Sifting through the business world
Q. After five years of working with XYZ company, I took a position with a competitor only to discover the job was being outsourced in six months (which they didn't tell me during the interview). I called my old boss, and he agreed to take me back at my old position and salary.
A year later I accepted a job offer from another employer because I was going through a divorce, and the new job would be a shorter commute for me. After 15 months, they also started outsourcing jobs. So I applied for a position back with XYZ company in a different department and got the job.
I've been here two weeks, and I'm loving it. My question is, how do I handle unwanted questions like, "How long before you leave again?" These comments really hurt my feelings. I'm honest, a very hard worker, and good at my job. I don't plan on leaving again anytime soon, but sometimes life happens. Any advice?
R.D., Quincy
A. The best thing you can do to convince your co-workers you're there for the long haul is to focus on doing the best job you can. To those random people who ask, explain -- exactly as you did in your letter -- that you're glad finally to be in a situation where the job isn't going to be outsourced, and that you're personally in a more stable place in your life. Then turn the conversation toward how much you enjoy the work you're doing.
Q. When e-mailing a resume to a potential employer in response to an online job posting, should I send the cover letter as a separate attachment, in addition to the attached resume, or should it be included in the body of the e-mail? I want the letter to look professional, but I also want the employer to read it, which they might not do if they have to open it separately.
M.M., Boston
A. Because the job was initially posted online, your cover letter could be included in the body of the e-mail. I agree that asking the recipient to open a second attachment may pose an additional burden. At the same time, a professional-looking letter shows you're able to present yourself in the best light. Consider sending the two documents in a single file -- page one being the cover letter and page two the resume.
Another option: Send copies of the professional-looking letter and resume via regular mail, in addition to e-mailing them. In your e-mail, let the company know that, for their convenience, you're e-mailing the resume and letter, but that the original documents will arrive by postal service. This way you've got all your bases covered.
