I left a comment on this post, which appears in the list above. What I didn't realize is that by leaving my full name, this comment comes up in google searches, which I feel is a risk to my job search and privacy. Please contact me. Thank you.

I'm really frustrated with my job. I work as a web developer but have never been able to get a good break for the last 3-4 years.
Job frustration is what I face everyday and I cant think of shifting to something else too.
What do I do?

Online jobsites often ask if you want to include a cover letter with a resume or application but do not include the name of a contact person in the job information. What is the best way to addresss a cover letter when you do not have the name of a person to address it to (and sometimes not even the name of a company. "To Whom It May Concern" seems too generic and impersonal.

I am starting a job search and resume preparation. I am close to 60 and would like to know if age should be avoided in the resume and untimately lie about it?

Hi,
I have applied for at least a 100+ jobs and I have not heard anything form any recruiters or any interviews. Some of the jobs I have applied for are the perfect fit for me and what they are asking for in the job description. I have 3 children that I will need to support and I need to have a job to-do this. What can I Do?

This is in response to Amon Stone. Do you have any pay stubs lieing in a filing cabinet from these jobs? How about any tax papers like W2 forms? Do you still keep in contact with any of your former co workers or former bosses that you might have formed a friendship with? Justa few ideas to throw your way. Good luck.

This is in response to Melissa Mockobee. I have come upon this problem myself when I see a job ad in the local newspaper. For some reason they sometimes do not include the company name, which I dont see the point of that and think is very stupid. But I digress. I believe when you send a cover letter or resume to a company you should always find out the name or at least the nature of their business. One way to find out is to type their fax number into a search engine and see what comes up. May not work on one of those reverse searches as those usually just handle telephone numbers. Just type the fax# where you would type url. Try it, you might find out what company it is. Good luck in your search!!
Leslie

Sorry the post above cut off my email address. its luvlie79@verizon.net
thaks again.

I need some advice. For the last two years or so I have been working for a trucking school. The economy has hit us really hard, things are slow right now a the school and I think it is time for a career change. Also lately my boss has been giving me a hard time because of a few dr's appts I had to go to (one day I had to take off which I requested two weeks or more in advance, the others I only had to leave a half hr early) and has said other harsh words to me about myself and other employees.
The strange thing is that I actually work out of her basement in her house (we do all the paperwork for the school there) so I know her family pretty well, and we are the only two people that work out of that office right now. I know once I leave, my work load will just be added to hers. I feel bad about this but once she said these harsh words to me about time off which was owed to me anyways and requested in plenty of time, I felt like I would just walk right out of the office. But because of my better judgement I did not.
Two questions-should I use her as a reference if I am afraid she might not give me a good reference and how do I break the news that I am lookng for a job given the circumstances listed above? Any advice would be most appreciated. If able, please email me at luvlie79@verizon.ne
Thank you so much and have a nice evening.
Leslie

How can I reach someone to discuss an article about interviewing for your site?

One of the important things I've learned through my career is how frankly bizarre interviewing can be, and it's not always the applicant's fault.

I've been interviewed several times by people who were frankly drunk -- to the point they could barely sit in their chairs.

One, who was the president of a company, took my marketing ideas (without looking at them), pronounced them junk, rolled them up in a ball, threw them across the room...then he said that he and I were the same age, he was a CEO and I was just a lowly applicant...Didn't that make me a failure? he asked.

Aside from just liquor filled-stories, I was once flown from Ohio to Houston for an interview, provided a car and hotel room, spent 6 hours in interviews with several managers, then finally interviewed with the VP.

He looked at my resume, then asked, "Why are you here? I told HR I only wanted to interview people with 6 or more years of computer marketing experience."

Before I could formulate a response, he said, "I can't waste time with this (meaning me), I've got to go."

Then he left the room.

As you can imagine, I felt like a doofus all the way back to Ohio.

Anyway, what I've learned is this: Whatever companies try to portray, whatever tools they claim to have, interviewing is still a very primitive process and often quite vacuous in terms of determing if an applicant can do a particular job.

The whole process can best be described by how George Burns viewed his sex life as he was approaching 100...you don't know whether to laugh or cry.

