Q: What can I do to improve my interview skills? After months of networking I am finally getting interviews and I can’t afford to mess up these chances to get a job. I’ve been told that though I am likable, I ramble and give too much detail without getting to the point. What tips do you have to straighten out my presentation?

A: Interviewing is a skill that can be improved with practice. To really develop your skills, you will need to practice in writing, with friends, and in front of a video camera if possible.

Imagine the interview is thirty minutes long. Within those thirty minutes you will have specific time frames, each with a purpose. The first few moments are considered an icebreaker. These minutes may happen as you walk to or sit in someone’s office. Perhaps they ask about traffic or weather. Now is not the time to be negative, respond in short positive statements.

At this point, a transition to the more formal interview will take place. A question often used to start is something such as “Tell me about yourself.” This is not the time to start with a life history, so prepare a written answer which shows a professional progression, the strength of your work experience, and highlights aspects of your personality like dedication, commitment to learning, leadership, and willingness to work hard. You might also prepare a brief personal statement describing your education and places you have lived (particularly if you are willing to relocate). If you go over ninety seconds with this answer, you’ve moved into rambling territory. If interviewers want additional information, they will ask follow-up questions. Try to remember that interviews are conversations with give and take on both sides.

The next part of the interview is where you can showcase how well suited you are for this position. In preparation, study the job description to prepare statements which speak directly to the responsibilities and the challenges of the role. Your research should extend into the culture and environment of the company. Examples that you give should align with what you know about the work-style of the organizations. For instance, if their culture is all about teamwork, your examples will not focus on all the independent work you have done. Most of the errors made in interviews occur in this section, which can easily be prevented by research, preparation, and practice. Prepare at least ten examples highlighting aspects of your experience that will help the recruiter make a positive decision about your employment.

The next section of the interview is focused on questions you may have. You must have at least ten questions ready to ask. These questions demonstrate your sincere interest in the opportunity and that you have prepared for the interview. You will not use all ten questions and you don’t need to save them for this section. If a topic relating to your question comes up during the interview, ask it, don’t wait until the end of the interview. The questions you prepare cannot be questions you would have easily discovered the answers to in your preparation for the interview or questions related to compensation, vacation, or benefits.

As the interviewer begins to bring the meeting to a close, you may be asked if you have any other questions or if there is anything else you would like to say. Take this opportunity to quickly review the match between your skills and what the job needs. Next, express your interest in the position and ask if the interviewer has any concerns about your ability to do this job. If they do, try to resolve the issue at that moment. Ask if the clarification helped, which it hopefully did.

Your last question follows a “Thank you. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet with you. Can you tell me what the next step in the process will be?” This gives you information about the appropriate time to follow up, and the person you need to contact. This general guide to interviewing will only work if you invest the time and energy into the preparation. If you do find yourself slipping back into old habits of rambling, practice wrapping up what you are saying in 5-10 seconds, even if you are in the middle of a thought.

Call a friend, get out the video camera and improve your chances of getting the offer.

Q: I am graduating from a strong business program in May of 2010. I would like to remain in Boston post-graduation. I have had some good consulting internships but those employers are not hiring as many recent college grads this year because of the economy. What can I do differentiate myself from the thousands of others that are also looking for consulting roles after graduation? What do you look for in a recent college grad's resume? I don't have a lot of experience other than some summer jobs in retail and some internships in consulting? Do I include the retail experience? Or just the internships? Do employers care about my GPA?

A: Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. You will be entering a challenging job market. However, with hard work and persistence, many recent college grads have landed rewarding entry-level roles.

I shared your inquiry with Michael B. Rynowecer, President of BTI Consulting. BTI Consulting is a leading market research firm and is looking for recent college grads with strong analytical and data manipulation skills. Rynowecer explains what is important to BTI when recruiting talent:

The summer internships are clearly the most valuable differentiator. These experiences will be especially valuable to a smaller or boutique consulting firm. You can differentiate yourself in two ways. One is to highlight your GPA and relevant experience to a larger firm. The other is to market your capabilities to the mid-size and smaller firms. These firms often have needs but do little formal recruiting on campus. Your ability to find these firms will differentiate you from 90% of the market who rely on ads and school postings. The small firms will like the initiative and experience.

I recommend including the retail experience as it demonstrates a good work ethic and ability to work long hours.

GPA matters. The large firms fight for the people with the best GPAs from the best schools. Mid-size and smaller firms will rarely hire anyone without an excellent GPA.

In addition to Rynowecer's recommendations, I would also suggest employing several different strategies in your search. Strong networking skills are critical for any job seeker. Linked In, Twitter and the job posting boards are also useful tools.

Some quick resume tips:

- Use a clean and easy-to read-format for your resume. Consider using bullets rather than a paragraph-type format. 
- Make sure that your resume scans well and has keywords embedded in it. Larger firms are often scanning your resume and hiring managers will enter keywords when searching the resume pool of candidates on file. 
- Most recent college grads should be able to condense their academic and professional experiences and keep it to one page in length. 
- Proof, proof, proof. There should be no typos.
- Consider customizing your resume before providing a copy to an interested party. Translation: don't send a resume in response to a finance posting with a resume that has an objective of "entry-level role in sales." It is ok to have several different versions of your resume tailored to different roles and industries. 
- Researh the firm before you apply. The more you know, the better. 
- Use meaningful metrics instead of overused phrases. Example: "Increased revenue by 7%" instead of "added value to sales team's goals"

Lastly, always, always handle every interview in a professional manner. Arrive a few minutes early. Be courteous to all, even the receptionist! Send thank you notes or a thank you email even if this is not your ideal job. It is a small world out there. You may run into one of these individuals at the grocery store, local restaurant or even as your next manager!

Still stuck in your job search? Need to know what you're doing wrong - and what you're doing right? Pattie Hunt Sinacole is here to take your questions and offer advice today at 11 a.m. Note that this is an hour earlier than normal, so grab your coffee and join in.

Q. I worked in a dentist's office as a hygienist for over 20 years until he retired. I am now in the process of looking for another job. I send out resumes but get no response. I think that when they look back at 20 years, they know that I was compensated well. I'm willing to take a big cut in salary just to get a job, but how do I put that in a resume? "Willing to negotiate salary" doesn't seem to be working. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

A. Many job seekers know from experience that sending out resumes is one of the least successful ways to get a job, yet it continues to be a significant part of the job search process. Getting you into conversations with people who can hire you or people who can get you to hiring managers is your new goal, and there are a few ways to get you started. Before you decide you need to give up compensation, let’s make sure your job search plan gives you the best chance to get a good response to your efforts.

It sounds like you may have chosen to wait to start the process until your former boss retired. Many job seekers wait until their current role is over before they start the search, and that can really hamper your chances of moving the search forward in a better time frame. In your case, can you ask the dentist to make calls to his professional colleagues to see if they have a need in their offices? Is there a web site or professional association where dentists connect to look for the staff they need? Where have your colleagues gone? You need to find the current and future openings, and then we can deal with your compensation.

For anyone currently employed, your job search should begin once you know you need or want to leave. You may have a 6 week notice, or you may be planning on making a change in 12 months. In both cases, you can put together a plan which involves targeting appropriate organizations or companies, people you know and you’d like to meet, the development of a compelling resume, posting that resume on job boards, a LinkedIn profile with recommendations, and a full list of the web sites that may have jobs in your area of expertise. Some of these recommendations may be new to you but consider learning these new tools your next step in professional development. Use a OneStop Career Center, or a library if you need support to learn to use these tools. It will be worth your time to take the initiative.

When you need to send a resume, you’ll want to include a great cover letter. The focus of the letter is a brief highlight of your skills, what you can offer the new organization, and here is where you let them know that “compensation is flexible, and I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the position in greater detail.”

Following the plan involves meeting with lots of people – developing a full network. In these meetings, after you are able to discuss the extent of your experience, you should identify the kinds of people you are trying to meet. These can be dentists in an office, or perhaps a specialty clinic, or introductions to dentists and other hygienists. In these conversations, your goal is to get an understanding of current compensation, and to let your network know that you are flexible in terms of your financial expectations. If your network is sending your resume, with your message about flexibility, you should be able to generate more meetings, and that’s where offers happen.

Q. It’s spring break time, and my son wants to go to Florida with all his friends. He’s been there, done that, and as he and his friends say, “bought the T-shirt”. He is a senior in college and I think it is time to start looking for his first professional job. He has friends who graduated last year who are still looking for work. Tell him it is time to get serious and get employed, and out of my wallet.

A. Last semester of senior year in college means many things to different people, and yours is a perfect example of how parents and seniors might not share the same vision of how to spend the time. This may be a great opportunity for you and your son to practice the fine art of negotiation – a great skill needed for a successful job search.

College seniors should start their job searches now, if they haven’t already. And college students hoping to find summer work should also begin an active search now.

‘Now’ is a relative term in college time, so if you want your students to begin the a successful job search consider bartering with them. The is not a lot of time between spring break and summer to look for work, and a summer with no job is a very long time, especially with limited cash. In partnership, students and parents might begin the process of documenting the job search steps that need to be completed with a commitment of how much time will be dedicated to the activity. Some of the steps can be completed before a great college style spring break – which shows good faith effort.

Let me give you and your college student a head start on some of the steps.

Step1. Clean up your web presence. No spring break photos on Facebook, or any other incriminating pictures, or posts of you or any of your friends. You might even have to add your parents as friends. No tweets that a hiring manager wouldn’t be thrilled to see.

Step 2. Create a LinkedIn account. These will be professional contacts who can help in your search. Build your network, and do not say “I want to do this on my own”. It takes a network. Learn this lesson now, and you’ll be ahead of job seekers for your whole career.

Step 3. Develop a compelling resume. This sales and marketing tool needs to tell the story of you as a committed worker. Learn how to write a very effective resume. Edit it, have professionals review and edit it. What does each line say to the reader? Give each item the “so what” test. Do they learn about your skills, or do they say so what?

Step 4. Identify and prepare your references. Select at least 5 people who can talk about the work you have done and can do. They need to be totally committed to saying great things about you to anyone who will listen. Make sure your references have your resume, and are familiar with your experiences. Stay connected with them so they know anytime they might be called.

Step 5. Use your resources. Meet your college career services staff. Learn what they teach. Utilize the range of their services. Ask them questions; ask them to edit your resume; ask them who they know; and ask them about successful students who came before you and how they made it happen.

Step 6. Network. Learn to network effectively. Read everything you can about networking, and practice. Practice with your friends, your references, and your career services professionals. Develop this skill to expert level.

Step 7. Success.

Step 1 can be completed before spring break; Step 2 can be started as you pack. All the other steps will lead to success. You get to decide when you start the next steps, and the timeframe that will get you to the last step in the process – for this time.

Q. I'm a trucker driver. Or I was, for over 15 years. Now I am not because I got laid off over a year ago. I enjoyed some time off, collected unemployment, and figured I’d have a job by now. The unemployment extensions have kept me above water, but just barely. I have been looking for a job, but all the job search stuff you write about doesn’t seem to work for people with my kind of job. Plus, all the online applications ask for my social security number. That doesn’t sound right. Is it a scam? It’s time to make some money, and get back to work. Do you have advice for regular jobs?

