Job Doc chat transcript

Elaine Varelas is a career expert with over 20 years experience in career management consulting. Elaine is managing partner of Keystone Partners, a career management firm headquartered in Boston. She also writes the Hire Authority column for the Boston.com/Monster Hiring Hub

Elaine Varelas: Welcome chatters! Ready to answer your job search questions, and find out more about issues in the way of you getting that great job.

Bfitz: I'm a recent college grad and am having a hard time looking for work. Do you have any tips to help sell my 5 years of professional experience?

Elaine Varelas: Congratulations on the graduation.

Elaine Varelas: When you say recent, do you mean this year? or is the 5 years what you have been doing since?

Elaine Varelas: Either way, start with the people who know you best. Those you have been working for or have a student for. Get the resume polished with the help of the career services office and start networking.

jobseeker: looking for a new job! fast! have experience in construction and retail/labor.......can you help me?

Elaine Varelas: The season for constuction is upon us, and even though the business is a bit off, opportunities are there. Start talking to all you know. Small and big projects can get you to the right people.

Elaine Varelas: The fast way is always going to be going direct to hiring manager. Whoever feels the pain of not having the right help will take action quickly. Tourist areas are peak right now for retail.

I_m-At-Work: I was recently contacted for a job interview - the company was really anxious to "get me in" to talk with the hiring group. I went to some trouble to take time off from work (they wanted a whole afternoon). The interview went extremely well, and, as I was leaving, the hiring manager talked about bringing me back and getting my references in order, since they wanted to "make a decision in the next few days". But since then, I haven' heard a word. I sent thank-you emails, no response. It's been almost 2 weeks now with no word. heck, I'd even appreciate a thanks-but-no-thanks letter, because at least then I'd know where I stand. When & how should interviewees close off an otherwise good interview when there is no other information forthcoming?

Elaine Varelas: Don't you hate when that happens?

Elaine Varelas: I wouldn't say it is over yet, but some information would be welcome and is warranted. I encourage you to call early in the morning, before any administrative help might get in, or after 5 when the hiring manager might answer their phone.

Elaine Varelas: Your goal is information. Something may have come up in the process, or some reasonable delay (reasonable on their part). If you do get the person, you want to reaffirm your interest, and ask about the timing and status of the opportunity. If you don't get a hold of them, you can leave a message saying the same thing, and that you would like to connect just to review the status. If you don't get that needed call back, try one more time with any administartive people you met.

Elaine Varelas: Often they can be much more forthcoming about what is going on. An alert to all other interviewing people. Make sure there is a plan to touch base, and that you make sure it is ok for you to call them in case there is a delay. If nothing happens after a few attempts like this this - consider it closed, and be happy if something positive happens after that.

weez: Can you talk a little about the advantages/disadvantages of using a career counselor and are such firms used by both employers and potential employees?

Elaine Varelas: I am totally biased toward the expertise good career counselors bring to the party.

Elaine Varelas: Career counselors are typically hired by a person to help them explore career options, or strategize about a job search, or practice interviewing, networking or other job search skills, or to write a resume.

Elaine Varelas: Employers would not typically hire a career counselor for their employees, but they would hire an career management firm to support a job transition for an employee leaving an organization.

Wolfgang: Any tips on a good resume writing service? Any tips on a good employement agency / agent?

Elaine Varelas: Lots of tips - can be found by asking around. Placement firms can be found in all types and areas of expertise.

Elaine Varelas: Get referred to a person, and a firm. You are looking for someone who will be direct and honest with you. Agencies can not place everyone, and if they can't place you, you want to know. Don't be offended. Just recognize that they work to fill the job orders they get from their customers. If they don't fill them they don't get hired.

Elaine Varelas: Resume writing needs to be in partnership with a good career counselor. People who say they can write your resume without you don't have access to most of the data which is in your head, and they need to hear more about your successes, and your targets. There are ways to get help, but this is where your part of the job really matters.

JoeyBoots: I was recently offered to interview for a position and I asked if they were making travel accomodations. Should I have asked this?

