Employers sometimes ask you to take a...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: You have a great job, but you just received a great offer from another company. It's an increase in pay and it even comes with a grant of stock. The jobs are about...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm a hiring manager and I like to ask candidates to: -- Review our Web site and provide ideas for improvement prior to the interview. -- Meet with a sales manager who can...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: Your company isn't doing well. A downsizing is planned. In an effort to reduce the number of people who will have to be laid off involuntarily, they are offering a generous severance package...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q:You suggest that a person can find a job just as well as a headhunter can. Maybe, but I think a headhunter can save you a lot of time and trouble. So what are...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You were hired by a "consulting company," which in turn marketed you to one of its clients. You're now working at the client's offices. You just found out that your company purposely rewrote...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm a recruiter and I don't agree with your advice that job candidates should withhold their salary history in an interview. I understand your point, but I think this limits the candidate's options....
polls - Take Our Poll Q: When is the last time you asked your boss for feedback about your work? Nick's reply: Kudos to those readers who ask for feedback from the boss without waiting for review time. I'm...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Company 1 just threw a good offer in my direction. The manager asked me for a decision within a few days. I'd like more time to examine this opportunity to see if it...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: During an interview, you realize the manager has no clear definition of the job you're being considered for. But you like the boss and the company, and you want the job. What should...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: This isn't a question, but something I wanted to share. I finally ironed out the details of my new job. I was taking a shower, and I had this fleeting thought: "Wow. They...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: You're happy with your job where you have been for more than 10 years, but the benefits and salary are below-average. The company is small but successful. Some of your friends have changed...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: I graduated from college and have been at my new job for about two months. However, I am beginning to lose interest because the work doesn't match my training. When is the earliest...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: When you reply via e-mail to a job ad, what is the preferred format for a cover letter and a resume? A nicely designed document, or plain text? Many companies don't specify. NICK'S...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You found the job of your dreams. Trouble is, the company has three final candidates and is about to make a hiring decision. This late in the game, your odds of getting an...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I've had more and more work piled on me until I'm a bundle of nerves and stress. I like my job a lot, and the pay is good. But I have now inherited...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: The long-suffering job market has left otherwise stable workers with fragmented resumes. They worry that they look like job hoppers. In the last 10 years, how frequently have you changed employers? Nick's reply:...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm sick and tired of the gloom and doom we have been hearing from the media in recent weeks: layoffs, red ink in corporate America, lower consumer confidence, and so on. In spite...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: Some companies are still interested in gaining a hiring edge over their competitors by offering perks to new hires. What kinds of perks did you receive when you hired on to your latest...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I am confused. I was contacted by a headhunter who was very upbeat after meeting me in person. He said to get ready for an interview because his client was very interested in...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: In my experience, a key reason people change jobs is because they took the wrong job to begin with. Rejecting the wrong jobs is all the more important in a difficult economy, because...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: You advise people to do extensive research and preparation before picking a company to apply to. Then you tell them to prepare a "business plan" about how they'd do the job and to...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: Many people value their vacation time almost as much as their salary. But some corporate policies don't take that into account, and a change of employer involves a loss of vacation time. The...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Like a lot of people, recently I was laid off. How do I go about repackaging my skills and re-marketing myself to a different industry and business? I would hate to start at...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: A female engineer says she dresses for work in slacks with no makeup. When she goes on interviews, she dresses up in a suit, and wears her contacts and light makeup "to look...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Recently I have seen many job advertisements with a "reply to a confidential box number" with no mention of the company name. I can't understand how a company can expect to get the...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm in a real quandary. I started a new job two weeks ago, and I just got a call from another company to which I had sent my résumé about a job I...
Nowadays, all kinds of workers get recruited on the phone. It can help to have a personal policy about how to handle recruiters. What's your policy? ( surveys) Q: Only executives and specialized workers used to get calls from...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: In my three years at this company, I have saved it lots of money and have always earned top performance reviews. Now I want to approach my manager about developing my career and...
You have solid work skills, but your communication skills are lacking. You should: ( polls) Q: Your work skills have earned you great success, but an article you read suggests that communication skills are key to good careers. Your...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: OK, I've been following your steps and I've picked 10 companies (not job openings), and I'm researching my way into my next job. I got a copy of an industry magazine as you...
Should you have a video resume made? ( polls) Q: What could be worse than the boring resume you've been sending out all your life? Nick's reply: Twelve minutes' worth of boring, awkward video of a nervous job hunter...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Four years ago, three co-workers and I bought the software development firm we worked for, but business has slowed down and the company is failing. I am seeking another job using the 10...
A company has recruited you. You show up for the interview, only to find that the personnel department wants you to fill out several forms and to take an employ ( surveys) Q: A company has recruited you. You...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: How can I circumvent the human resource (HR) departments of cities, counties, states or the federal government? I have degrees in political science and public administration. During an internship with the HR department...
Have you encountered age discrimination in your work environment? ( polls) Q: Claims of age discrimination in hiring are a significant controversy, especially in a tough economy. Have you encountered age discrimination in your work environment? Nick's reply: Age...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: In the case of a successful manager, how important is a college degree to a headhunter? I don't have a degree. With so much emphasis on education nowadays, should I fabricate the truth...
