This section offers an Online Career Advice Column by Author Rosemary Augustine addressing a variety of questions and concerns you may have during job search, career change, career transition, leaving your present job or starting a business.

Your Recently Emailed Questions Answered Below:

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• How focused are you? Is your objective clearly stated? Is the resume written with accomplishments pointed toward the position for which you are applying? Do you follow up on the resumes you've sent? Often when a resume repeatedly doesn't get response, the employer feels there is no match on the initial screening (the objective or focus is different than the position being offered). Reconsider your focus, package the resume toward the focus and follow up.
  
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• Q
• I'm recently retired with 30 years of service. I've had a great career but employers seem to think I'm too old to work no matter what the job. I'm not ready to retire. HELP! Where do I go from here?
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• Sounds like it's time for a new career. What research have you done to take a look at new career opportunities? What are your own personal values, strengths, likes, etc.? How would you describe the elements of the ideal job? Start talking with others who have made career changes in mid-life. You are in the "exploring" mode of career change.
  (See 10 Easy Steps)
  
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• Q:
• I never get the second interview. The comment always seems to be "you're overqualified." How can I get the employer to see beyond my being overqualified?
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• Ask for a copy of the job description prior to interviewing, so you can prepare your list of strengths relevant to the position. Focus on those strengths and communicate to the employer in the interview "why" you are the candidate to hire based on those strengths. This is homework that certainly pays off.
  
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• Q:
• Employers have repeatedly said to me "we need more experience for this position." How do I get that experience when I don't have it to begin with?
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• Can this experience be gained through an entry-level position, internship or volunteer work? If so, use one of these strategies to gain the experience for the resume in order for the prospective employer to see you've taken the initiative to gain that experience.
  
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• Q:
• I'm changing my career, my previous work experience doesn't apply. How do I show on my resume my transferable skills so prospective employers will consider me?
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• When changing careers, a combination of a functional and chronological style resume works best. Pick only 3 areas you want to focus on, and show accomplishments and strengths in those areas. Then under your employment, include only one bullet point of accomplishment. This combination style will highlight your transferable skills along with showing your working experience. Stay away from the true functional style resume.
  
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• I just graduated from college with a degree in business. How can I best use my education with a satisfying career?
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• Congrats on sticking with school to get the degree. There is so much you can do with a business degree. If you haven't already taken personality / interests tests through school, I would recommend you do so. These testing tools point out the areas of interest you will excel in for your career regardless of the degree. The degree provides the educational backup that many employers require.
  
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• Q:
• I've lost all passion for my work. What can I do to regain passion for what I do?
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• It's time to re-evaluate what is really important to you. Make a list of what you value. Ask yourself, "if I could work in a career I love and be guaranteed never to fail, what would I choose?" Based on your answer, "what are the obstacles in your way from achieving this?" Often when we lose passion for work, we also lose sight of what is really important to us: family, friends, love of work, challenge, recognition, fulfillment, etc. Passion for your work is such that you are strongly committed to it, because you are passionate about it. Take a look at "Finding you're Passion". With this self introspection, you realize it's time to embrace change and as a result will begin to shape your future based on what your really love to do.
  
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• Q:
• I'm currently employed, I desperately want to change companies. How do I find the time between my busy work schedule and balance it with family life and still find a satisfying position?
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• Each day be involved in 1-3 things that are job search related: research, informational interviews, developing networking contacts, phone calls, sending resumes, following up, etc. Although it is a balancing act, many people successfully change jobs while juggling demanding work and family life. Your patience and determination will keep you on track. Also keep in mind: "you are more employable when you are employed."
  
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• Q:
• I want to start a business. I'm so deep in debt no one will loan me money. How does one start a business when no one will loan me any money?
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• I would recommend that you consider continuing to work full time while you build your business, and pay down your debt. Starting a business adds additional financial burdens which when not addressed or considered result in disaster. If you haven't done so already, put together a business plan so you can see what is expected of you and the business. A business plan offers a wealth of information, and gives you a clearer focus on the amount of time needed for the business to be financially afloat. Also, a business plan is required for any business loan.
  
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• Q:
• How do I address the unavoidable question about salary either during an interview or responding to classified ads?
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• During the interview, your response must be, "what have you budgeted for the position." Practically 99.9% of the time an employer will respond with an amount or range that you can then respond to. In a cover letter state that you "would be happy to discuss salary during the interview process." Use caution stating an actual figure in your cover letter, you may be easily screened out based on the amount you state.
  
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• Q:
• When I tell a prospective employer my salary requirements, their immediate response is "that's more than we had in mind." I feel I'm worth every cent. How can the employer see it my way?
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• It's important that you do your homework first knowing comparable salaries for your industry, occupational level and geographic locale. Always let the employer divulge the salary range first. Then your response can include a well practiced sentence on comparable salaries for the specified position coupled with your background and experience. Salary surveys and salary comparisons can easily be found through library or Internet research.
   
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• Q:

  I’ve been in business for a few years – just dabbling part time.  Now that I’ve lost my full time corporate job, I want to devote my full attention to my business, but I’m not sure what to do first.  Can you help me?

   A:  

  For long-term business growth, you may want to consider working with a Coach like myself to assess what aspects of the business can grow, improve or advance providing you with income greater than what you are use to from your corporate job.  For the short-term, jump start the business by networking immediately with everyone you know – face-to-face with business cards (or flyer if appropriate).

  
  
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© Rosemary Augustine, Author