Q. I’m looking for a permanent job. But I’ve also thought about working for a temporary firm to gain more experience–even though it may mean I won’t be there long. Will that look bad on my resume?
A. No, it won’t. It will look as if you wanted to upgrade your skills while job hunting–which can take a very long time these days.
Q. I told a friend of my mine about a job opening at my office and recommended her for it. She got the job and I’m glad. But she told me her starting salary, and it’s $2,000 more annually than what I make right now after three years. Can I confront my boss on this?
A. Unfortunately, you can’t without jeopardizing your friend’s job–and perhaps yours too. This is why employers don’t want anyone to discuss salaries: They want to pay whatever they want to whomever they want. And they also have to keep up with the going rate for the job. However, at your next salary review, you can say you know you are several thousand dollars below the current market rate for the position and that you expect that the discrepancy will be remedied. Meanwhile, work hard and continue to show how valuable you are.
Here are two letters on the same important subject:
Q. I’m completely stressed out at work and have been job hunting. I’ve been offered a very good job and want to leave immediately. I’m heavily involved in the implementation of a new procedure here. Do I owe my abusive boss any consideration?
Q. I’ve been unhappy about my treatment at work and want to leave as soon as possible. I’m wondering if I owe these unpleasant people two weeks’ notice. Can’t I just collect my paycheck and say goodbye on the same day? Or should I just be nice to the company, even though it hasn’t been nice to me?
A. Because of a slow job market, people are staying in jobs they hate much too long, so when the opportunity to leave comes they just want to bolt. I can understand that, but it’s very important not to burn your bridges. You have to be professional–even if your employer is not. Give two weeks’ notice. It also will let your new employer know you are a conscientious worker. And that will stand you in good stead over the course of your career.
Q. I’ve had two interviews in the last two months but didn’t get the job. Both employers said I was qualified, with excellent credentials, but not a good “fit.” What exactly do they mean by fit? Do I have grounds for a legal complaint of some kind?
A. I don’t think you have enough concrete evidence for a lawsuit. And although I’m always on the alert against discriminatory practices, I believe that fit means absolutely nothing except that they don’t want to hire you.
Q. I’m a scientist, 60 years old, and have been out of work for two years. I know you always say it’s not smart to include the dates of your college degrees because potential employers can use them to figure out your age and then discriminate against you. Well, the first year I included the dates and the second year I didn’t. Still no interviews. Have you changed your mind on this subject?
A. No, I haven’t. Age discrimination is rampant, albeit illegal. So continue to leave out the dates. You might want to find some projects to work on as an independent contractor until the job market improves.
Q. I’ve done remarkably well in my current position, according to reviews I’ve been getting. Yet even though I’ve applied for several internal positions, I’ve never gotten the jobs. Each time, I’ve asked my manager if it was my lack of a college degree that was holding me back. He always says no, because I have a proven track record. My manager has helped me develop, but now I fear the hand that brought me up is that hand that holds me down. What should I do?
A. You may be right about your manager, but there’s nothing you can do about that–unless you get a new manager. What you can do is to get the education you need. Ask your company to pay for it. Once they have an investment in you and you have the degree you need to advance, your manager will not be able to hold you back. And you also will have the credentials to apply elsewhere for a higher position.
———-
Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Tuesday’s and Thursday’s Business sections.E-mail [email protected].
More Top Picks Best Cat Trees For Multiple Cats