WorkWise Q&A: Does a potential employer need a photo?

WRONG VIBES

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, My husband and I are unemployed. We frequently use Craigslist for employment searches. We're frustrated that employers require a photo along with your resume for positions in the administrative/clerical field. In addition, my husband was asked his age during a telephone interview. Are these legitimate questions? Hoping to find a job soon, we remain, Very Truly Yours

A: Dear Truly, Your gut is telling you something. Listen to it a little more closely. Because you're not models or entertainers, no one should ask you for photos. Under no circumstances should anyone ask your age. Both requirements open the door for employers to discriminate. Keep that door shut, even if that means dropping out of contention.

These experiences should make you suspicious of some postings on Craigslist. You don't need to exclude that service entirely, but use it with great caution. Skip positions anywhere with requirements your gut tells you are questionable.

Don't skimp on on-the-ground methods, where your chances of success are much greater. They take extra effort, but if you invest about 80 percent of your time in them, you're more likely to land a job.

OFF-TARGET

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, I'm an educator without work in the middle of the school year. What are some other good jobs that I could look into that would I could use transferable skills from my time in the classroom? Teacher

A: Dear Teacher, Review all of the online information about you. It's all about your writing and your lifestyle. Any employer who looked you up would hardly guess that you're qualified to teach German and music. You even excluded that in your first e-mail to me.

Focus on how to earn a living! Contact your state government online for employment statistics. See what industries are creating jobs. One of the few growth industries around the country is health and educational services, specifically private education in some states.

Teachers use a whole host of skills, including communication, training, project management, human resource and research. You have two more possibilities than many teachers. Consider transferring your qualifications for teaching German and music to multinational companies with German-speaking customers, and to entertainment companies.

Go to the public library first, then your alumni career services office and ask question after question about what to explore. Meet with alumni in your areas of interest — education, German and music — to find out what they're doing.

Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2010 Passage Media.