Q. My grandson is a new college graduate. His other grandfather got him a job, but he hates it already because he doesn’t like “being cooped up” in a cubicle. The placement center of his university has an active network of alums and I want to encourage my grandson to use it. But he’s averse to doing that for reasons known only to him. How can I jump-start him to use it? I want to help him.
A. The best way to help him is to stop making everything so easy for him. It’s clearly time for him to take charge of his life and try to fend for himself, even in a cubicle. However, you are right to encourage him to use the university’s placement center. But let him “jump-start” himself–if you can. You may be surprised by how pro-active he becomes when left to his own resources.
Q. As part of a job offer my current employer gave me, I received a lump sum of money for relocation expenses. While the job is OK, I don’t like where I now live and want to return to my former city, where I had friends and really enjoyed living. I’ve only been in the job a few months. What is the minimum amount of time to wait before leaving an employer who paid for me to relocate?
A. If you signed an employment contract, check it out. It may say something about it in there. If not, I would say one year would be fair. And at the end of that time, don’t be surprised if you don’t want to leave because you have made good friends and learned your way around your new city. Meanwhile, work hard every minute of that time. Few employers are paying relocation expenses these days, so you probably are working for a good company.
Q. I’ve been job hunting for a while. I have all the qualifications listed in the ads but still can’t get the job. A person is not born with all the skills required, so I took matters into my own hands and took a course on the needed qualification. However, I still am being turned down for the jobs I applied for. Now the reason is I don’t have the experience needed. How are you supposed to get the experience you need if no one will give you a chance in the first place?
A. You have a frustrating problem, but first I want to congratulate you on getting the accreditation you need. It will stand you in good stead in your job hunt. The way people get experience, when they can’t get it on the job, is by serving internships, working for temporary agencies or doing volunteer work in their time off at a non-profit where their skills are needed. It all counts as experience.
Q. I have heard of a job opening in my company that I know I could fill. It would be a promotion and pay increase for me. We don’t have job postings, but I found out about it from my manager, which I find very encouraging. My problem is I have a dear friend here in the office and I know she would love to have this job too. Everything is hush-hush, so I don’t think she’ll find out about it unless I tell her. Do I have to?
A. No.
Q. Six weeks ago, I was promised a good management job by my employer. Now they tell me it’s not mine anymore because the job description has changed and they need someone with a broader set of skills. Do I have any legal protection in this matter?
AI. don’t think you do because you may no longer qualify for the job. But it’s obvious they wanted someone else, not you. For compensation, ask for training in the skills they say you don’t have–and have them pay for it.
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Monday’s and Thursday’s Business sections. Hear her on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. E-mail [email protected].