My question is this should you send a cover letter when you send your resume out, and if you should how do you address it if you don't know the company's name, the job description just gives a fax number? I also would like to know, I'm wanted to change my career path from Daycare, and childcare worker to a Leasing consultant but I have no experience in that field but I have done a lot of research on the subject and I feel I would be really good at it, so my question when I go and write a cover letter can I put in there that I have done a lot of research on Leasing consultant?

Thanks,
Melissa

I have looked at your articiles good information.
Question I am 62 and looking to change jobs or my career. Looking for something with less stress. I have the overqualified problem but a bigger problem my age. How do you address this problem ? I know although not spoken it is a problem.

Thanks

I have out of my field of work for 9 years, and I have been out of the country, I wonder how do I word that in my resume, and how do I answer that in my interview, trying to get back to my old field of work?

Over the course of my working career Ive had a lot of jobs. Sure, Ive quit a couple, but most have either downsized, been sold off and moved, or have just gone out of business. How do I handle the question of why I've had so many jobs? This might sound crazy, but I wonder sometimes if potential employers think I'm a jinx. Of the 20 or so jobs Ive had, 15 or so have gone under, or downsized, or been sold off and relocated.
I've even been told that a company is hesitant to hire me because they cant verify my work history, and its because the company I worked for is out of business. This is especially true when it comes to companies that are looking for experienced people. I've told them that I have 5 years experience in a particular field at two different companies, both who are out of business. I was told "Well, we cant hire you if you cant prove your experience." I explained that I'd be more than willing to show them that I can do the work right there and then, but they said that they didn't have the time to test every applicant, and that they'd rather go with someone who has VERIFIABLE job experience.
What do I do?

Hi, I'm between jobs right now. Have not been employed since May 2008. I've been sending out a number of spplications and been to several interviews. I have 3 issues which might be a cause of concern for future employers, I would like to know how to address these when the interview comes around them:
1. I had cancer and had a surgery 2 months ago;
2. Previous work experiences from various industries but now over 2 years. I tell them that I was fast-pacing myself for a career path and opportunities for career growth presented themselves. this might be construed as fickle-mindedness, instability or lack of loyalty;
3. my last job stint was with a call center for only 5 months. My immediate superior and I do not have the same ideas. I quit.
I have been with Human Resources all my life and would want to get back on track. any ideas on how i should address these when interviews come around to them.
Thanks.

Hi, I was terminated from my position for violating company policy regarding internet usage. How do I approach this when persepective employers and recruiters ask about why I left me previous position?

Hi, I am also in the "50 something" group like yourself. What I have done is gone to my local community college and took "life experiences" tests to see what degree I would be compaired to for that if I had a college degree. Try it, I was very happy about my exam results. You just might surprise yourself. Or, another place to seek help is to go to the employment office and ask if they offer the same type of testing. Life career accomplishments vs college degrees. It shows the potential employer that you do have the experience needed.
Keep trying, there are new jobs out there for us. Also keep an open mind as to entering into a new field. Vocational rehabilitation department of the state you live in will offer help with paying for the classes you may need to enter into a new area. The state I live in has done that for a few of my peers.

Hi Kris,

Your question regarding dealing with felonies in the job search was answered here:

http://www.theworkbuzz.com/ask-the-work-buzz-how-t...

Rachel

How about a entry on people getting laid off because they racked up medical bills? I had a couple of hospitalizations, the last one was a surgery ( ruptured appendix ). Got the surgery and now I'm okay. But the company decided to get rid of me and my severance brought me just up to the new insurance enrollment period. I wonder if Cigna leaned on them to get those "evil" people ( ones that made claims ) off the payroll.

During an interview, I've been asked "Do you have any other pending offers?" Why do interviewers ask this, and what is the best response? Generally, I don't have actual offers on the table, but may be in the interviewing process with other companies when asked this question.

Are there any companies hiring for entry level Accounting I am still in school in process of completing my degree completion pending Dec 2010

Theres been a problem lately with people calling off. I work my scheduled shifts but im still getting yelled at because i cant/wont come in and cover for other people. Its almost like my boss doesnt understand that I have a life outside work and cant always come in. I dont feel that he has the right to be mad at me, or that he has the right to be telling me I HAVE to come in and cover. Am i right?

