Live Q&As

Great that you are going to revamp your resume. Not sure you really need a coach just for this, although they can be helpful. There are plenty of great Web sites that give you tips on creating resumes that I think would help (careerbuilder.com, monster.com, etc.). You can also see some great examples in Knock 'em Dead Resumes, which you can find at most any book store.

Make sure it is concise, clear, that you proofread for spelling and grammatical errors (most people forget to do this and it really turns off employers), and that your information is 100% accurate. Often, employers will do verifications on resumes to make sure the information is truthful and accurate. So that is very important.

Best of luck!

First, it is great that you are bringing so much to the organization in terms of initiative and citizenship! I am sure your colleagues appreciate it, even if they don't tell you!

You mentioned management issues, but are you able to talk with your own boss about your work responsibilities? If not, is there an HR person or another manager you can speak with?  Not necessarily to complain, but to share your concerns about the organization and perhaps the structure of work? If so, perhaps you can get your job reclassifed to ensure that you are compensated or at least recognized for the additional work you are doing. Or, at least see what others think about the future of the firm. Often, other managers might know more about the firm's future and can let you know this.

You say you are job hunting and that sounds like a good thing for you to be doing, especially if you feel that the organization may not survive. You did  not mention if this is a small or large organization so it is hard to tell, but depending on the likelihood that the organization will not make it, it is important for you to ensure your own marketability. So, make sure your resume and networks are up to date, especially social networks.

But, first see if there is anyone within the firm you can talk with to gain their perspective. Good luck!

You are right - a month is really not very long at all to be looking for a job. Even students (whether undergrads or graduate) may spend several months job hunting. Also, it often takes longer when you go to a new state since you may not have as many personal contacts. Patience is key here, but so is quickly forming as many contacts and networks as possible. It also depends on the field in which she is looking for a job since this can impact how long it may take, and how important contacts are. You can research on various Web sites (e.g., glassdoor.com) to see what the market looks like for various employers, salaries in an area, etc. Maybe you can share this information with your relative.

Great question. For some employers, I have heard they are really not that affected by the threat of sequestration and they say it is business as usual. For others in the government, they are hedging on hiring due to possible cuts. But many groups have already set up contingency plans for possible cuts or changes in jobs. I think it is always a good idea to have your resume ready and make sure you are marketable, so why not see what the market looks like? Of course, it depends on the industry you are in (i.e., is it a small world where everyone will know you have applied someplace else?). This is something you have to consider before applying. But, you can at least let people in the market know you are receptive to new opportunities. Sometimes, that gets the ball rolling for you.

Great question. There are lots of resources out there to help individuals start their own businesses. They can help you figure all this out. Looking at resources provided by the U.S. Small Business Association or www.entrepreneur.com can be helpful. They actually provide step-by-step instructions for what you can do and what you need to think about. You might also want to join a consulting network to help you get the word out. You did not say what type of consulting work you would be doing, so that would be important in terms of which networks to join. I would also suggest spending some time talking to other independent consultants in your career field to learn their views of the "dos and don'ts" and "hidden" costs, etc. You'd be surprised at how willing others when it comes to sharing information. Good luck on your new venture!

This is important to you and to the marketplace. It is not clear why the president felt it was necessary to change your title from director to associate director to appease clients. Usually, you would want higher-level titles to better match the hierarchy in the marketplace.

I would definitely have this conversation with your president since it is important to you and how valued you feel at your job. It also seems important to see how the president sees your job now, since it sounds like the scope has changed. This is important for you to clarify since you may decide you like the new changes or you don't. But, it is best to be clear. Don't feel bad about asking. If you say in a professional manner, "I wanted to meet with you to better understand what you see as the new scope and responsibilities of my job since it seems to have changed,"  this can be viewed positively. 

Before you have that conversation, you could do some market research to see what others in similar jobs are called and what their responsibilities are. Most Web sites on jobs (careerbuilder.com, glassdoor.com) can share that information with you and it would be helpful for you to know all this before you meet with your president.

Definitely have the conversation, but think it through first!

If the company has fewer than 15 employees, then they are not covered by the EEOC.  So, technically, he is right about this. But, the real question is why would he even care about asking you this? And would you want to work at a firm that is pressing you on this topic?

I tell  applicants that when you get some of these "questionable" requests, that you might want to nicely deflect by asking them a question.  For example, if they ask you to put down your age or years of graduations, you can say" If you are asking me to verify that I completed school and got my degrees, I am happy to get the schools to send my transcripts or to let you know I completed the programs." Likewise, if they ask about your parental status, you could say "If you are asking if I can travel or work on weekends or nights, I am able to do that." The reason I suggest this is that many applicants feel worried about confronting potential employers (since they want a job), yet by redirecting the question, they feel better about saying something.

You are right to be concerned. Generally, we would not advocate that an employer ask about your graduation dates or age, regardless of the size of the firm. I also agree with your attempt to leave that material blank on the form since it is really not relevant to the job, unless, of course, it is a job where there is an age mandate (e.g., flying, driving, etc.), and they have a legitimate reason for asking. Sadly, some smaller sized firms ask all sorts of things because they can get away with it, and this turns off potential employees who could bring a lot of value to the firm.

Wow - what great motivation and dedication you bring to the workplace!

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability employment (ODEP) has a great Web site that offers lots of great tips, advice and information about employers for those with disabilities. Check it out for more information on the best places to work. Good luck!

This is a tough issue. What if you talked with the manager or HR person to see which of the charities are most critical for the firm to support? This might help you narrow it down.

The other thing to remember is that the dollar amount often is not important, but what is important is the 100% participation. So, if possible, you might be able to just give $1.00 to show that you contributed and the team still gets the 100 percent. While that may seem strange, sometimes outsiders measure a firm by the percent of employees who contribute, not the actual dollar amount. The firms that have higher percentage participations can sometimes get more money from outside agencies, etc., so there is some benefit to your firm. But, I would definitely see what you can learn from an HR person about the various charities. Maybe the firm needs to also look at all the events it sponsors to see how to streamline them so it's not such a burden on employees, especially during tough financial times.

Yes, there are. What is most important is to script out your thoughts and to have someone practice with you. Even if you don't use a professional coach, you can still have a friend ask you questions. You can also videotape yourself when they are asking questions to see how you come across. This is a really good idea so that you can see how you come across (eye contact, tone of voice, positivity, etc.). I would check resources on conducting good interviews (there are plenty of Web sites that address what questions you might be asked, how you can answer. And really practice answering those questions with taping. This will be a great first step to see how you come across. Good luck!

What about networks you belong to? Both professional associations and social networks? You really need to reach out to people directly to let them know you are looking. Searching online can be very slow and frustrating. Can you join any other clubs or organizations to meet more people in your field? What about reaching out to friends or colleagues via Linked In or some other format like that? Looking in another state does give you more flexibility, but you almost need to be there to meet with people. Try to make some connections in that state so you can meet with employers there. Good luck!