Q. I’ve found out that the reason I’m not getting any job offers is because of a bad reference. What really kills me is that the bad-mouthing isn’t from a former boss but from a former colleague of mine who I thought was a friend. Can I sue him? Can I yell at him?
A. You could hire a lawyer to write a letter asking him to cease and desist or else. But don’t sue and don’t yell. Instead, talk to him calmly about what he did–and then try to forget about it. Of course, you immediately must remove his name as a reference: With a “friend” like that, even if he innocently hurt you, you don’t need enemies.
Q. I’m 49 years old and tired of being a secretary. I want to go back to school to pursue a new career, but I’m afraid it would be a waste of time and money because of my age, although I do have about 15 years of work ahead.
A. Don’t discriminate against yourself because of age. Continuing education is a must in today’s labor market, so take the courses you’re interested in, get the skills you need for a new profession–and move ahead by switching careers. But make sure you go to a college with a good career placement center with guidance counselors who will help you find a job when you graduate.
Q. I’ve been in the “temp trap” now for five years. Most companies will not consider me as a viable candidate for full-time positions.Why do they do this? In many cases, the best person for the job is right under their noses–and it’s the temp. I’m tired of being ignored. What should I do?
A. Increasingly, companies are considering their temporary workers as potential full-time employees, using the period of temporary work as a tryout for the permanent job and then paying off the temporary agency. So it is possible. Keep trying and continue to do the best you can as a temp; the job isn’t always a “trap.” The temporary staffing industry has been hit hard by the slowing economy, so if you do have a temp job, hold on to it.
Q. I’m a registered plumber, have been in my field over 15 years and am now applying for a job as a maintenance director. It’s been so long since I’ve had to interview for a job that I’m feeling a bit nervous about the interview, even though I’m confident about my abilities. Any advice?
A. Do some role-playing. Ask a family member or a friend to act the part of the hiring officer, then practice the interview a few times. It will put you at ease when you see how well you handle it.
Q. There is someone in my office who always is late for work, spends a lot of time on personal calls and e-mails and does whatever she wants to. And here’s the corker: I accidentally found out she’s making more money than I am! I’m close to retirement but it bugs me so much. Can I tell our manager about this situation?
A. What you are so upset about really is a management problem and you can do nothing about it. It’s difficult to not show your real feelings, but you will have to ignore the unprofessional behavior of your colleague. The fact that she’s making more money than you are is an extra insult, , but you can’t do anything about that, either–especially since you’re not supposed to be privy to that information. So hang in there until retirement, doing your work professionally, as you always have done.
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Carol Kleiman’s column also appears in Sunday and Tuesday’s Business sections. Watch her Career Coach segments Sunday and Tuesday morning on CLTV. Send e-mail to [email protected].