Elaine Varelas: Maybe. If the job was local the answer is no. Often a way to ask these kinds of questions is "How do you want to handle travel arrangements?" So rather than assuming they will do the work, you leave it open enough where either answer is agreeable. Some companies want to do it all - others may want you to manage the tasks for your own convenience. Show that you are always willing to do the work, and flexibility is your middle name.

patsnation02: I'm a 34 year old woman who's just moved back to the boston area. with a wide variety of skill, as an executive assisitant, with web design experiance as well as marketing AND customer relations how could I go about finding a good job with a good fit at a decent salery?

Elaine Varelas: Welcome back! The market in Boston is good - but I am not sure exactly what you are looking for in a job other than a good fit and $$.

Elaine Varelas: Try desribing the job you are looking for in terms of the skills you would like to use. Is it an admin job or a CSR role or a web design role?

Elaine Varelas: Try asking about good - describe what that would mean for you in terms of culture - and ask for employers with great comp and benefits plans. Target you job search in those areas, but zero in a bit on which of those areas you are the BEST at!

Mark_from_Boston: Hi Elaine, I am a new manager and my team is great, except for 1 person. This person is upset that they were not selected for my role and as a result is giving me quite a few problems. To add to the issue, my boss is not giving me much support around a resolution to the issue. I'm at a loss as to what to do and am not able to perform my job 100%. Do you have any advice?

Elaine Varelas: Welcome to management - the good and the bad. Your boss selected you for the job most likeley knowing this would be an issue, and assuming you could manage it so.... I am a firm beliver in direct communication. What is it that this person is great at. I'm sure I know what they are doing to aggravate you, but that isn't imprtant right now. You want to see where they add value, and what they can do on the job that will make them - and you look good.

Elaine Varelas: You might consider a conversation that goes something like. I understand you were also interested in this role, and may be disappointed because I was selected. I hope that will not be an issue between us. I think we have the opportunity to work well together and from what I see/hear/am told (select one) you are very strong in..... I'd like to work with you to see how we can use those skills to advnace the work of the team. To do that, I need your support - in front of the team, and behind the scenes. If you can't offer me that, then I see some problems. I'm hoping to avoid any issues and just do great work with good people. How does that sound?

Elaine Varelas: See what happens!

Elaine Varelas: And make sure your boss knows this is the plan.

Bfitz: how often should you follow up on submitted resumes? i don't want to annoy employers or seem deserpate, but i do want to keep on their radar.

Elaine Varelas: If it is just a resume alone, there is very little pay back to following up. A resume and a call - a bit more, a resume and a networking meeting, even better. A resume hand carried by a contact to a hiring manager. Much better. Sending a resume is little action and it gets little response.

Elaine Varelas: You can also ask lots of questions like where they are in the process, when they will be interviewing. Lots more to get you closer to mneeting someone face to face.

isetta: Are there any employment agencies that cater to 50 plus job seekers? All I've seen are those that post jobs for van drivers etc. I have a computer /project management background and no one seems to go for the resume. Any thoughts?

Elaine Varelas: I haven't seen any. Is the issue the resume and not the age? 50 plus what? Have people review and comment on what the resume looks like - it should be getting some hits. Use your network for feedback from companies - just as that feedback on the resume presentation.

Jen: I'm looking to change jobs, but I have been where I am for 5 years, and I am worried that I will have to take a pay cut if I change jobs. I am an editor.

Elaine Varelas: Well if you stay there forever you still might need to take a pay cut! Do some research - find out what the going rate is for these jobs, and what didfferent organization are known for when it comes to comp.

Elaine Varelas: Companies often make decisions about whether they want to be the highest payer, the lowest, or somewhere in between. Talk to people in the field. With 5 yers behind you I don't think it will be an issue unless you are way overpaid to start.

lassy: HI Elaine, I have an office etiquette issue. Is it appropriate to ask an assistant to get a manager a drink or get lunch?

Elaine Varelas: It is lunch time - can you get mine too?