Hey there Rachel,

Check the piece you just wrote on saying no to the boss. The forth paragraph first sentence. Where the way you say yes I believe is wrong.

Here it is...
"The reality is, we can't say to yes to everything, so it's essential to position yourself in the best way possible if and when you have to say no at work. The trick, experts say, is not really what you say, but how you say it."

Okay, now in that paragraph, first sentence...wasn't the first sentence supposed to say,

"The reality is, we can't say yes to everything, so it's......"

*instead of "say to yes to everything"

Keep up the great work!
See ya,
Joe J. Czarniecki
Chandler, AZ.

Hi Tom and Maya,

Your questions have been answered here:
http://www.theworkbuzz.com/ask-the-work-buzz-3/car...

Thanks!
Rachel

YOU'VE BEEN FIRED FROM LYOUR JOB. YOUR THE OLDEST ( 10-12 YRS. OLDER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, AND YOUR SUPERVISORS HAVE BEEN NAILING YOU WITH OLD AGE JOKES, YOU TURN IN A COMPLAINT TO HR, ) THEN THE COMPANY LOST $250,000 IN PRODUCT, BUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO SEEM STUPID TO CORPORATE BOARD, THEY SAY THEY'VE FOUND WHO DONE IT AND FIRE YOU, UH-OH YOU'VE KEPT REOCORDS AND COMPUTER PRINTOUTS WHICH SHOWS YOU DIDN'T DO IT, YOU ARE ALSO IN A UNION AND THE HR ISN'T ACCEPTING GRIEVANCES FROM THE UNION ON YOUR BEHALF, SO WHAT DO YOU DO???

I have read all the career advice sections from "resume revivals" to "how to get your cover letter read" and the "1001 things you're doing wrong." (No sarcasm... just frustration).

Here are my questions:

1) Addressing Cover Letters: I understand that it is best to address your cover letter to a person instead of "To Whom It May Concern". However, in a situation where you are applying to a company and there are upwards of 50 recruiters and you apply via their on-line application systems, this is a challenge.

Who do I contact to find the name of the specific recruiter? And how do I go about getting this name when the only HR contact info, at best, is something to the effect of: hr@bigcompany.com and no one responds?

2) Following up: I agree that following up is necessary. But again, with the big companies... if I don't know where the resume was sent in the first place, who do I even follow up with?

Thanks for your help.

I am 56 years old, non-degreed and unemployed for over 18 months. I have over 20 years of experience in Field Merchandising Management and Supervision. I also have managed national retail programs and projects. My most recent position was as the Director of internal Operations for our client, Microsoft. My company was a 3rd party labor company. I have posted my resume on the top 10-15 job boards and applied to 200+ positions. Any suggestions?

With the internet and so many job sites, is it still viable to "cold call" at companies? In other words, go door to door and fill out applications.

Hi, I have 18 college credit hours in Spanish and would like to use my Spanish to become a translator and to help people. My problem is that I have not used it at all in over 10 - 12 years and remember some but do not think I can carry on a full conversation. I have been unemployed for months. What would you suggest would be the quickest and easiest way to refresh my skills?

Anita

If your an hourly employee and you work through your lunch is it a requirement (Law) that you get paid for it?

I would like advice on the best way to have students disclose on a job application if they've received a GED rather than a traditional High School Diploma. (Or doesn't it matter.)

Hello,
My brother was recently convicted of a felony and did some jail time on a he said/she said domestic case in which he accepted a bad bargain-just to get out of prison asap. What can you recommend the route for him to go to try to get a job in today's sad job market with a felony on his record??? It sure seems like he has alot stacked against him. Any help is welcome as he has tried unsuccessfully to get any leads from supposed "hard2hire" and "safer foundation" (never returned calls/emails). Also, his parole officer said that everyone he helped in the past to get a job has been laid off since. His background is in sales, and he is an EXCELLENT salesman. He just made a bad relationship choice in the past and now it is carrying over in any career aspect. He is also willing to do training for something else with the little funds he has, but what would be the appropriate field for someone with that on his record???
Thank you for your time.