A. Looking for any job from truck driver to human resources professional to company CEO is a challenge in this economy. Believe it or not, most of the job search methods are the same for any type of job, and there are some adjustments which might make the process more effective.

First, identify all the resources available to you for job search help. You will need to use all avenues including online job boards, industry and networking events, etc. for your search to be successful. Many job seekers choose to use one method at a time, and then see what happens. You need to follow multiple paths to make things move ahead.

You have filed for unemployment insurance, so you are getting financial support. Have you used their services and support to write a detailed resume? In your line of work, the information around dates, certifications, and any awards for attendance, or safe driving all matter. Ensure the accuracy of this information. I am sure you are aware that you can buy a copy of your Department of Transportation Records for about $40 online. You need to make sure all information matches.

Be careful with your social security number. This information is used to identify your driving record and proceed with caution on how you use it. If you find an organization which feels like a scam, or presents you with placement opportunities they want to charge you for that, don’t pursue it. I also encourage you to file complaints with the Better Business Bureau if you feel mislead.

Were you part of a union in any of your jobs? Unions can often help current or former members to find new opportunities. Even if you were not a member of a union, these connections can support your job search. I encourage you to meet with leadership and other members. They will have a host of information, and be able to introduce you to other people who may have lots of information to share about job leads and other professional connections.

Many people think networking only applies to senior business people, but it is vital to every job seeker's success. Networking is connecting with others to learn more about what the marketplace looks like, and to see who else you should reach out to. It applies to you.

Make sure you network, use Craigslist, look at the job boards, and talk to everyone you know about others they know in the transportation business.

There are many kinds of driving jobs, paid in many different ways, and in this market, it will take perseverance, and plenty of referrals to get you to the right hiring organization.

Elaine Varelas is back in the saddle as our resident Job Doc today at noon, and will take all of your job-hunting questions. So stop on by and get some help with your job search.

A. I am in a good job which I have had for the last five years.  I finished my MBA, and started looking about a year ago.  I really want the right next job, and have been working with recruiters, networking, and doing lots of research.  I am hoping you can provide me with some sage career advice.  I have been very interested in a specific company; they aren’t the market leader but they are a good firm.  I was able to get an interview, and was finally offered the role. I am now playing the negotiating game with them in regards to the compensation plan.  I have a number in mind that is almost 10% higher than what they are offering me and I am attempting to get one additional week of vacation. After speaking with the HR recruiter it appears they are not willing to budge off the initial offer, and she made it clear I was annoying to have even raised the issue.

Do you have any advice as to how I can negotiate my comp plan with people who seem unwilling to move off a number? Their excuse to me as to why they would not go higher was peer equity. She asked me how I would feel if I knew someone doing the same job as me was making $10K more. Does the recruiter think we all don’t know it happens all the time?

A.  Congratulations on getting the offer!   It sounds like you have been doing a great job in the job search process, and have a thoughtful approach regarding advancing your career.  Getting an advanced degree during the last few years will serve you well over the long term if it hasn’t started to pay off already.  Many job seekers report they have been waiting out at least the last 12 if not 24 months so that the market would change before they embarked on a job search.  Taking advantage of this time by going back to school and pushing to gather additional experience will help all job seekers as the market improves. 

The most effective negotiation begins before you even interview.  You had a compensation number in mind, and the amount of vacation time you hoped to be offered.  Hopefully, these goals were based on actual industry, market, and specific company research.  Company specific research can provide information about why they would be inclined to make you an offer.  Which skills do they need most?  What value do you bring that exceeds any other candidate?  Your goal is to help each person interviewing you see the added value you bring to the organization.  If you are working with a recruiter, make sure to debrief and gather information on what the company representatives like, and what they saw lacking and wanted to see more off.  Use this data!

If you are not working with a recruiter, make sure to note the areas managers highlighted.  You really need to push your value to the organization as you try to negotiate the financial part of your package.  You can start your negotiation discussion with human resources to negotiate, and I encourage you to talk directly to the hiring manager. The person, who wants you most, will most often show the most flexibility.  Make sure all these conversations are professional, and far from `annoying.

You might offer to meet halfway between their offer and what you want.  You can also consider a financial review at the 6 month mark.  Another strategy is to show how little per pay period the compensation difference is for them, and what a difference it makes to you. You might also tell them that small amount is the only thing standing between an acceptance and they will reap the value in less time than they anticipate. 

If this doesn’t work, you make the hard decision of whether to accept or not.  There needs to be a reason for you to leave the good job you are in, and advancement and compensation need to be prioritized every time you get an offer.

Q: As an existing employee, how do you answer the question "what do you want to get from your company over the next 5 years?" Or do you even answer this question?

A: This is a great question either from an internal applicant (a current employee looking to move into another role within the same company) or an external applicant (a candidate hoping to land a position with a new employer). Your question sounds like a variation of the question "where do you want to be in 5 years?"

First, you want to make sure that your response doesn't limit you in any way. If you respond with "My one and only goal is to land a role in auditing. I know I could do an amazing job and I think I have the attention to detail often required in that type of role."  However, what if your company is looking to outsource auditing? Or if you reply, "I need to be making $75,000 in five years." This makes it sounds like money is the most important criteria and you don't really care about the role or how you will add value to the company.

Second, this is an opportunity to show your passion, enthusiasm and value to the company. Think about: "I really have enjoyed my two years working directly with our customers on the retail side of the company. I think I have done a very good job of describing the features and benefits of our products as well as handling difficult customer complaints in an effective manner. I think this knowledge and experience could also be add value to a number of other areas. I think I could be successful in training, auditing, quality or finance. I am passionate about our products and I think my passion shows in the quality of my work and my level of commitment to this company."

Third, you may be able to gain some information on what functions are expected to grow (or shrink) in both the long-term and the short-term. This knowledge can help you target areas in which there is planned growth that may translate into opportunities.

Lastly, make yourself memorable when asked this question (in a good way). Leave an image that can be visualized. I once had a candidate say to me "I like to leave a footprint where ever I have worked... in a good way. I left it better, improved, ahead of where we were when I first joined the team. I improved our service levels in the two years that I worked in that group." I still remember that candidate.

Q. My job search is now coming on 5 months, and I don’t understand where the offers are. I am doing what everyone says, I network, I use the job boards, I have as good resume, I am told I interview well. The big bases are covered. Everyone can improve something (I do know that) but am I doing anything wrong or is this just how it is?

A. The job search in this market can be a frustrating, challenging process. Everything you do in this public forum does matter. Each interaction counts, and how you present to every person becomes part of your story. People do talk about candidates within companies and between companies, and you want to make sure what your story is represents you as positive, professional, and an asset to any organization.

We know of situations where people have lost offers for being rude to receptionists, condescending to wait staff at lunch interviews, or because their etiquette was lacking. We know people who ask for a networking meeting and then don’t offer to pay for coffee or lunch. We can start a collection of worst behaviors exhibited by job seekers – feel free to send me your examples and experiences. There are many stories about people who hurt their candidacy by ignoring what they think are the little things, and when it is an employers market, the little things add up.

I’m not saying this is the case for you. The job search does take months and you need to use all methods, and probably with a lot more diligence than most people expect. The challenge is each of these many activities needs to be completed effectively, leaving a positive impression with each person you reach.

You have the big bases covered, so let’s review the “little things”.

Q: My wife returned to school part-time several years ago. She will be graduating in May of 2010 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Then we will be paying off her student loans. I am worried about her job prospects. She doesn't need benefits because I carry them for our family. I have been supportive about her return to school because she always regretted not having a degree. But all I hear is bad news about the job market and that this is like the Great Depression. Have we sunk money into a black hole?

A: First, congratulations to your wife (and to you for supporting her during her return to work). I think you both have made a very wise investment.

According to several sources, a bachelor's degree can significantly increase your earning power. The US Census reported "workers 18 and over with a bachelor?s degree earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree make an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734." And although it is now almost five years old, the College Board published an informative article entitled Education Pays. A copy of this article can be found at http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/press/cost05/education_pays_05.pdf. In short, the article summarizes the economic value of differing levels of education. It is not surprising that individuals with higher levels of education typically earn higher incomes.

Your wife's career interests are brilliant. As our population ages, we are all putting increased demands on our healthcare system. As the delivery of healthcare becomes more expensive, there is an increased demand for skilled nurses in almost all disciplines within health care. Think about the last time you visited your doctor's office. The nurse handles quite a bit of the upfront work that used to be handled by the physician. The nurse is a more efficient and less expensive provider.

We all think of hospitals and doctor's offices as the primary employers of nurses. However, nurses can also work "per diem" (per day) through health care agencies or visiting nurse associations. More and more nurses are also being employed by biotech or life science companies. These employers value the clinical skills, experience and training that an experience nurse can bring to the biotech world.

Overall, the job outlook for nurses is excellent. For more information, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 edition. This publication is available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The link is http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm#outlook. This is also a valuable resource for all job seekers who want to better understand the outlook for a variety of fields.

Your wife is entering (or perhaps re-entering) the workforce at a challenging time. Like all job seekers in 2010, she will likely have to work incredibly hard in her search. Those with persistence, focus and tenacity are landing jobs.

Elaine Varelas is back today to take all your job-related questions. So stop on by and get some tips.

Q. I was laid off 18 months ago from a job in the financial services industry, and have been looking for a full time position ever since. After months of looking, I took a contract position for 24-hours a week at a start up in a new industry and continued my job search. Part time seems to work for me even with the loss of almost half my paycheck; I have lots of flexibility, and can work from home or the office, which helps with child care issues. This summer I interviewed with a financial services company for a job a bit more junior to the one I had. The company said they liked me, but wanted to bring me in at a more senior level when that job opened up. I wasn’t even sure if I should believe that, and I continued my job search, and to contract. Well, the financial services company did mean it, and after five interviews, they offered me a full time position. So why am I confused about what I really want to do now and whether I should take the offer?

A. Congratulations are in order, no matter what you decide to do! Getting an offer is terrific, and finding a good contract also shows you have developed skills to sell yourself to hiring managers. You had a goal 18 months ago, and that was to replace what you lost – a full time job in an industry you knew. Being a resourceful and resilient person, when that goal couldn’t be met in the right timeframe, you added an interim goal – earn money! Many people have added that very same goal, and have found interim opportunities. Some of these opportunities have more to offer than others, and many job seekers are continuing to re-evaluate their initial career goals as the market changes as they gain new experiences.

As you look at where you are today, have your personal and career goals changed? You wanted secure work in the financial services sector. You wanted to replace your compensation. You had hoped to cut down your commute. At that time, those goals were so significant that you may not have thought much about alternatives, but when you were forced to rethink your situation; you came up with what you believed were short term goals, until your real goals started to work out. In the meantime your life and work experience changed. You have gained experience in a new industry whose outlook seems more promising to you. You find that you can cope with the loss of part of your income – which you were sure was not realistic, and the benefits of a flexible schedule seem to be better than you could have imagined. You are in the enviable position to have benefits through your spouse, and the loss of your retirement account, while significant, can be contributed to in other ways.

Now is the time to develop new goals, and test out a new reality. Some people look at their personal and professional goals on an annual basis. Others revise them based on life events, and still others see their goals after they meet them – or don’t. So after you develop these goals, evaluate the reality of your situation to see if what it offers can meet your goals.

