Job Doc chat transcript

About Our Guest

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: Hello chatters! I am excited to be joining you and ready to answer your job search questions. What is happening today?

john_doh: I am currently a full time employee looking for a better oppurtunity. My problem is that I am finishing my bachelors up but most positions require at least a bachelors degree. What should be a good strategy in either interviews or my resume to show I have the skills and experience and I am really close to getting my degree?

Elaine Varelas: Congratulations. Close is pretty good!

Elaine Varelas: You need to let them see how close to finishing you are. If it is within a semester or a few courses, most employers will be fine with that.

Elaine Varelas: Show them everything else that makes you a great candidate for the job.

mdk198: Would I be less likely to get a full-time, permanent job if I went through a staffing agency? What are the drawbacks of using such agencies?

Elaine Varelas: Less likely? I'm not sure why you think that but contingency placement firms, the ones who get paid after they place you, are looking to fill jobs that companies have listed with exactly the candidate the company asked for.

Elaine Varelas: So if a company asked for a full time person with specific skills and you have them, a match is made.

Elaine Varelas: I don't see many drawbacks - especially if you are direct and honest in your communications and you ask and expect them to be the same. If they can work with you they will say so. If they can't, recognize that it is becasue of the employer, not the search/placement person.

ML: I am in my early 60s, Admin Assist, well-qualified. Any suggestions?

Elaine Varelas: In looking for a job and starting with your age, I guess you have found some challenges.

Elaine Varelas: Some people are a young 60 - some an old 60. Try to present as a young 60 - make sure your resume is top notch, and not too detailed. Don't go back too far.

Elaine Varelas: Network with everybody you ever worked with and see where they are right now. My guess is, if you made good friends at work, they will help you. Great admin people, priced right, get good jobs. You can too!

Calvin: I have been accepted into a Masters program in a great Boston school to become a teacher in my field of work. I am very excited about going back to school and it's my dream to become a public school teacher, but I am worried about gaining another 30K+ in loans when my wife (in the medical field) and I have a combined 100K in student loans from undergraduate school. Is it worth it? I am also becoming an art teacher, which is not the most lucrative field or work. I am not willing to work two jobs; I've been down that disastrous road before. And I don't ever want to work in the medical or technological field.

Elaine Varelas: Do you need the Masters? Can you teach at this point, take courses part time while your wife is finishing school, and not take any more loans.

Elaine Varelas: You may want to look at private secondary schools and though you might see coaching or another extra curricular activity as working 2 jobs, being part of a community in this way might work for you.

Dougie: Hi Elaine, I am interested to change my career to professional Stock trader. what is the qualification for this career and what can i do to be a successful stock trader?

Elaine Varelas: The entire investment field is very interesting, and there are many ways to enter the field. Starting at trader is not usually an entry level role. Have you networked your way into investment firms? Have you met with private financial advisors? Many area colleges and universities offer courses for those interested in becoming financial advisors, and they provide information on the licenses necessary for this often lucrative field.

ML: It is really difficult to stay "up" in this market and knowing that my age cannot help but be a factor.

Elaine Varelas: Staying poisitive will make a huge difference, and treat age as the benefit of experience. Especially in a place you may be the only person, like a field office.

jarst5: Is bad to send a resume more than once to a job ad? Like, say send one a week after the first, if you haven't heard anything? Or does doing so put you in the trash pile? What about applying both online and snail mail for the same job?

Elaine Varelas: Sending multiple responses to ads will probably not make a difference one way or the other.

Elaine Varelas: It makes you look a little bit desperate. If I were going to use up energy on a job, I'd go the networking route. How can you get someoine to look at your paperwork but getting it out of the stacks that recruiters have to review every day.

Elaine Varelas: Is there someone who can bring it on to them or send it with a personal email. That's the most valuable.

DP: I've recently been laid-off what should be my first step?

Elaine Varelas: Take a deep breath. Look at the services the comapny has provided. If they have chosen to give you outplacment, make sure to use the services as they will help you prepare your public statement - Why you left the company.

