Live Q&As

Great question. Sounds like you have done a lot of things to continually update your skills. While it is great that you sent out resumes, it would also help to get connected on social media sites like Linked In. This would enable you to reach out to others directly online. Also, are you restricted in terms of where you work? If so, this could limit your options. But, it might help to get more involved in networking events either with your industry or certain key companies that you would like to work for. You might want to identify those firms and then reach back out to them to see if they got your resume, if they have questions, etc. You need to be more proactive and follow up with the resumes you have sent. Best of luck!

This is a tricky issue as you have discovered. Most people have to eventually make a choice because they have trouble balancing both. I think you have to set a goal regarding financial issues and when you can move to the side jobs. It would help if some of them were more stable so you could count on some consistent income (assuming that is important to you). So, try to get a few of them to be more consistent and longer-term so that enables you to feel more safe in leaving your day job.

Good luck!

Great question. Readers? Any tips for this person for the health-care area? You would think IT and healthcare might be one of those growing fields. Other ideas, readers?

Yes, definitely you can follow up. I would phone her to make sure she received all of your information, and ask whether she needs any additional information.  Then, you can reiterate your interest in the position.

If possible, it would help if you could first see about jobs there. That would make you feel better about the move. You have not said whether you have already looked for jobs out there, but if not, you should do this now. Also, sometimes you might need to go out there to personally meet with people. Often, it is tough to job search from another state. If you can set up some contacts in advance, you could then plan a trip to have some itnerviews. Can your fiance's firm also help you out?

This is a good question. You never know unless you ask. Maybe you can follow up with some of the firms you are most interested in (and have sent a resume to) to let them know you sent a resume and ask for some feedback. The other possibility is to have others (career professionals) review your resume to make sure it best reflects you and is as professional as possible.

I think resumes can only do so much. Today, you have to follow up with the key firms you are most interested in working for, and you really need to try to connect (via personally or social media) with individuals from those firms. But, first get someone to look over your resume to make sure it is set up the best way possible.

If you are still currently employed, there is nothing wrong with looking for a new career field while you are already employed. I tell people to stay in your current job and not to leave until you have a new job in place. This enables you to see what is out there while you are still secure in your job. I don't think you are crazy to want to start in another area. In fact, that is actually the norm today. People have on average about 6-8 different jobs over the course of their careers. So, your future does not look bleak! Keep your current job, yet explore the possibilities!

Actually, why do you say no one wants someone part-time for this work? They might if it is a definite project that they are looking for help on. Did you ever think about assisting any universities or colleges? They might be able to hire part-timers for specific projects in this area. Also, you could connect with faculty who teach in this area to see if they have leads for you.

We can all probably understand your concern. Clearly, you should follow your own conscience about this. Could you ask someone in the firm (maybe someone in HR) to describe the benefits of employees' contributions to the employer? It may be that the firm is measuring its participation rates, and that this helps the firm in acquiring resources that will help all employees. But, you would need to check this out. I think getting  a little more information might help here. Then, do what YOU think is right for you.

It is great that you are concerned about this. Yes, there are definitely tips for interviewers for how to conduct structured interviews based on the major job duties. You did not say how you felt you "botched" the interview. Was it that you did not know what questions to ask, how to ask them, or how to handle their questions? Having a structured format often helps keep interviewers focused and less likely to ask the wrong or illegal questions, etc. If you check with www.shrm.org you will see plenty of advice for conducting interviews. Good luck!

This is a rather unusual question in the sense that any boss should react in a sad way if someone leaves their firm. Of course, there are some bosses who are very supportive of their employees enhancing their skills and getting better jobs or promotions. I think you can say something like "well, I'm sure my boss would be like any other boss who would be sad to see a good employee go", and then I would immediately get them back to talking about the job. In other words, do not spend much time on this topic, and refocus them on the topic of your work.

Great tips from this reader and I totally agree. Thanks reader!

Really great point from this reader and often the case. Definitely do all the calculations! Thanks reader!

I think you really should talk to your PM. Not necessarily by saying you are not working enough, but instead by talking about your career progression and the fact that you are interested in taking on more projects and gaining more expertise. Pitch it along the lines of wanting to stay at the firm for a while and growing in the firm. I would not just leave (never a good idea to leave a job without already securing a new one) without first talking to your PM. Too many people leave jobs without first talking to their boss, and in many cases, the boss would have done something to give you a chance to grow and develop.

This is a tough issue and I can see you have tried various things. I think he really will need to use personal networking to try to get someone to "give him a chance". He will always be considered "overqualified" for some jobs, and in those cases he would have to convince someone he is a career switcher and really wants to work in a new area.

I think it is great that he redid his resume, but I think it is unlikely he will get a job with 0-1 years experience. They will most likely continue to see him as overqualified for those jobs.

What about trying to see how his previous experiences gave him "transferable skills" that can be used in other fields? Sometimes taking a job description and highlighting how your skills "map" onto those requirements sells the case for you. But, most importantly, can he use his previous federal employment contacts to open doors in totally different fields? Maybe they know people in the areas he is choosing? He really needs to be connected via social media as well as using his previous contacts. Good luck!

Actually, sometimes someone will be willing to share feedback. I agree that it is not often, but it does occur. It never hurts to at least ask, if you do it in a constructive "help me learn" perspective.

I don't think the stigma of being laid-off is as bad as it was in the past since this is much more common today. I do, however, strongly agree that you should try to find a new job before being laid-off. It will be far better for you to find a job while you are employed than once you are unemployed. You still look more attractive to potential employers if you are employed.

You say your boss would be unhappy if you did these projects even if you did them on your own time. Why is this? Is there a conflict of interest? Would you be doing consulting in the same area you currently work in (at your firm)? If so, does your company have a policy on "conflict of interest"? Some firms have one and it clearly stipulates that you can not provide services to competitors that is similar to the work you do for the firm. So, first, check this out.

Next, you say you are not sure how to position it with clients. Are you talking about the work or the fact that you have a full-time job?

It sounds like you feel a sense of discomfort here, so there is a reason for this - maybe it is related to a potential conflict of interest. If this is the case, then you need to make sure your consulting is NOT a potential conflict for you or the firm.

Great question and an important one. Yes, you can have this discussion with your boss. I would first do some market research to see if you can find other "director" titles that reflect what your expanded job entails. If so, you can go to your boss with this request, and it is also backed up with how others are described in the  marketplace. It is also important to view this from your boss's perspective. Why might he/she disagree with this? Are there other employees that would also need a title change? In other words, what are the implications, internally? It is important to think about this issue from your perspective, but more importantly, from your boss's perspective too. What are the pros and cons of this for your boss? Outline some ideas here.
Also, you should outline and be prepared to talk about exactly how your job scope has changed over time (what are you now doing that is different than before). If you have information you can share about your increased responsibilities and the market research, and you have considered your boss's views in advance, this should help. Good luck!

Great question. First, I would get feedback from someone about how your resume looks. Next, I would definitely work on networking and trying to find contacts at specific firms that you are interested in joining. You could use an executive search firm since you have 10 years of experience and are looking for a managerial job. You might want to see how they are paid - by the employer or you. That could be important for you.  There are good and poor firms out there. Let's see if readers have any tips on these. Readers?