WorkWise Q&A: Strikes, Certainty

STRIKES

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, Here are my problems:

• I'm a college dropout.

• My two past employers hired me for one job description and gave me an entirely different role. Any attempts to educate myself or promote the employer through my initial job description were discouraged. However, I outlasted two substantial layoffs and two major management changes, but that's not for the cover letter.

• My current employer gives me wonderful opportunities to catch up on 15 years of marketable skills, but my copywriting and editing clash with language my supervisor wants; so I'm discouraged from using published work in my portfolio. Not Trouble-Free

A: Dear Not, You make an excellent case for developing samples of finished products outside of your job that represent you effectively. Also, original work products in your current job can be used as samples next to the final work product. This shows that you're flexible, although, obviously, the next job must allow you to represent your own skill and style well.

When you discuss the two previous jobs, say as little about them as possible. Emphasize results you obtained that transfer to any environment. mlc

CERTAINTY

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, How can I get employers to accept that I truly am willing to work for less than I used to make and will not leave at the drop of a better salary? The jobs they think I might go to just aren't there. I can't get an interview if I have to give a salary history. Convinced

A: Dear Convinced, You have two problems – convincing potential employers that the plums you had before have completely evaporated and that you're at peace with lesser-paying jobs.

Keep your previous salary to yourself as long as possible. Prove that you're reasonable, because, as you explained in a longer e-mail, some employers think that at least one of those jobs is around somewhere and that you haven't found it.

Get statistics about the administrative jobs you had before. Line up those statistics and their sources on a piece of paper to present as "show-and-tell" in an interview. Make certain that your tone of voice (like that in your e-mails) suggests acceptance of this information, interest in moving forward and excitement about the job you're discussing. Bring up specific points about what interests you about the job at hand, including aspects of it that differ from any other one you've had. mlc

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