Elaine Varelas: You will need to develop a pitch stsatement which will describe your skills and the opportunities you are looking for. This pitch will be used to network, and for your friends and colleagues to use about you when they can act as your field sales people. Take the time to assess who you are and what you want to do before you swing into job search mode.

Curious_20-something: Hello, I am considering going back to school to get an advanced degree. Specifically this would be a dual degree- MBA / Master's in Higher Education. What is the job outlook for higher ed? I have a job opportunity to work at the college I would attend, so I could go for free tuition (quite a perk!)

Elaine Varelas: The outlook for higher education is very good - and there are so many vaired jobs to have. You can work in student affairs, finance, fund raising, housing. It all depends on what gets you excited. Most people in higher ed love the environment a college campus brings. And the educational perk is a great benefit too. Stay focused on what it is you want to do with the advanced degree, and build your work experience into that program to make you that much more marketable when you are done.

mosley: Do employers use sites like "linked in" to find job candidates? Or are these mostly for finding friends who know people who may have heard about a job?

Elaine Varelas: Employers and search people are using the socail networking sites to find people to hire, and to check up on people they might be interested in hiring. If you are on any of these sites, I encourage you to review what you have written, and what might be posted about you. Even pictures that might be posted to your site reveal things you might not want a potential employer to see. Remember what you see as your private life might not be that.

Dave56: I'm approaching retirement and my job seems secure, but are there things I should consider just incase I get let go unexpectedly?

Elaine Varelas: Most people approaching retirment do the financial planning needed, but they stop there.

Elaine Varelas: I do hope your job is secure, or as secure as they are now, and keep your self vital to the success of your organization to keep it that way.

Elaine Varelas: As you look at what might come next, what do you hope retirement will bring? Will it be golf and fishing or grandchildren? Or are you intereswted in the next steps in a career - perhaps mentoring, serving on boards of non profits, or something else entirely. Now is the time to have these thoughts and see what your future might look like, and if you can start moving that way now.

Carton32: I was recently offered a job by another company, but I politely turned them down beacuse I am happy with my job. Is this something my current employer should know? I want them to know but don't want to sound like I'm angling for anything in particular.

Elaine Varelas: If you were offered a job that means you most likely went through the interview process. You will need a good reason for having taken that action if you do deside to let your employer know you had an offer.

Elaine Varelas: Is it because of the compensation you want them to know? Is there something else about your job you wish you could change? Did you come away valueing your job and organization more? These would be good to communicate but you need to balance their reaction with the feelings they may have about why you were looking.

Kristen4: Job Doc Elaine, I'm struggling over a new sales opportunity in financial services where they want to pay me with a forgiveable draw rather than the solid base plus comp typical of these positions. I like the opportunity, but fear leaving too much compensation on the table since no other positions I'm considering are based on such a comp structure, where I would need to essentially pay for myself before making commission. However, the longer term opportunity is quite good. Any recommendations?

Elaine Varelas: This may be the first time they have tried this structure, and they are trying to incent sales behavior. Many times these are the plans that are the most lucrative and have no cap on earnings. With all comp plans - regardless of structure, you pay for yourself first, then start earning commission.

Elaine Varelas: You might ask them for some kind of guarantee for the first 6 months or year though that is how I see a non recoverable draw. Work with the numbers and the activity they believe will generate these numbers to see if what they hope is achieveable actually is. Start as a team and you may make the best fo this opportunity.

SJ: I'm 56 and veteran journalist in radio and tv, with also experience in corporate communications. I lost my job a couple of years ago and have been substitute teaching. What do you suggest if I want to go back into broadcasting or related field?

Elaine Varelas: Tv and broadcast, and communications, newpapers etc. are all facing challenges. Revive your network and see if there are projects you can take on. You may decide that a portfolio of opportunites works better that looking for just one job. Can you contract to agencies? Many organizations are subing out this kind of corporate work,a nd you may find your experience proves valuable for them.