How secure is your contract? How long do you anticipate the organization continuing to use your services? Do you anticipate a greater need for your services? Is there another way they might find to meet the responsibilities you currently cover? Job security is defined in many ways, and the more accurate information you have from your contract employer, the better. You may not want to turn down an offer without knowing what the longer term potential is for your contract. How long can you cope with the reduced income? In an accurate budget, have you forecast the number of months or years until something changes and your need for a greater income will materialize? Try to figure out what the circumstances would be that might make you regret either decision, and realistically assess the timeframe. The job outlook is improving slowly. Perhaps you are willing to take the risk that the contract offers you a more challenging future, and meets your current goals.

The options are here, and the choice is yours. Different people, based on their own personal goals and needs would most likely make different choices – all of them are right ones.

Q: I'm an experienced consulting professional in software development with some pretty specific expertise. I've been unemployed for over a year now, but have been resourceful and developed many short-term consulting and contract development 'gigs' in that time. I am, however, continuing to job-hunt and cultivate my professional network and often speak with recruiters. Recently I inquired about an advertised position, and was invited by the recruiter to send along my resume because he had another, unadvertised job that might be a fit. I did, without having the benefit of even knowing the job title or description. I was shocked at his response: "Thanks, but my client prefers candidates who are currently employed full-time."

Now, the obvious reaction is that I need to re-write my resume to do a better job of indicating that I've been working for myself, but my question is simply, is this reaction by a recruiter healthy? In a job market where one worker in 10 is currently unemployed and many more may be under-employed (like myself), should companies dismiss a job seeker because he's a job seeker!?

A: Your experience is not that unusual in our current job market. I hear this too frequently. Frankly, it is very unfortunate. In this job market, there are many, many talented candidates looking for new opportunities. A period of unemployment should not be a red flag (or a reason to dismiss a candidate based on a period of unemployment alone). Should a period of unemployment raise a yellow flag? Absolutely. The recruiter should probe and inquire about any gaps in employment. Sometimes though there are valid reasons. And a recession is often one of them.

You did learn some valuable information during this interaction with this recruiter. You do need to re-evaluate your resume and ensure that with one read (because that is all you and others are going to get now), that the reader understands that you have been working in either a contract or consulting capacity. One tip - try to avoid using months when you are writing your resume. Using the months (vs. years) seems to accentuate gaps within an employment history.

Recruiters are fighting tough times too. They are struggling to get paid for placements when companies are watchful about every expense. They want to place candidates and hopefully win more opportunities with their clients. In this market, recruiters are more reluctant to enter a confrontational dialogue with their clients. In better times, perhaps this recruiter would challenge their client's request a bit more by saying, "I understand your concern about interviewing an unemployed candidate. But I have talked to Jim. He was part of a massive layoff and the company moved from Massachusetts to California. Jim has never been unemployed prior to this short stint. I think he is a strong candidate and worthy of your time. He also has the CBSI certification, a 'hard to find' requirement for this role. Let's start with a telephone interview to determine if you think he is a strong candidate. Do you have time on Tuesday?"

I encourage you to continue to be resilient. You have been smart and resourceful thus far in landing short-term roles during this time. I encourage you to review your consulting roles. Are there full-time opportunities at these companies that might be available in 2010? If a company can test your skills, work habits and overall fit with the company for a period of time, this is often an effective way to transition into a regular full-time role.

Q. I have wanted to leave my job for over a year, but with the market being so unstable I decided not to take any risks. It hasn't really stabilized as much I would have liked, but I am ready to move on. I have had a few calls from search firms, and wondered if they can help me negotiate the severance I would get if I was laid off at my current employer, from my new employer if I get laid off in a short period of time. Is it possible to change jobs and minimize my risks?

A.  Data indicates that you are not alone in your hesitation to change jobs. Changing jobs in a good economy has risks, and in this unpredictable marketplace, people who are currently employed are concerned about the risks involved leaving a somewhat secure role, and taking a new job. No one wants to receive a sign on bonus that reads "LIFO - last in first out".

There are things you can do to minimize your risks at a new employer, and many of these take place during the research, interview and negotiation phases of a job search, in addition to your first 90 days on the job.

Researching any organization you are interviewing with needs to be completed with two approaches. The first approach to your research is as a candidate for the job. Your focus is on what you bring to the role, the skills you have, and how you can have the most positive impact on the organization as a whole. How does your background make you the most attractive candidate for this job?

Simultaneous research is approached as a major investor. Perform your due diligence on the company's financials, organizational strategy, recent and potential M&A activity, etc. In addition, utilize all of the informal methods available as well. If you are working with a search firm, their knowledge will prove invaluable. There are many industry or company specific blogs which provide accurate (and inaccurate) information which is worth further research. Read carefully recognizing that contributors may have a full range of motivations.

Equipped with terrific information about the company, the interview stage takes on a dual process as well. Your goal is to get the offer, and your research should have provided significant data to address the needs of the company, the role, the manager. You will also be knowledgeable enough to inquire on any area which caused you concern. Are they an acquisition target? Do the financials foreshadow any need for significant cost cutting?

Use the interview opportunity to find out more about what the situation is, and the future outlook for the organization. You can't eliminate all your risks, and your ability to negotiate typically will vary according to your level within an organization. Being more senior offers you a broader array of options. If you are concerned about a potential merger, you might discuss a change of control agreement which offers you severance. Asking about how the organization handles reductions and the practices related to severance and career transition support are considered reasonable questions, but most people would prefer to use the informal networks for that data.

The ideal happens when you do get the offer, and the research all looks positive. Your chances of success accepting this offer and taking this new job is increased because of the due diligence conducted to make an informed decision about the organization you are joining.

Q. The job market is so competitive, and trying to stand out from all the rest is a real challenge. I have looked at a few of the on line job help sites and some of them are offering video resumes. They aren't cheap, and I need to know if they work. Will companies look at the videos before they read a resume.

A. Trying to stand out as a candidate and differentiate yourself from other job seekers is a real challenge, and many people look for ways to get noticed and get hired. At the end of every academic year, there are stories about college students standing on major highways handing out resumes to try and get jobs. Every so often there will be a TV story about someone who rented a billboard to post resume information and a picture to try and get noticed and generate job offers.

Video resumes aren't quite that outlandish, but they aren't currently the most accepted method for companies to look for, or screen candidates, or for candidates to sell themselves. The complaint from companies often heard is video resumes are too time consuming, and hiring managers can't get to the information they really want as quickly as they would like.

There are certain professions which allow for a broader range of creativity in the development and delivery of job search tools like a resume, cover letter, or portfolio. When hiring for television, performing arts, sales, marketing, advertising, graphic or web design roles and even other technology opportunities, hiring managers and human resources staff are more willing to review "innovative" presentations which highlight the skills they are looking for in a successful candidate. Yet even in these professions, organizations are looking for traditional information delivered in a traditional method.

Companies who are willing to use video resumes most often evaluate a paper resume first and are interested enough to take the next step of reviewing the video resume. The goal of the video resume is to generate a face to face meeting, and there are sites like those you are considering, which will help you develop and produce a video resume.

Video resumes also raise concerns about the potential for discrimination related issues which companies are eager to avoid. The video resumes are often compared with long ago resumes of returning soldiers with pictures, which fell out of favor for many of the same concerns. This issue can be overcome with effective human resources practices.

The use of video in the job search process continues to grow as retained search firms and companies choose to limit travel costs and the effectiveness of web video increases. As video enters more aspects of the selection process, (and business in general) candidates must strengthen their video presentation skills. Most people are not skilled in the basics of public speaking, and while video offers unlimited retakes the challenges of video presentation are significant. If you are planning to invest in the video resume itself, invest in making your presentation highly professional television anchor worthy!

The New Year is only days away, and you may be preparing to follow through on that resolution to move up in your job, find a new job, or, simply, find a job. Careers expert and Job Doc contributor Pattie Hunt Sinacole can help put you on the right path. Pattie will chat today at noon, so come bearing questions.

Q. All this socializing is not making me very happy. I see lots of people but the focus seems to be my unemployment. Everywhere I go, people want to know if I have a job yet. "Are you working? What are you doing? Still collecting? You are so lucky to have time off!" I am not feeling lucky, and I am tired of saying - no I am not working yet. Do you have any witty comebacks that will politely (or even not so politely) tell people to back off?

A. Holiday job searches do provide their own unique challenges, yet there are a few gems to be found among the cookies and eggnog too! Witty comebacks might feel good for a moment or two, and perhaps we should generate a list just for the stress relief. Instead let's focus on what you gain by being social through the season, and really capitalizing on the hordes of fans and followers of your job search activity.

Networking is still the leading way to get a job. People focus on recruiters, and ads, and job boards, and sending cold letters and emails, but meeting people and talking about your skills, and the expertise you bring a company, is still the most effective way to turn job search activity into an offer of employment.

Preparing for all the activity, and the questions you anticipate will make the entire process easier to manage, and help you advance your job search. It may also provide just enough encouragement to ensure you accept the invitations!

Enlist the support of the host or hostess of the events you are invited to, and review the guest list. Whether the invitees are new to you, or people you know, review their professional background and connections on LinkedIn. Not only with you gain information on their current employer, you now have information about their employment history. Review contacts through their network at organizations of interest, and develop a list of people, or companies where they might be able to offer a supportive introduction.

Come to the event prepared to discuss your job search and the amazing people and organizations you have the opportunity to learn more about. Some of the people who ask about your search truly do want to help. Others may fear being in the same position you are in and are looking for confirmation that people do find work again. For those few people who may be just cranky enough to be throwing you a shot cloaked in good tidings, your sincere response of "Thanks so much for asking. I meant to connect with you about a few of your colleagues who I thought might be helpful. Let's get together in the next week or so to talk in more detail. I'll make sure to call you." Diffusing any opportunity someone has to annoy you should give you a bit of smile, and a great reason to move on and circulate with other people.

Take a clue from effective politicians - regardless of the questions you are asked, you have your response ready, and it always starts with "Thanks so much for asking." Still collecting? Thanks so much for asking. I meant to connect... There is no reason to address all concerns, but do take every opportunity to broaden your network.

At events do not forget the generations. Your contemporaries have parents and kids, and siblings who may be able to steer you towards people and organizations you would like to meet. Your goal at the events is to make a quick introduction, express interest in speaking with them in more depth at another time. You are at a social event, and don't want to monopolize people with your topic. Make the connection, let the person know you'd like to follow up, and then socialize!

This strategy can work with family too! A few deep breaths preparing for the questions will help, but have the great answers ready, and a mental list of other topics you'd rather discuss can make any holiday gathering enjoyable.

Q: What is the most effective way to get ahead in the long line of applicants for one position?

A: With the Massachusetts unemployment rate hovering around 9%, I hear your concern. The Labor Department announced in October of 2009 that there were, on average, 6.3 unemployed workers for every open job in the US. In December of 2007, there were 1.7 unemployed workers for every open position in the US. It sounds like you are feeling that increase which translates into stiff competition for each and every open role.

