T.A.P. Q#185 – Should I “Use” My Co-Worker To Earn A Promotion?
June 30, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Dear Experts,
I’ve been working for a software company for 3 years now and I’ve yet to receive a promotion. My co-worker asked me to go to a ‘Fourth of July BBQ’ this weekend as his “date.” I don’t feel comfortable dating co-workers but it just so happens my co-worker also sits on a committee deciding who is getting the next promotion in my department. Even though I’m not attracted to him I’m debating on still going as his “date” to see if I can get an advantage to earning a promotion this year. Is this wrong?
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T.A.P. Q#184 – Boss Took All The Credit For My Work, Can I Get What’s Mine?
June 30, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Dear Experts,
I’m an intern at a company this summer 2 days/week. My manager asked me to organize the office supply closet and take inventory. In the process, I found out the company was getting charged for some supplies they weren’t receiving and/or were missing. And, I saw they should have been getting a discount based on the size of the order with the supplier they used. I pointed this all out to my manager who said she was very pleased with my work and that I would surely get compensated for finding the error and additional costs savings.
Well, two weeks later and I hadn’t heard anything, so I asked a co-worker about it. That’s when I found out my MANAGER took credit for finding the errors and hadn’t told anyone that I had found them. I’m so angry I could scream. Is there anything I can do to get the credit I deserve? Should I ask her about the compensation she mentioned?
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5 Parts to a Cover Letter (a.k.a. How to Write a Good One!)
June 29, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
By As a follow-up to my article on the importance of having a cover letter accompany your résumé, I am going to demonstrate here the mechanics of a well written cover letter. I hope that this provides some value and enables you to craft your own cover letter to generate interest on behalf of a potential hiring manager. Read more
T.A.P. Q#183 – Caught Staring At Co-Workers Cleavage, What Should I Do?
June 29, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Dear Experts.
I just started work at a company and the secretary/office manager is a woman with a really large chest. She came to my cube the other day in a shirt that to me seemed kind of tight and low cut. I’m no saint, and so I ended up accidentally staring at her cleavage. Well, when I realized what I was doing I looked up at her eyes, but by then she had a scowl on her face and walked off. Since then, she’s been really rude to me. What should I do?
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Connect ‘Live’ With Our Experts (FREE Until You Choose to Pay!)
June 29, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
3 EASY Steps To Working With Our Experts
1) Click on the expert below you wish to contact.
2) You will be promoted to set up a LivePerson account. NOTE: Your credit card will not be charged, just put on file in the event you do want to work with one of the experts on a paid basis.
3) E-mail your question or, if the expert is currently online, start a FREE chat to discuss your situation with them. It will be up to you if you choose to engage their services after you’ve connected.
It’s that simple! One-on-one advice from our APPROVED experts is just a CLICK away!
T.A.P. Q#182 – How Do I Sell Myself At Informational Interviews?
June 29, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Dear Experts,
I just graduated college and am trying to get a job or “jobternship” locally to gain experience. I’m hoping to use informational interviews to get my foot in the door. Currently, I am working to set up informational interviews with area firms through a mutual contact. My question is, how do I use this opportunity to not only learn about the interviewer, the firm, and the industry, but also sell myself and seek out opportunities? I’m very eager to learn and don’t want to have it seem like I’m just there to hit them up for a job.
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(4 Ways) Take Your Resume From Good to GREAT
June 28, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Teena Rose
What really makes a great resume for today’s job market? The use of a branding statement, a tagline or two, relevant keywords/key phrases, and a situation/action/results writing style can actually increase the return of your resume. Let’s review why each are increasingly important for job seekers competing in today’s highly competitive job market. Read more
My Work History Is Being Held for Ransom
June 28, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
“J.T. & Dale Talk Jobs” is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the U.S. and can be found at jtanddale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: The company I work for hired an outside firm to handle employment verification. Now if I leave and get offered a new job, the verification company will demand that the prospective employer pay a $13 fee. I feel like my work history is being held for ransom. Why would an employer consider hiring me if they can get other people without the hassle? — Mike Read more
Employer Says: Take Your Vacation…And Don’t Come Back!
June 26, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Taken from ”J.T. & Dale Talk Jobs’ – the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the U.S. and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m an RN who was recently terminated. The reason given was “communication” and that my “attitude has been bad for weeks.” I was sent home twice in the week I was terminated. I was instructed by HR to approach my boss to initiate a conversation. The talk was interrupted by a phone call, so I stepped out of the office. I waited, but eventually left. (It was the end of the day.) The next day, my boss waved my vacation request in my face and said, “You can have your vacation,” and then stated that my employment was being severed. I believe that I’m just a scapegoat because my boss had been given poor performance reviews. Any thoughts on what I could do would be appreciated. — Carol Read more
T.A.P. Q#181 – Got Offered A Job But Don’t Think I’ll Like What I’m Doing
June 26, 2009 by sparktalk · View Comments
Dear Experts,
I finally got offered a job but I don’t think I’m going to enjoy what I’ll be working on. I need money to pay off my college loans so I’m considering accepting the job and continuing my job search. Is this a good decision?
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