Elaine Varelas: My guess is a resume will not be how your next opportunity comes along so start schmoozing.

NeilT: Hi Elaine. I have offers from two firms and one is offering more money, but the job I really want is offering 10K less. What's the best way to negotiate with the company I really like?

Elaine Varelas: Congratulations on two offers. That part is great. So why are they 10K apart? And what is it about the firm that makes it better?

Elaine Varelas: 10K can be a lot of money in comp, or not so much if it is made up in other ways. Is there a 401K plan where they offer up to 10% of your comp? Will they pay for your continuing education.

Elaine Varelas: Look at both offers. Tell them what your situation is and go over all the reasons you are right for the job and the ways that you will contribute to what they really need and want. What % is 10K of the salary - make it look as small as you possible can by saying I'd be ready to accept this offer right now if you can match the other offer. If they say they can't, ask what they can do. Hope fully you'll be pleased.

Elaine Varelas: If not, ask for a 6 month written review with numbers you agree to now coming your way then.

rs_fan: I have been in the work force for about 7 years (college graduate). All of my experience is in customer service. I really want to switch into the HR field. Any suggestions? I can't really afford to "start over" and take a huge paycut for a very entry level position.

Elaine Varelas: There are a few of you out here who want to change jobs but don't want to take a cut in pay. Most people dont.

Elaine Varelas: I am not a big fan of the whole "starting over" view. The way I see it, you start your career with an empty box. Some people have education in the box, some people have summer or part time work experience in it. Everyplace you go, you add tools to the box. More educations, additional skills, life experience. Shake up the box and tools and skills rearrange themseleves to be used in new roles and new companies. Figure out if you are missing any tools, and see how you can get those. This is the way to move into roles that are different than you have been in.

job_hunter: In a recent interview, I was told that if I were to be offered the position they would need to get a reference from my current supervisor. I'm not crazy about that idea as he has no idea that I've been looking for a new job. How should I handle this situation? Thanks!

Elaine Varelas: You can let them know that your current search is confidential, and if you were offered and were to accept the position you would then ask for a reference. You might tell tham it might be clouded by the fact that you were leaving, but you don't want to discuss this with your boss until after an offer has been made.

Elaine Varelas: Do you have any other colleagues at this job that can serve in this role? That might help. You are entirely justified in holding this information back until after an offer (contingent on a good reference perhaps) has been made.

Suitgirl: I have been called for a second interview at an organization that I have already interviewed with in person. However, I am a young woman with only one suit. Would it look unprofessional if I wore the same suit with a different blouse?

Elaine Varelas: One suit is just fine! Different blouse, jewelry, and walah! Professional on the way to a new job. Keep it professional and you'll do great.

SJ: Thanks for the reply and suggestion, which sounds like freelancing. That won't pay the bills. I need full time job with benefits, espeically medical as I have medical issues. Any other ideas?

Elaine Varelas: SJ - I get the situation, and it is a challenge. Let's figure medical costs a company about 15K to provide for you - if not more. Does that give you more flexibility in the jobs you would take? Are those what you are targeting or are you looking for more senior roles. These options are difficult I know, but flexibility plays a key role on how you get what you need.

Elaine Varelas: Time for one more question chatters.

rawson: I'm a young 60 and have not been receiving any replies in my searches. I am well qualified for all the positions, any ides?

Elaine Varelas: For all you young people over 50 looking for jobs. Keep at it. Make sure you ask someone younger than you are how your resume looks electronically (OK I'm being ageist) but you also need to ask how you are dressed. Are you current? Are your glasses current? Your shoes. These all reflect on what people think of wht you know. Shallow? Mmaybe but - if it gets you to a successful ending so be it.

Elaine Varelas: Keep working at it - talk to everyone you know and see if they can help. Ask what you can do for them. Do not give in or give up. It is doable and I have seen it happen. Here's to your success!

Elaine Varelas: Chat with you next time!