I contacted Paul Pasquarosa, Director of Client Services for the Boston office of Hire Aspirations, LLC. Pasquarosa recommends that each job seeker ask themselves the following questions:

1. Do I have my elevator speech down? What is an elevator speech? Your personal one minute infomercial.

If you were to receive a call right now from a potential employer and he told you that he was calling ten potential candidates for a job he had available, and he was inviting five in for a face to face interview and proceeded to ask you why you should be one of the five? Would you ace that phone call? If your answer is "no" then you are not ready. You will likely not be visiting face to face with a potential hiring manager unless and until you can communicate with passion your personal value proposition.

Q: I keep reading that the economy is picking up yet I still can't find a job and I have been out since February of 2009. When will the 'improving economy' translate into jobs in Mass?

A: Thanks for your question. It is sometimes difficult to read about positive signs in the economy if you are out of work. All the encouraging numbers and reports still don?t always translate into the ideal job for each worker looking for employment.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is back to talk about the world of work, so join us at noon to get all your burning questions answered.

Mondays are chat days. Elaine Varelas is here from noon to 1 p.m. to take all of your job-related questions.

Q: Where are the jobs these days? I have been looking at retail in and around my hometown. Is there an industry that is now hiring? Retail is especially of interest to me.

A: Unfortunately, you are not alone in wondering where the jobs are these days, but there does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Both Wall Street and Main Street received some unexpected good news last week when the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported new job losses were far fewer than had been forecast for the month of November. Although retail trade employment fell by 15,000 positions, there were hints this decline was driven by stores using temporary services to fill their seasonal needs instead of making direct hires. Also last week, the national unemployment rate dipped to 10 percent, a sort of unanticipated sign of optimism. Some feel that this may be a temporary dip though. Massachusetts is faring a bit better with the October 2009 unemployment rate falling to 8.9 percent.

Q. We all know that networking is the way to get a new job. I learned that after losing my job and surviving an eight-month job search. With no real network to start, it took me a while to develop contacts, and figure out how to ask people to help. I've been back at work 4 months now, and I am trying to help people who are still in the job search who I met along the way, and new people who are trying to get into my company. But it is overwhelming. I don't have time for a cup of coffee, or lunch or "just a short meeting". I don't want to be a jerk and just say no, but I am trying to prove myself at this new job. What else can I say?

A. Congratulations on your new job! You made it through the challenges of the new "average" length job search, and were able to develop a strong network to make that happen. Maintaining that network is going to be key for you, and I'm sure you sent out thank you notes to all as you were announcing your new job.

Part of developing a network is the reciprocity involved, and I appreciate that you want to support the people who helped you along the way, and others as part of giving back to the process. There are many people who lose their way at this point, and move to a "one way street". It is disheartening, and can motivate people to limit their networking support when they experience this callousness.

Protecting your time is nothing to apologize for, especially in a new job. Priorities change, and developing your reputation within a new organization is a well-understood issue. So define your work time. Is it an 8-hour day? A 10-hour day? Will you make lunch your own time or is it easier to meet new colleagues if you stay close to the office? Think about whether you'll take networking calls at work, or only respond to calls and emails after hours.

You may not be able to help everyone individually, but you may be able to support many people's job search activity. If you have websites you found most effective, or networking groups, or recruiters who were supportive, create an email signature, which can be included in your emails to people who are looking for not only contacts or leads but also advice and encouragement.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is chatting again today at noon. So while you're recovering from the long Thanksgiving weekend, or if you'd like to take a break from Cyber Monday shopping, stop on by join in.

Q: I have been a casualty of retaliation and age discrimination. (I am a 54 year old Asian female, Scientific Professional.) I was terminated from a large company in March, 2008 after four years of employment and lost nearly $30,000 vested benefit due to termination. The Massachusetts economy has gotten worst since then and I am still unemployed and looking and have lost all hope. I just want my reputation and possibly my job back. This company is always hiring. What is your advice for me to get my job back or any lawsuit possibilities?

Q. After two phone screenings, I was able to get invited to interview for a job I really want. Once I got there, the interviewer had me wait for 15 minutes while he "finished up a call". Then we started to meet, and within 5 minutes he took another call. No exaggeration, within the next half hour he took 4 more calls, and these weren't quick calls. He was totally distracted, and I don't think he knows anything about me. He did apologize, and ended by saying they'll be making a decision soon. I feel totally shortchanged. Can I do anything now? What should I have done?

A.Many people are too heavily scheduled, and have many demands on their time; however this isn't the way to deal with these issues. Putting down the phone and being focused on you is what this interviewer owed you, and his company. The interviewer was asked to be involved in the process because someone at the organization wanted his feedback -and though he maybe prepared to offer his comments, they offer no value regarding you as a candidate.

Elaine Varelas joins us today at noon for another Job Doc chat, so mark your calendars and ready your questions.

We're back with our weekly Job Doc chats today, when Pattie Hunt Sinacole will join us at noon. Stop on by and get help with your job search, work problems, or anything else employment-related.

Stop by today at noon as Elaine Varelas takes your job search and employment-related questions.

Karen Kaplan, president of Boston-based advertising agency Hill Holliday, as well as president of the Massachusetts Women's Forum, a group of 100 top female executives in the state, spoke with former Globe reporter Sasha Talcott about her unique career path, and also offered some advice for younger job seekers out there. Here's an excerpt:

Q: What career advice do you have for younger professionals?

I think being confident and optimistic is so important. You have to be really open to continuous improvement. You have to be curious, open and empathetic. These days, in particular, you have to be really versatile.

I just think if you're willing to outwork everyone one else, it's not very hard to do, frankly. From the very beginning, I thought, "If I work one more hour a day and a couple of hours on the weekend, I'll pass people who have a 10-year head start on me."

To read the full Q&A with Kaplan, click here.

Our weekly Job Doc chats are returning to Mondays in November. Join us today at noon as Pattie Hunt Sinacole holds court at noon. Bring all of your queries about getting a job, or dealing with those thorny issues in the workplace.

Q: I have been working temporary positions for the past two years and have not been able to get a permanent office position despite my numerous efforts. I am in my late 40's and wonder if that has something to do with it.

A: Your question is a good one but there could be other factors affecting the success of your job search. First, you are probably aware that many employers are shifting to an increased reliance on contingent labor. Companies have replaced full-time workers with outsourced options – whether they move one or more jobs to India or to the temporary firm around the corner. More workers have some type of contracting, consulting or temping on their resumes than even 10 years ago.

Q. I’ve been looking for a job for five months and am really frustrated. In this economy, I feel desperate, because there are SO many applicants. I have read all the job books on getting a job, but nothing seems to work. What does?

A. The job doc gets many questions commenting on the frustration of the job search process and noting the number of months that make the entire process so difficult. To job seekers who have been actively looking, and doing a great job on job search activity for more than twelve months, (and yes that is possible) five months seems like just the beginning.

A current job seeker wanted to share his perspective on time measured in job search days, and the need to stay positive in a process filled with rejection, fear, judgment, frustration, anger and sadness. It can be a challenge to find anything positive to combat the previous list, and these thoughts might get you started.

"It wasn't hard for me to realize early in my job search that it was probably going to take a while to land a new position. And, early activity indicated that the journey was going to carry me through some pretty discouraging lows - if I let it. I decided that I needed to change my perspective and my expectations for this effort.

My perspective change was simply realizing that I now have an opportunity to control my time, and where I choose to spend it. How nice! I now view this time as a rare opportunity to do some things I never had a chance to do.
And, I have no time to waste - as this opportunity will be gone before I know it - giving way to a new position with its own unique challenges and rewards. So, I'm making sure I ENJOY the time and being careful not to waste it.

My expectations had to be re-calibrated. Calls from HR folks or recruiters for interviews have not been exactly filling up my calendar. It's even been a challenge to get informational meetings with any consistent success. The fact is, given the economy, companies are very cautious. So, the cycle time to land a new role will be longer. This added time allows me to build on a couple of areas:

- Professional knowledge: I now have opportunities to learn new facets about my areas of interest, take some training, join a professional organization, and research prospective companies.
- Networking: I now have opportunities to go to networking sessions and meet someone new, go to professional association meetings which keep me in touch with the industry, and I keep in regular contact with folks in my network.

Combined, it keeps me VERY busy. The point though is that each time I succeed in one of these areas (and it doesn't have to be big - say, I found an article and passed it on to someone and they respond with a "thanks") - I have what I call "A SUCCESS". At first, it doesn't sound like much, but I have come to realize that each "SUCCESS" builds on itself. And usually, each one enhances both some knowledge gap as well as enhancing a network relationship - in both directions.

Over a short period of time, these little wins do add up. And the great part is that you begin to see yourself in a positive light and making progress towards landing that new role. Like anything else you do, you've got to stay with it for weeks to build the habit and start to experience the benefit. The key though is to take small steps and acknowledge each event, however small, as a "SUCCESS" - as this helps provide a metric to plot your growth and keep discouragement in check. It's not to say I don't have an occasional set back. When that happens, I unplug from this effort and focus on something in my personal life that I enjoy doing.

I know this all sounds rather simple, and it may look like I am just deluding myself. However, as importantly as building my network and enhancing my knowledge is, I have come to realize that this approach has begun to enhance my demeanor as well - which is the BIG key. I am really beginning to enjoy (yes enjoy) opportunities, however small, to engage in mutual enhancement opportunities. I can't wait for the next one to come around the bend. And, if it doesn't, I will initiate one. Again, it's not hard to do - and it doesn't have to be big. And, the really interesting part is that other people start to see it in you as well.

I have not yet landed a new role - which is obviously a key goal - but now not the only goal. And, I am beginning to have opportunities to discuss and share ideas further with folks at a couple of companies. This may or may not lead to a job, but it will lead to enhanced relationships, developing area(s) of knowledge, and creating yet another SUCCESS. All of which prepares me even further for my next role - and I believe moves me closer to it."

Keep at it - be flexible, creative, and positive - you'll move closer to your goals.

Elaine Varelas is back today to help solve all of your work-related problems. Stop by at noon to follow the chat, or arrive a little earlier to get your questions in beforehand.

Q: Do reference letters work when it comes to verifying old references? I have several old reference letters from former managers who have retired or moved away. Are these helpful? I have been told from some that they are helpful but others say they are useless. Some of these letters date back to 20 or more years ago.

Q. I have been hoping to work for a specific company for as long as I can remember. I went as far as to move out of state over 4 years ago to take a position in a less competitive market to gain the necessary experience.

How long do I chase this “dream job” and what are steps that I can take to force a call to action without seeming desperate or pushy?

A. Having a target and showing the tenacity to go after what you want can be wonderful - especially if it is part of a long term plan. An effective job search involves long term strategy, lots of follow up, and as you can see sometimes disappointment and confusion. Do I think you are done here? No not yet. Part of being involved in the job search is also recognizing what might be going on for the other side of the equation.

One of our intrepid Job Docs - Pattie Hunt Sinacole - is back for our weekly chat series designed to help you get a job in these tough times. Or, even if you have a job, but want advice on how to deal with workplace issues, Pattie can help you there as well. So stop on by for the chat today at noon.

Q. I am not doing very well looking for a job, and I know I need help to make it happen. There are lots of career counseling companies and 'get-a-job' books, and there seem to be too many places online to find real help. What works? I don't have a lot of money and I need a job.

A. The world of job search is a huge challenge right now for all levels of job seekers. The US Department of Labor says there are six job seekers for each available job, which means you need to be skilled not only at finding the job opportunities, but at competing for the limited number of jobs available as well.