You've got an offer, but do you want the job? ( surveys) Q: You finally got the offer. It's a good one, and you're happy with the terms. The problem is, you're suddenly wondering, do I really want to...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I'm looking at a great job with a great company. However, I'm in the early stages of pregnancy, and I'm concerned about how to handle it. I know it's illegal to discriminate against...
Did your boss make your review a pleasure or a nightmare? My boss: ( polls) Q: Job interviews produce a lot of anxiety and stress. But there's another stressful career-related meeting that doesn't get the attention it deserves: the...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Nine months ago I accepted a job that required a move from another state. I signed an agreement saying that if I were to leave before one year is up, I would reimburse...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: I'm a headhunter who tells people that the best resume is NO resume. Yet companies demand resumes all the time. So what's your guess about how I am able to present candidates to...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Some employers like to see proof of a candidate's ability, and they ask for samples of work such as reports, designs or analyses. However, such work could be subject to non-disclosure rules, especially...
surveys - Take Our Poll Q: You're a manager and you just interviewed five job candidates. Two are good enough to consider for the position, and you're going to bring them back for more discussions. What should you do...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I have two job offers, both in the same dollar range. Believe me, in today's economy, I know how lucky I am! I'm not sure which factors to weigh or what will be...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: You want to take a step up into management. Your real strength is not your past experience, but your ability to learn quickly and get things done. What's the best way to stand...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: My boss lies about the availability of projects, about giving bonuses, and about the help she has promised. This affects my motivation to work harder, and it hurts morale in our department. I...
polls - Take Our Poll Q: In seven years you've tripled your salary and risen from running the copy machine to managing a department -- but you've had to change employers five times. You were just rejected for a...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I am speaking both as a frustrated hiring manager and as a job hunter. I've always said to the potential employer, "I want this job. It sounds interesting and challenging." The key phrase...
Should I worry about the non-compete agreement I signed? ( surveys) Q: You're on the job hunt after several successful years at your company. But now you recall that you signed a non-compete agreement that restricts what companies you...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: I recently attended a training class and overheard people discussing how work-at-home jobs have become common. One was talking about using a computer to make money, but none could tell me how to...
If you had your choice when joining a new company, which would you prefer?( polls) Q: Some people associate stock options with the surge of startup companies in the dot-com era, and they think options are gone from the...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: Shouldn't a job hunter do whatever is necessary to win an offer? In an earlier column, you advised against divulging past salary in an interview because it might prejudice an employer's offer. I...
How can you survive when your startup sinks? ( polls) Q: Hank has lots of stock options and a great but taxing job with a startup. He has been a devoted employee for more than two years. Yesterday, management...
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: How can I protect myself when being recruited by contract shops? I just accepted a job through a contracting company. I got the contract in the mail, and the terms are pretty bad....
How do I get the hiring manager's attention? I know that a local company has new positions in the works, but I can't get anyone to talk to me. Is my only alternative to send a resume and hope it is seen by the district manager?
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: How can I negotiate vacation time when I get a job offer? One thing that has kept me from seeking other employment is that I don't want to lose the four weeks of...
You're a manager and you've identified 10 possible candidates for a position in your department. It's time to interview them. What should you do next?
By Nick Corcodilos Syndicated columnist Q: How do I find good small companies to work for? Much of my career has been spent in Fortune 500 companies in several big cities. Now it's time to make a change, but...
Your current boss and buddies at work might be your best references, but if you let them know you're interviewing elsewhere, that could jeopardize your current job.
How useful is a graduate degree? I am making a career change and I plan to pursue a master's degree. Any suggestions on how to proceed after I earn it, or tips on selecting the best grad programs?
Q: How should I choose a new career? Nick's reply: A lot is written about how to change careers, and I think much of it is bunk. Most forms of career counseling borrow from psychology and rely largely on...
Q: I'm a dedicated, loyal employee, and I would do anything for my employer. Why, then, do I lose my job every few years and have a hard time landing a new one? Nick's reply: Your question is impossible...
Even the most talented, successful people experience nervousness and sweaty palms in a job interview. What's the best way to build confidence and eliminate the jitters?
Q: I realize that headhunters work for the employer, but my past experience has been that a good one will pick up an individual with good...
Q: I have 10 years of experience, but I'm confused about what it takes to get a good job nowadays. Companies seem to be incredibly picky...
You have said that the key to a successful job search is to contact the person you would work for within an organization and to show how you can help out. How can I find the manager who has the problems I'll be able to solve?
People routinely send thank-you notes to a company after they attend a job interview. But some question how effective these notes really are. How have you used thank-you notes, if at all?
What to do if you get a good job offer but the pay isn't right.
Q: What do you do when the employer interviewing you has four requirements, you meet three of them, and you know that you're the best person for the job? How can I turn this kind of situation into a job offer?
Six months ago, you sent a resume to a company but never heard back from it. Today, a headhunter says he can get you into this company for an interview. You know you're right for the job the headhunter has described. What's the best way to proceed?
Q: I'm an employer and I need some information on the average salary I should expect to pay an experienced (five to 10 years), degreed individual...
Q: "Where do I see myself in five years? " Many job-related Web sites talk about this interview question, but none gives a definitive answer...
Q: Can an agency submit my résumé to companies without telling me? I told a recruiting firm very clearly to get my consent before...
Job applicants are often so grateful to get an offer that they cast prudence aside and put their future in jeopardy. Don't succumb to the thrill of an incomplete job offer.
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