Elaine Varelas: OK - really now. It depends. Many managers work through lunch, have lunch meetings, and are trying to make time double itself. They need the support and value what is being done for them.

Elaine Varelas: So much of this depends on the relationship a manager and assistant have. I do not see these activities as beneath anyone. And as long as you are treated well on the whole, I don't see a problem with it. You shouldn't be asked to lose your lunch time or break time to do this, and you should be thanked. Managers know your time is valuable too, so hopefully you get drinks and lunch added on sometimes as well.

lassy: I'm serious. Are there any "rules" around this?

Elaine Varelas: I was too - just a slow typist.

Mdavi: I have a high interest in working for a police department in the cyber crime unit, however I am running into issues due to my past drug use any thoughts?

Elaine Varelas: If you awre running into issues, then your former drug use must be public. I'd say it might be a hard sell. Some things haunt you forever. You might want to consider working privately first, building up skills and a track record. Great questions for networking with the police connections.

GAP: I am a mutual fund accountant looking to get into general accounting and have earned my MBA . I have been looking for a new job for a year since receiving my degree and have been turned down because I don't have general accounting experience. Do you have a recommendation on how I can get more interviews without having the minimum of two year general accounting experience?

Elaine Varelas: I would talk to the career services office and get connected to other alumni in the field. Were they able to do it, or is it a hard and fast practice. Is there a way to get some general acctg experience on the job? Can you ask for a special project? Can you volunteer for a non profit and bild your skill level in that way as their accounting manager.

Elaine Varelas: Again - use the network and find out how much experience you actually need, and which cababilities they are concerned about being missing.

jbernier: i graduate in may and am looking for work. unlike a lot of my friends, i acutally have over 5 years of professional experience in addition to 1 year of internships. a few jobs i've applied to say i'm over quailifed and others say i'm under quailifed. is there something i can do to market myself better?

Elaine Varelas: We have some more information from J so to continue.... If your 5 years is five years with one employer full time, then it is 5 years, and you need to sell yourself as an experienced person who just finished a degree.

Elaine Varelas: If it is 5 years at many professional organizations with semester long roles - paid not internships - you need to sell yourself as a new graduate with great work experience. I often find new grads have a bit of an inflated sense of their past work experience. Which view works better for you?

keith: Help... I just graduated with a degree in journalism and can't even get an interview in my field. I have good communication and writing skills. What else could I do> can you recommend any temp agencies??

Elaine Varelas: Keith - communication and writing skills are in demand in so many organizations and jobs! Keep at it. PR is a thought, marketing, often firms have internal communications groups that do newsletters. Development in higher ed and non profits use people with these skills too.

Elaine Varelas: Talk to everyone you know at different kinds of companies and ask them which people, which groups use the most, or have the greatest need for writing skills.

mwk: Hi, for the last 10 years, I have been employed as a dog groomer, running a shop in a vet's office. I've decided that I need to get out of that profession, and I'm trying to work my customer relations skills into a job in Customer Service, or maybe a phone center. However all of the agencies I apply to, they can't seem to get past the fact that I've never worked in an office. Is there any way to break down this barrier and convert my skills into an office job?

Elaine Varelas: Last I looked, a vet's office is an office! Are they concened becasue you cam to the interview in casual clothes with dog hair all over?

Elaine Varelas: You want to highlight that you have great customer service skills by dealing with the owners on the phone and in person. Show that you have great communication skills by giving examples of how you handles delays in the return of a pet, or other issues that must have come up. Show that you know how to arrive professionally attired for the work to be done. Peoiple need to see you as a business person. Good luck!

mwk: no, I have a suit and tie that I wear. It's very difficult to get feedback from some of these people, but the little I have gotten, they see "Dog Groomer" on the resume and they don't want to believe I can work in an office behind a desk.

Elaine Varelas: I know wou'll be able to conince them!

Elaine Varelas: Thanks chatters for another great time looking at the world of work. Good luck on your careers!! Chat again next time!