You will be best prepared if you have multiple targets and a broad view of the kinds of positions you are capable of filling. This is true whether you are an executive or an hourly worker. Also, do not take for granted any interaction you have representing yourself as a job seeker whether it is in your cover letter or in an actual interview.

There are many places to get job search support, and they range in cost from free to thousands of dollars, with many price points in between. Consider all state services through the unemployment offices (in your state), and one stop career centers. Start with www.Mass.gov, and then click on “jobs and employment”. You'll see the Division of Career Services section, where there is information about seminars to support your job search activities, in addition to a job bank so that you can do a keyword search to find openings. Maximize your use of these resources. Employers are encouraged to list jobs here in addition to private search listings.

Still stuck in a jobless rut? Want some ideas on how to handle your latest workplace fiasco? Need some resumé tips? Then have no fear, Elaine Varelas is here.

Elaine is back to run our weekly Job Doc chat this coming Tuesday at noon. As always, everything related to the world of work is in play, so drop on by and see what advice Elaine has for you.

Q. I have been in hourly jobs that don't pay anything. I need a career with a future, and I don't want to go back to school. I need a skill, and I was told there is money for retraining available. Where is the retraining money, and for what kinds of jobs?

A. Many people are looking at opportunities to retrain, retool, and reframe their careers. There is grant money available and there are training programs to be found. The Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development (http://web.detma.org/jobseeker/tr1.asp) has information on a broad range of training programs. You can search their site by many criteria including occupation, or key word. There are job training programs, and an education reward loan program for over 70 occupations. Contact your local Career Center for eligibility and information about the courses.

Still flummoxed about how to get a job? Then join us for our weekly Job Doc chat. This week, Pattie Hunt Sinacole is back in the saddle to help you figure out the employment maze. Any and all questions about the world of work are welcome.

Q. I am conducting a job search right now and am currently on my husband’s health benefits. Therefore, I will not be taking part in the health care benefits plan of any company who offers me a job. Should I use this as a bargaining tool for a higher salary? It seems to me that this will be saving the company a large sum of money by not accepting their health care coverage.

A. Looking at what you are willing to negotiate for, and what you want most out of an offer is a good starting strategy. You are also trying to prepare for the offer conversation in advance, and creating a list of your high priorities and lower priorities can prove valuable as you move into that stage of the job search.

You are right that health care benefits for employees is a significant cost to employers, and many companies are looking at double digit increases in their health care plans for the same or less benefit coverage. As a result companies are looking for ways to cut these costs, and the changes being made are significant.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is back today for our weekly Job Doc chat series designed to help you navigate the job market.

Having trouble with your job search? Career expert Pattie Hunt Sinacole is back for our weekly Job Doc chat. This week we're pushing the chat back an hour - Pattie will take your questions starting at 1 p.m.

Q. What would you suggest is the appropriate way to follow up a cover letter and resume sent via email? Generally when these are sent in response to a classified type ad, the ad says "No phone calls, please." However the norm for firms seems to be to never respond to applicants at all. I find this trend very inconsiderate although understandable in the current economic climate. Is there anyway to get past the email wall and find out whether the firm is still hiring or not?

M. O., Belmont, MA

A. You’re trapped in a Catch 22: you’ve got a problem if you act and you’ve got a problem if you don’t act. If an employer says “No phone calls, please” what does calling say about your ability to follow directions? So, let’s take making a phone call off the table right away. One alternative is to do some sleuthing to find out the name of a person in the HR department who you can contact by email. Check the company’s web site and see if personnel are listed. Or, call the department and ask who you can contact and what their email address is. A third option is to work your network to see if anyone you know can give you the name of a person to contact.

Q: My organization is undergoing intensive restructuring and reorganization. As a result, 30 management level positions were eliminated. We have a 3-month transition where we still are in our current roles. If I am job searching during this 90-day period where I am still at the company, should I say that my position has been eliminated or is it best to share instead that I am looking for new opportunities and challenges?

This week's Job Doc chat starts a bit later than normal - at 12:30 p.m. That should give you an extra half hour to gather up all the questions you've ever wanted to ask about the world of working.

Q: I am in a dead-end job and am frustrated about the job market. It seems there are so many candidates for one job. I don’t want to quit my current job but I am very unhappy with many things about this company. I think my co-workers share my thoughts too. There is very little opportunity here. Any advice?

A: I am sorry that you feel so frustrated. You are not alone. I have received a lot of comments like yours, especially in the last few months. I think there are many people gainfully employed who are very frustrated and dissatisfied with their current roles. Reasons may include – those employed are doing the jobs of several (other roles have been cut), there are few internal opportunities within your company or there are fewer external opportunities outside of your company. There are others that are working in a contract or part-time role, when what they truly want is a full-time role with benefits.

Pattie is back this coming Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 12:30. Come ready with your job search questions!

Q. I believe I will be getting an offer. Given the current economy, and employment situation, can I negotiate my salary? If so, what factors should I consider while asking for certain salary range?

A. In a competitive market, people worry about "starting over", making less, or being taken advantage of by hiring organizations. In a job market where you may feel lucky to get a job offer, you may also be tempted to take what you can get in terms of an employment package. However, you don’t have to settle for the first offer just because we are in a recession. So, how do you negotiate and what do you consider?

Know When to Start
- Negotiations always begin AFTER you get an offer. Each interaction you have should increase the value they see in what you offer, and enhance the potential they see. Your goal is to build their need to have you join the organization.

Preparation is Critical:
- Do your homework – When you identify target positions and industries, research the current market value for your skill sets. You can do this by querying your network (using Linkedin, Jigsaw and others) to determine what the industry standard is based on your discipline and level of experience. You can also use your network to determine whether the company has been known to make competitive offers or not.

- Create the list of what matters to you, and prioritize the must have’s and the nice to have’s.

- What do they want? - During the interview process, listen to what the company’s most critical needs are and prepare the cased for why you'll exceed expectations in terms of the value you will add. .

- Think broadly – Salary and vacation are two components most candidates focus on, but you can also negotiate things like relocation expenses, your title, percentage of travel time, cost of health benefits, commuting subsidies and the option to telecommute.

When you Get the Offer -
Say "Thank you for this offer. I am excited about the opportunity, and know I will be able to make significant contributions to the company." Get the offer in writing and then take the time to review everything that is included.

- Prioritize – Decide what you really want and focus on it, be willing to be creative and balance the give and take.

- Be realistic – It’s okay to ask for more especially if you have done your market research with competitive organizations. How you handle this situation will show your professionalism, and is often considered to be a highlight of things to come - for both sides. Ask for what you think is fair based on your experience, the complexity of the position, and the market rate, keeping in mind the value of the position to the organization.

Negotiation is a natural part of the hiring process, so be positive, professional and focused; not only on what you want, but also on the talents you will bring to their organization in return.

Elaine Varelas is back to take your questions on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at noon. As always, come equipped with your employment-related questions.

Q. I am thinking of leaving my job. Once I give my notice, is it really necessary during my exit interview with HR to list the real reasons I am going? (Tired of inefficient management, poor leadership, poor facilities issues, a personal conflict with an annoying employee that doesn't do his share of the work, being lied to or treated rudely by other employees...) I like my boss and most of the people in my department, and would like to stay in touch with them even after I leave. I doubt if sharing my reasons for leaving would change things, but should I do it anyway? Is honesty the best policy, or is a tiny white lie such as "moving on for a bigger challenge" more professional?

A. It seems like you have lots to say about why you are thinking of leaving your job, and your instinct about being professional will really be important if you do decide to take part in an exit interview.

Companies use exit interviews or exit surveys to gather all sorts of information about the organization including the environment, the facilities, employee development, how you have been managed, the culture, what made you think about leaving, right up to why you finally took the plunge. Most companies truly want information that will help them become a better organization, and if you have constructive comments, they can prove very valuable.

Job Doc and career expert Elaine Varelas is back again for another chat on Tuesday at noon. We'll open the chat room for questions about an hour before the chat starts.

Q. I am temping at a company and was recently interviewed for a permanent position. I thought the interview went very well, but now I am wondering what the etiquette regarding thank you notes is in this situation. I have been here several weeks and am already familiar with the person with whom I interviewed. Should I still send a thank you note, even though I see this person every day? Or does this come off as a little too demanding?

A.Demanding? I don't see thank you notes or personal thanks as too demanding, even if you see the person every day. In fact, sending a thank you after all interviews are welcome, and even more important in your situation.

Companies use temporary workers for many reasons. Temps are used to cover for leaves of absence, for fluctuations in workloads that continue to be subject to change, as a way to test of which skill set might be most suited to a role, or to review a candidate in a role without a longer term commitment. People choose to temp for similar reasons, especially in more challenging economic times. Temps get the opportunity to try out different roles, and different companies which can help them determine if there is a good match for a longer term position.

Job Doc and career expert Pattie Hunt Sinacole returns on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at noon to answer all of your job search questions. We'll open the chat room about an hour before the chat starts.

Q. My husband has been out of work for six months. While he has had a few interviews, none have resulted in job offers. My question is concerning his sending out resume after resume with no response. Should he be looking to work with more headhunters, although they have been of little help in his search, or perhaps there is some other resource he is unaware of? His efforts are great in trying to obtain a job. It just seems fruitless to continually apply blindly to jobs he finds on the internet. Can you advise?

A. Looking for a job can be a time consuming, frustrating process filled with dead ends and activity that seems to have no pay off. He is generating interviews which is a good sign. Having support while trying to find the right opportunity can make this often ego-damaging situation less stressful, and letting your husband know you think his efforts are great is a good start.

What many job seekers don't realize is that they have a new career - and that career is sales. Until you are a successful sales person, selling yourself into a job, you don't get to go back to your previous field, or your new target job. Successful sales people will tell you that being effective means doing the right activities, the right number of times. The job search is very similar.

In general, there are 4 ways to get a job. Some are much more effective than others, and they are the methods that are more challenging. Let's say you have 30 hours a week to conduct a job search. Plan on dividing your time so that you focus on high impact activity most, and low impact activity least. Surprisingly, most job seekers do not.

Method 1. Most career and employment professionals will tell you that 60 to 70 percent of job seekers find their jobs through networking. People hear this yet, most job seekers do not dedicate the time it takes to develop a really effective network.

Experience has shown me that a successful job search at the manager/director level takes about 140 face-to-face networking meetings. You might think that there is no way you can meet this many people. You have more tools now to make this work than ever before. LinkedIn can help you network; college alumni associations, former colleagues; golf buddies; your spin class pals, your hairdresser; your kids teacher.....you get it.

You might be able to make these meetings happen in 4 or 5 months, or 6 or 8 months or longer. Your goal is up to you. But if 60 percent of people get their jobs this way, this is where you want to spend your time. Learn how to network well, develop the skills; provide your contacts with a list of your targets companies, and follow up regularly.

Method 2. Your next activity is focused on placement firms. Based on your level, you might try to work with retained firms, or contingency firms. Remember that these firms work for the company to find the right person - they do not work for you to find you a job. You are encouraging your husband to work with search firms, and he should try to do that, however in this economy, placement firms are struggling with very few jobs to fill. They are typically highly specialized roles, and not positions for career changers, or people who do not fit the exact specifications outlined by the company.

Develop a robust LinkedIn profile, and use it. Search firms use this tool and others to find people. Find the right firms for your function or industry, make sure they have your resume, and move on. If they can make a match, they will. In good times, about 15 to 20 percent of job seekers get their jobs through placement agencies.

One of our resident Job Docs - Pattie Hunt Sinacole - will be joining us for another Job Doc chat this coming Tuesday, Aug. 11, at noon.

We'll open the chat room a few hours before the noon start time on Tuesday, so hold off on your job-hunting questions until then.

Q. I am looking for a new job with my present company. I've missed a lot of work due to chronic illnesses in the last year and I've received a written warning. In the last two months, I have been on new treatments and have been progressively better, and have not missed one day of work. But all a prospective hiring manager will see is my past history and my written warning. How can I handle this when applying for a job internally? If my good attendance continues, the warning will still be on my record, and no one gives a citation for improved attendance.

A. It's great to hear that your health is getting better, your new treatments are helping, and that your attendance at work is improving. Two months is a good start, and I think your manager would like to see an even longer track record before he or she would be willing to recommend you for an internal transfer.

It is important to know how the organization views you as an employee. Are you a long term employee? Are you someone newer to the company? How has your performance been evaluated other than the attendance issue? You need to be aware of how your entire performance is viewed so that you can strengthen your reputation in the right areas.

Q. A fellow at a think-tank wants me to be his new assistant, but the organization's recruiting people will only hire applicants from top-tier universities. He and I have worked together in the past. I graduated from a decent but relatively unknown private college (3.9 GPA). I published research with faculty as an undergrad and served on the national board for the field's honor society. I am also half-way through a master's program at a prestigious school.

I am not the entitled type, but this is bordering on ridiculous. I picked my college based on the financial aid package they offered me in my senior year of high school. It's unclear to me how it should be an issue now. We both anticipate this being a problem but don't know how to approach it.

We're bringing back the Job Doc chats when career expert and Job Doc Elaine Varelas joins us today (Tuesday, Aug. 4) at noon. Come equipped with all of your job-related questions. We feature a new chat every Tuesday in August, and possibly beyond.

The chat room is now open, so start getting your questions in.

Q. I work for a large, private employer in the healthcare field. Recently, we were informed that we will have to verify all our dependents for benefits eligibility. The listed documentation includes tax returns and bank statements. Is it legal and appropriate for an employer to demand access to private documents, especially when law enforcement officials need a warrant for the same access? Of course, employees can choose not to comply, but that could cost them healthcare coverage.

A. Proving your identity and protecting your identity is more challenging because of the virtual world, and advances in printer, copier, and web technology. I recently saw an ad "requesting a social security number and certified transcripts to ensure the accuracy of all data provided by candidates". Authenticity of data will continue to be an issue for employees and employers, and developing a method to accommodate requests which will provide you with benefits, while protecting your privacy will be needed.

Q. How do you use references? I was laid off and asked for written references from my supervisor and manager. They said they would give me good references but they don’t want to write anything. What’s up with that?

A. References do make a difference for all levels of job seeker, and preparing your references to support your candidacy can make the difference between getting an offer or not.

It’s great that your supervisor and manager will provide you with good references, and I commend you for asking. Some people who have been laid off are reluctant to ask, and they should not be. Asking for a positive reference is smart – even if you may not actively use the person as a reference. You remind the person that you need positive comments about your work, and typically from their response, you’ll discover if you want to take the reference preparation process to the next step of reviewing your resume and discussing the areas where you want focus. Even if you ask someone to be a reference, if you aren't convinced they will do a great job for you, don't use them.

Written references continue to be needed in a few industries, academia being one, but most organizations have policies preventing employees from providing written references. Liability issues have caused this to be the case, and hiring organizations know this because they most likely have a similar policy.

I believe verbal references are the most valuable. You have the opportunity to prepare your reference. Review your resume with the prospective reference. Make sure they understand your accomplishments, and can address these very positively. Point out the areas you really want them to highlight for a prospective employer, and make sure your work style is also discussed in the most positive terms. Your reference should be consistent, but not identical. They need to speak from their own experience with you, and address different areas of your strengths, and why you would make the perfect hire.

Q: I am 17 weeks pregnant and have an incredible opportunity for a new job. I will be going for my second interview and I am not sure how to handle this with my potential new employer.

A: This sounds like a very attractive opportunity for you. This dilemma is indeed a challenge for a job seeker. However, pregnant women get hired every day for new jobs.

Q. Is there a way to get people to actually read the cover letters I send? Why do companies ask us to send emails with a cover letter and resume? Do people even read their emails anymore? I spend a lot of time on tailoring my emails. Does it matter?

A. The number of emails and cover letters flooding inboxes is astronomical, yet somehow hiring managers, human resources professionals, and recruiters find ways to sort candidates who are easily selected, or eliminated from the "potential interview" pile. Your job as a great candidate is to find ways to help the screener keep you moving toward to an interview.

Recently Job Doc received a great email from a reader offering three suggestions to candidates who want to differentiate themselves to prospective employers. The author's company posted job listings that stipulated all applicants respond via email. The suggestions forwarded to Job Doc are in response to the emails received from some applicants. They include:

Q. As part of the search for a new position, I’ve had to travel to prospective employers for interviews. In the last two months I had one interview that was 208 miles from home — which cost me a total of $117.10, including tolls. I asked for reimbursement from the Human Resources person the day after the interview. The other interview was 244 miles, totaling $135.20. On this occasion I asked my potential manager who to contact for reimbursement. After numerous attempts, I finally gave up on trying to be reimbursed per customary business travel expense practices. Was I correct in asking for travel expenses? Was my timing correct? I am currently out of work so the reimbursement would be helpful.
A. G., Methuen, MA

Q: My daughter is entering college in the fall. She is confused and unsure of what type of career to pursue. We want her to be able to land a job after graduation. We are fine with her taking some enjoyable classes but we look at college as a way for her to build skills and hopefully find a better and more stable job than if she had never graduated college. What career paths will guarantee her a job after she graduates? This is a big investment!

A: How wonderful that your daughter is beginning a new chapter of her life in the fall! Most high school graduates are unsure of a definite career path. That’s ok. Many of us did not figure out our career paths until college or even later.

Your daughter will learn a bit more about her likes and dislikes as well as her strengths and weaknesses as she progresses through her college coursework. She may realize that she enjoys statistics but creative writing is a struggle. Or she may learn that she works better independently than on a team or in a small group. Internships, summer jobs and part-time jobs while she is a student can also help her better understand some of her work-related skills and preferences. There are many learnings that occur outside the classroom at college too. She will learn more about time management, how to negotiate conflict and how to effectively advocate for herself.

Q: I have been out of work now for nearly four months. I have had many interviews and great leads through networking. Still nothing has panned out. Given this economy and with so many people being out of work searching for jobs, I find it frustrating when the HR rep/hiring manager do not get back to you with updates on the interviewing progress. I have had to call or email (numerous times) to get updates, many only met with silence. Is it too much to ask for status updates from HR without solicitation? I know we are all busy, but I really believe that is an important practice now-a-days. I find it bad practice if an organization does not communicate any status when unemployed people need that information to move on. You think you are still in the running to only find out an offer was made weeks ago to another candidate. Do I long for the days of the rejection letters in the US mail? At least it was closure.

Q. It has been years since I looked for a job. Now I'm told I need to have a "brand", a "web presence", and make sure people know I'm current. I'm current in my field, just not everything else! So where do I start?

A.Looking for a job has changed dramatically. Technology and social networks have had a big impact on how effective a job seeker can be, and how knowledgeable they must be to be considered a viable candidate. Hiring managers can also be very resourceful and find out a great deal about you with only your name and the internet at hand. Career Builder cites 22% of hiring managers use social networks for background checks.

Who you are on the web reflects your "web presence"". You can choose to ignore that information and let people find whatever is out there, or you can be an active contributor and ensure there is information that reflects you in the most positive way. You might choose to start by completing the "vanity Google". Check your own name on Google, Linkedin, and Facebook. If there is any less than professional information on any of these, I encourage you to check other sites, including Plaxo, and Zoom info just to make sure you are starting out with a clean reputation.

Scott Monty, Head of Social Media at Ford, says “What happens in Vegas stays in Google” to illustrate this issue.

Q: I know, or at least, I've heard that a lot of employers look at social sites when considering resumes of potential new hires. My problem is that there is at least one other person out there (in the same region, no less) with my name. So while I've kept off the social sites in an attempt to keep my reputation clean and clear, anyone looking up my name might mistakenly think I'm this other person. Is this likely to cost me interviews? Should I be worried about it?

Q. I have a question about trying to find a new job now that I am pregnant. What is the best way to deal with my pregnancy during the job search, and when is the best time to bring my situation up with potential employers? I don't want to scare off someone who may want to hire me, knowing that I will only be available for a few months, and then out on maternity leave, then back after my leave. I know that being pregnant doesn't make me a "protected" class from a legal standpoint. I also don't want to take a job and hide the pregnancy until after starting the new job, if that will be seen as withholding key information. Any advice?

Q: What about dealing with employers who doubt your interest in and ability to move within a reasonable amount of time? Should you put a friend's Boston-based address on your resume just to get initial consideration?

A: This is a very real concern. With the hundreds and perhaps thousands of resumes to review, the hiring manager or recruiter may be looking for ways to screen out potential mismatches. An out-of-state address on a resume is certainly one factor that may put a candidate in the “no interest” pile.

Q. I was a health care manager for years in Boston. Then I decided to
work in international health and lived overseas for a number of years. I chose to return to Boston in time for this serious economic recession. I'm networking, applying, interviewing, checking websites, etc. While I'm waiting for a job offer, I need to make some money. But temp agencies see my resume and can’t help me. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pay my bills?

A. This is a great question for all job seekers. What can I do to earn money while I continue my job search? I know you didn’t mean to imply you were “waiting” for an offer, and you meant to say while you were conducting a full scale search using all your resources.

Assessing your skills is an initial step in all job searches, and completing a similar assessment as you look for contract work or short or long term projects can help you become more effective selling the results you can deliver, and the organizational support you can provide.

While I am sure this economy is not the welcome back you had planned for, I hope you are beginning to see more activity in the health care market. Until you find the right full time opportunity, try and identify the skills you bring which can be compartmentalized into projects that organizations may need completed. Many organizations have hiring freezes right now. They can not add to headcount, but there is a significant need for additional work to be done. And if it is following a lay off, there may be an ever greater need for additional support to complete work, or find temporary solutions while projects are reorganized.

As a health care manager, can you identify times when there were greater needs for high intensity work? Maybe a Joint Commission visit increases a needed for organization of paperwork. Do you have those skills? You lived overseas – do you have language skills that can be utilized for some kind of project?

Do your network colleagues know you are available for projects? Let them know, and give them ideas for the types of work you would be available to do. Examples I have seen include a former recruiter looking for her next role, screening candidates for a small business owner looking to hire.

Are you in development? You may look at commencement related projects that may need an extra set of skilled hands, or large scale events held by an array of philanthropic organizations looking for experienced talent. Certainly they would love volunteers who may support your networking, and at another level they recognize contracting for more senior abilities will be worth the cost.

How are your technology skills? Can you help a company design or complete a special project? If you are a marketing person, consider offering the ability to complete templates for internal communications. Most organizations have projects they have not been able to get to. Design it and sell it.

Q. I am graduating from college in January 2010 and I am very nervous about full-time employment opportunities in this recession. What can a soon-to-be college grad do to make themselves more attractive to an employer?

A. A college education makes a difference over a lifetime of the US worker. Research indicates that those full-time US workers who hold a college degree earn more over their lifetimes compared to those full-time workers in the US who don’t hold a college degree. But back to your job search.

I lost my job 3 months ago. I am having a hard time with how hard it is to find a job. I have 2 kids in college and my "rainy day fund" has a huge leak. Most recently I made about $150,000 a year, and there aren't that many positions at this level I see. There are jobs at lower levels though - jobs I did 2 levels ago, and about half the compensation. I don't want to go backwards but I do need the money. Can I get one of these jobs? Should I go after them? What happens to my career in the long run? Will I be playing catch up forever?
Anonymous

A. Financial fear can be debilitating and make job seekers desperate. This does nothing to enhance chances of being hired, and hiring managers avoid people who don't project confidence.

First, deal with reality. What is your actual financial situation? Bleak needs to be quantified. Have you eliminated as many expenses as possible? Is it possible to deal without many things especially if you can say “For now, I will not spend on XX" and start naming all the things you think you can part with, and all those things you don't think you can part with either. Be aggressive in cutting. There are many free resources suggesting ways to cut back, including talking to banks and credit card companies. Colleges and universities may be willing to make small accommodations as well - as long as they occur prior to graduation, or the end of a semester. You need to give yourself options, and additional financial freedom will do that.

Have you exhausted severance? Many people want to bank severance, and have an unrealistic view that they should be able to save some if not most of it. It doesn't sound like that is your case. How much will unemployment cover in your current situation? Do you have any savings accessible? How much debt do you have available? At what cost? Having the brutal financial facts available will help you understand your situation.

Q. After I graduated from college last May, I spent the summer looking for a job. Since the fall, I have been working as a temp. For the past two months, I have been with the same company. Before that. I worked at several temp jobs. On my resume, how can I best include the experience?

A. Because of the current economic crisis, it is not that unusual for a recent college graduate to remain in a temporary role through the fall and even into the spring. At least you are gaining valuable “real life” work experience. Temping can sometimes get a bad rap, but less frequently these days. On the positive side, temping can expose you to different industries, work environments, and types of roles. Often temporary positions help you identify your true strengths (and weaknesses). Temporary roles can also help you define what activities and roles that you may enjoy and those that you may not. These are important learnings for you as a professional. In Massachusetts (a state with one of the highest percentages of college graduates -- over 35 percent), an undergraduate degree remains very valuable.

Q. In a job climate that is currently loaded with Human Resource candidates,
how do I go about standing out in the crowd and even having my resume reviewed? I have 12-plus years experience in recruitment, training/performance development, and organizational development being my main focus areas.

A.Your question could actually be about any specific functional role for job seekers, not just human resources. The market is more competitive than ever, and every interaction you have needs to be powerful, memorable, and better than every other job seeker out there.

To make that happen, you need to have an impactful "brand", and Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0 - Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (Kaplan Publishing) has advice and an action plan to offer on personal branding and career success.

Building your brand, and making sure people recognize you for the strengths you bring has certain low tech followers in people who are skilled networkers, and those who select their references for diversity in addition to preparing them perfectly to sell their skills. Dan helps those entering the high tech and very current world of social networking make themselves known in the most positive and proactive ways.

Developing the brand becomes the "how-to" - but first you need the content of your brand - regardless of what your functional specialty is. Since you asked about human resources, I asked 3 outstanding HR colleagues to share their thoughts about achieving success in this job market for human resources staff. For people with other functional specialty areas, I encourage you to approach respected colleagues and ask the same question. Susan Treadway, Dave Denaro, and Penny Locey outlined the focus for hr professionals:

Q. I am a recently laid off worker and I have over 25 years of experience in high technology. For the first time in 12 years, I need to create a resume to show to a prospective employer. I have changed positions several times in the past, but the resume was only a formality then, the position was narrowed down to only a couple of candidates before the interviews began and resumes were reviewed. I started leaving off my early college co-op jobs a number of years ago and I am considering leaving off my first 12-year long position because the specific technology skills (programming in COBOL, FORTRAN and BASIC) are now quite stale, but I do still utilize the analysis skills that I developed during that time as a programmer analyst.

Would it be better to leave that time listed but with just the relevant skills highlighted? I also wonder if my experience is working against me now. Employers seem to want a proven employee, someone with 3-5 years of experience, but after 10 years it seems that the assumption is that young workers are more malleable and fresher than a senior worker.

Q. I recently applied for a job advertised on Monster.com. I sent a cover letter with my resume as an attachment following their request in the posting. It's been a few weeks and I've not heard back so I sent a follow up letter reiterating my interest and confirming that my resume was received . Still no response. Should I give up and move on, assuming the position has been filled or should I try one more time, hoping the Human Resource Dept. will respond to my emails?

A. I am sorry to say that your experience is pretty common, especially in our current economic climate. In Massachusetts, our current unemployment rate is just about 7 percent, the highest it has been in more than a decade. Employers will post a job, and literally hundreds - sometimes thousands - of applicants apply. Many of the candidates are qualified but many are not. Many candidates are blasting their resumes to any/all open opportunities listed on job boards in hopes that somehow the employer will contact them, even if not for this particular role. I am sure that you have heard this from fellow job seekers. "It wasn't what I really wanted, but I would take it to get my foot in the door." Or "At least I know they have my resume, in case an opening becomes available in XYZ department."

Q. Help! I have lots of experience looking for jobs but each time it gets harder to explain why I am looking again. Almost fifteen years ago I went through a series of bank jobs as everywhere I worked seemed to be merged and I was on the losing side. I went through 5 jobs with less than 2 years at each, and I am afraid this is starting again. Financially I am a mess, but the worst of it is I feel like a loser, and I'm pretty sure my family and friends think that too. If they think so, how will I convince a new employer I'm a good person and (I think) actually good at my job?

A.You really have been through some tough times, and I wish I could tell you it will be easier now, but that may not be the case. Losing a job is most often painful, and going through these losses multiple times takes a toll on your self confidence. Rebuilding that confidence can often be the most important step in a new job search, and I encourage you to take the time to do that.

There are many industries that have gone through significant changes over the years, and employees have been impacted more greatly than others. The 80's had "high tech nomads"; employees in technology companies who were laid off on a regular basis as the fortunes of their companies rose and fell - seemingly with the wind. The 90's, as you know, saw a banking crisis and small banks buying bigger banks, and trading in staff that often faced long term unemployment. And skip to today - with layoffs striking the financial services industry and moving into others as well. So though it may not help, you are not alone in this plight. And hiring managers know that. Sadly, everyone feels the statistics are written about other people but not them.

Q: I recently graduated from college as a poli-sci major and did a one-year stint volunteering for a grammar school as part of a non-profit internship. I am now home and without a job in this terrible environment. To make matters worse, I have no idea what I would like to do and it seems that this is paralyzing me to move ahead with my job search. I did work for the Obama campaign for several months as a Volunteer Coordinator. I liked the work but hated my boss. Any ideas/tips to get me moving in the right direction?

A: Yes, I do, and please know that you are not alone. There are so many young people who are traumatized by this current situation. Here are some tips that I hope will be helpful:

- Know that there are lots of things you could do well. I really don’t think there is just one occupation or industry for any one person. I think all of us have certain skills and interests and we can apply them in many different fields and occupations.

Q. I am a senior in college and will be graduating in May. Ideally, I would like to move south immediately after I graduate. Since I will be unavailable to interview until I graduate, is the best strategy to move and then seriously look for jobs?

A.Congratulations on your impending graduation! Looking for a job is not a quick process, and I encourage you to start your search immediately. I also encourage underclassmen to start their job search process early. Each year you can add to your skills and experience so that your resume shows related experience, and an employer sees a track record of responsibility.

Starting your search isn't all about the interview. Interviewing is like opening night at a play. For a great performance, plenty of work has to occur in advance, and now is the time for you to start the preparation. A great search starts with self assessment - what is it you have to offer? What are your skills, talents, values, and drivers? Take the time to identify all these areas and your primary motivators. Write them down - you will need these, and you'll be adding to them as you move forward in the process. You now need to develop your targets. Focus on the industry and function you would like and begin to research companies that might fit your values.

Q: I held a state position as a Court Administrator for ten years. I have been looking for work since August 2008. I have completed every training course provided by the state and hold many certificates. I have so much experience in what I do and applied to so many positions within the state and all I receive are thank you but no thank you letters. Why? I have gone on one interview where I made it to the second interview, had my references checked, and no call back yet. They seemed like they were really interested so I called human resources and she tells me by next week I should know something. The position has not been filled. It’s almost 2-1/2 weeks since the interview. I'm confused as to what they are looking for and why work experience and certificates don't even land you an interview...

A: Searching for a job, at any time, is an incredibly frustrating experience. You do all the right things, you have all the right credentials, you interview well, and still there is no job offer. Add in this horrible economic environment and you have an incredibly challenging time to find work.

I can only suggest three things:

Q. My son will be graduating in May 2009 with a degree in economics from a very good college. Obviously we are in a very tough economy and most companies are just not recruiting on campus this year. Do you have any job hunting suggestions for him between now and graduation, as well as post-graduation? Thanks.

A. There are several things that your son can do starting now.

- Begin researching companies in the cities in which he is interested in working. Then study their web-sites and review their openings on a weekly basis.

- Write/email these companies regarding specific openings or his general interest in working with them in an entry level capacity.

Q. I am American and my husband is Tunisian. I have been living outside the US for 20 years and we are moving back to the States now that my husband has his green card. We currently live in Rome. We are both looking for work and would love to secure a week's worth of interviews sometime in April when we plan to do an exploratory visit. I understand about tailoring our resumes depending on our talent and the job description. But when I left America e-mail didn't exist. How can we best approach our job searches, other than Monster.com? I am originally from California but we have decided to settle in Boston.

A. Welcome back (soon) to US. As you probably know, the current employment picture is a bit grim in the US, although Boston is better than some other major metropolitan cities. The most recent unemployment data for Massachusetts has our unemployment rate hovering around 6.9 percent in early 2009.

Q. My daughter recently interviewed with a placement agency for non-profit jobs. They requested two photo IDs and suggested a passport. My daughter asked why they would want a passport and was told they use it for the agency's employment records since she would be placed and paid by the agency. She brought the passport with her and they made a photocopy. She gave other identifying information on the application, including her social security number. I've never heard of an agency requesting or photocopying a passport and was uneasy with this request. Is there anything to be concerned about?

A.Protecting your identity is a valid concern, and proceeding with caution any time you are asked to produce this type of information is a good course of action. This is an example where it is a necessity to provide the requested documents.

Your daughter and all new employees will be asked to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Form, a document from the Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The purpose of the form, as stated on the I-9 is "to document that each new employee (both citizen and non-citizen) hired after November 6, 1986 is authorized to work in the United States."

Employees need to produce documents that establish both identity and employment eligibility.

Q: I lost my job about 4 months ago. I was a Director of Marketing at one of the financial services companies that is really hurting right now. I have networked my heart out, searched every appropriate job board, met with a few search firms and answered any ad that I thought was a fit. Nothing has materialized. I need to bring income into the house. I have a family of four to feed and take care of. How bad will it look on my resume to take a job at a supermarket right now just to bring cash into the house?

A: It sounds like a very responsible thing to do in my mind. Many laid off workers are taking less responsible and lower paying jobs right now so they can bring money into the house. When the economy improves, there should be no problem explaining this digression in your career path. You are simply doing what you must do for your family.

Q. I am desperately miserable in my job and plan to quit soon. But I'm having problems deciding exactly when to do it - on one hand, I don't want to be here a minute longer than I have to, but I also don't want to burn any bridges with my employer. I am feeling guilty about doing it soon after getting an annual bonus and right before a (relatively expensive) office party. I don't have another job lined up yet.

A. In addition to your feelings, there are other concerns to consider when deciding when to leave a job you can’t stand.

Financial: Can you afford to leave without another job lined up, especially in this particularly tough job market? Are you prepared to live without unemployment insurance as well as without an income for what could be many months? When you resign voluntarily you cannot collect unemployment benefits.

Q. I have an issue that I don't really know how to handle. I set up an account with a well-known networking site for professionals a couple of years ago. At the time, I was very unhappy with my position and when I set up the account, I checked off the box saying "contact me for career opportunities." I have since left the job, and modified my profile to remove that information. About six months into working in my current position, I started receiving phone calls AT WORK for job opportunities. I should probably point out that I do not have my work contact information posted on the website. When I ask where they got my information, they name the website. I tell them to stop calling, and that my calls are monitored here, and I don't appreciate them calling me through the main number. That still doesn't stop them. I have received over 20 of these phone calls in the last 6 months and don't know what to do about it. I have even modified my profile to say "Do Not Call Me At Work." My company monitors everything we do, and I don't want my boss to think I'm looking for a new job. Should I bring this issue up with my boss before someone else brings it up?

A.While the specifics of your situation are a challenge, the concept of avoiding an issue at work with the hope it goes away almost never works. So first, let your boss know the situation you are in and the problems you are having with this website. This is vital to protecting a positive relationship with your manager. You do not want him or her to hear about these calls from anyone else at the company who may jump to conclusions that you are conducting a job search, and doing so on company time.

Q. I was married a little over a year ago and changed my last name to that of my husband's. I am currently in the midst of a job search. For the better part of my employment history I used my maiden name. My resume and contact information all use my married name, as that is my preferred surname. My question regards a prospective employer contacting a former employer about my work dates - if the job was before I was married, my previous employer will only know my maiden name, but future employers will only have my married name. How do I remedy this disconnect? How and when is it appropriate to tell prospective employers what my maiden name was, so that they can conduct the appropriate background research?

A. Women, and men, have many options about the name or names they choose to take into adulthood. Do we continue to use our original name? Do we choose to use the name of our spouse or partner, or perhaps create some meaningful combination of the two? Which order should we put these names in? Many cultures make recommendations about who gets first billing. And some people are choosing to start over and take completely new names that represent who they are at a new point in their life. It might be a family name from generations ago, or a descriptor of their aspirations.

Q. I am having problems finding the right job for me. I am a 50-year-old African-American female and have three graduate degrees (law, theology, and library science). I have been working as a librarian for the past 10 years and want to move into administrative work. I get interviews for some higher administrative positions, but have yet to be hired. I have gone on "informational" interviews where my resume and interview skills have been lauded and no changes have been suggested, but when I later send a resume to those people, I don't get an interview. I have been thinking of getting a PhD in library science to help in my search for a better job. What do you think? Also, is there a person/business that works with the unhireable, which is what I have apparently turned out to be?

A: I assure you, you are not “unhirable.” I wish you had mentioned how long you have been job searching. In the current business environment, it is not unusual for a professional candidate to be looking for work for 8 months or longer. The fact that you are a mature worker makes this process a little more complicated. In a good economy, it can take a professional mature worker six months or longer to find work. In a down economy - and this is certainly as down as we have seen in many years - it is possible that it might take a professional mature worker two or three times as long to find work.

Q. I am a senior communications/marketing/PR professional looking to move to the Boston area from New York, and have spent a lot of time networking over the past year, which has resulted in a few interviews. Several Boston search firm executives I spoke with said to use a Boston address (my sister's, whom I would live with once I got the job) on the resume, or many hiring managers would not consider me, as they normally prefer someone who is already in Boston. I do explain my situation in the cover letter, but I am afraid they would not look at the letter if they see a NY address. I just need to get my foot in the door to get an interview. In addition to the networking, what do you suggest I do?

A. Let me answer your questions in the reverse order. Here are some additional strategies that might enhance your long-distance job search:

1. Read Boston newspapers, journals and publications such as the Boston Business Journal, and the Boston Globe, on a regular basis, for both job listings and relevant business news.

2. Join (and start attending the meetings of) at least one Boston-based professional association or the Boston chapter of a national professional association.

Q. I've been offered a job contingent on a background check. Do I need to be worried about what might come up?

A. Maybe. With the competition hotter than ever for the jobs that are out there, companies are proceeding with caution in their hiring. Embezzlement, scams, harassment, and other illegalities hurt too many companies and they are working diligently to protect their employees, their customers, and their reputations. A background check can include criminal information such as misdemeanors, financial and credit data, as well as any other documentation that might be found in court proceedings, which are public record.

Pre-employment screenings - and the background checks that go along with them - have become more vital as fewer employers are willing to give more than basic reference data. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) data estimates 70 percent of companies have policies to offer only dates of employment and position in a reference check.

Q. I know - or at least, I've heard - that a lot of employers look at social sites when considering resumes of potential new hires. My problem is that there is at least one other person out there (in the same region, no less) with my name. So while I've kept off the social sites in an attempt to keep my reputation clean and clear, anyone looking up my name might mistakenly think I'm this other person. Is this likely to cost me interviews? Should I be worried about it?

A: Great question. Social sites are becoming a more common source of information for recruiters and hiring managers. You are right to think about this issue, but I would not be overly concerned.

Q. My husband was laid off recently. This is our first experience with unemployment. Almost everything I have read says the large Internet job sites are a waste of time. What should the first step be in the job search? He was a manager in telecommunications.

A. To be successful during a period of unemployment, your husband needs to balance solitary tasks - such as visiting Internet job sites - with those that include face-to-face contact with people.

In my experience, the most successful job seekers follow a detailed job search plan, which includes actively networking and using the Web sparingly. Encourage your husband to set six-month, three-month, weekly, and daily goals, and to make reviewing his goals a twice-daily habit, like brushing his teeth.

Q. I have been out of work now for nearly four months. I have had many interviews and great leads through networking. Still nothing has panned out.

Do I long for the days of the rejection letters in the US mail? At least it was closure.

A. The job search is not tennis. In a really nice (maybe not so competitive) well-played match, everyone knows their turn, they know the boundaries, they understand you are not supposed to ignore a ball hit your way, and you are supposed to try and get it back to the person who sent it to you - or at least to the other side! Sounds good, but as I said, the job search is not tennis.

Q. I want to leave my toxic job. I would like to give my notice on the last day of January and then give them two weeks. In order to reach the next level of vesting and to receive a payout for the company’s gain sharing plan, I have to work the first day of the next month which is my anniversary date. My question is this: If my manager decides she wants me to leave immediately without working the additional two weeks, can I be cheated out of the rewards owed to me?

A. I would refer you to your company’s Employee Handbook for the answer to this question. It should be clearly stated in the Handbook. If there is no Handbook, you might try to stop by the human resources department and ask what the policy is. If there is no written policy, then you are at the discretion of management and they can tell you to pack up and not return the next day, resulting in your losing a level of vesting and the payout for last year.

Q. I was a health care manager for years in Boston. Then I decided to work in international health and lived overseas for a number of years. I chose to return to Boston in time for Obama's stupendous win and a serious economic recession. I'm networking, applying, interviewing, checking websites, etc. While I'm waiting for a job offer, I need to make some money. But temp agencies see my resume and can't help me. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pay my bills?

A: Welcome back to Boston. Yes, that “R” word is frightening. The impact on the economic climate, particularly the labor market, is unnerving for sure. It sounds like you are being very active about your search – that's great! Looking for a job can certainly be a full-time job.

I do have one piece of advice – for you and maybe a few others. No one ever said that you should rely on one version of your resume for every opportunity. Yes, in the “old days” before we all had access to word processing, we all had “the resume.” Today, more and more savvy job seekers have several different versions.

Q. Regarding a career change, is there a service or perhaps something online that could help me isolate some careers that I have not thought of before?

A. Ask most people how they got into their current careers, and they’ll answer, “I just fell into it”. But if you ask some follow-up questions and probe a little deeper, you’ll find that these careers “just happened” at the crossroads of preparation and serendipity. You can’t always control your luck, but you can figure out ways to prepare for a career change.

First, take an in-depth look at your work history, and at yourself. Ask yourself: What do I truly enjoy doing? What, if any, parts of my present job would I want to continue doing, even if I weren’t being paid? What was the best job that I ever had? Why? Worst job? Why? Are there any ways I can be doing more of what I love to do, and less of what I hate?

Q: I am looking for a job and I can work in several different fields. My experience over the years – and also my hobbies – allow me choose among many different opportunities. The problem is that I send my resume to all the places that have openings that interest me, but none of the companies respond other then with a nicely worded rejection letter. Do you have any suggestions for me, as I have been looking for quite awhile?

A: This is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that you can do so many things. The bad news is that companies want specific skills for their particular job opening. This is especially true today, when hiring a new employee and adding the cost of the salary and benefits to their payroll is such a major decision. Employers do not necessarily need someone who has dabbled in a subject, but rather want someone who can demonstrate that they can do the specific job for which they are recruiting.

Q: When applying to a job from out of state, how do you deal with employers who doubt your interest in and ability to move within a reasonable amount of time? Should you put a friend's Boston-based address on your resume just to get initial consideration?

A: I am seeing more and more candidates apply for positions out of their geographic area, so this is not uncommon. If you have ties to the Boston area, that certainly helps (example: attended college in Massachusetts or lived here as a child).

Q. How safe do you think a job in HR would be? I'm thinking of going from sales (too much stress in these times) into HR as a generalist. I do have a recruitment background. Do you think HR would be a good move to have a career in?

A. "Safe" is an interesting concept when it comes to careers or jobs. Many people want a safe career -- meaning little stress, lots of opportunity, no risk of losing a job, and reasonably good money. Sadly, if you can find that job, a different career will be considered "safe" just a few months after that!

If you asked human resources professionals if their jobs were stressful, they would say "yes!" If you asked if their jobs were safe, the answer would be "no safer than other roles."

Q: I'm a legal aid attorney in Maine (I've been practicing for three years) and I'm hoping to both transition back to Massachusetts and out of the non-profit world. I'm having a hard time making contacts. Any suggestions?

A: Well, first welcome back to the Massachusetts job market. It is both a difficult time to land a new job (now that we are officially calling it a recession), as well a difficult time of year (December) to find new work, especially from afar. Difficult but not impossible.