Dear Coach, After being unemployed for 16 months I took a job that lowered my salary from $100,000 to $40,000 a year. I am very embarrassed, even ashamed, about doing this. Was I wrong?
Carol Kleiman: No. It’s hard to get a high-paying job, and you did what you had to do. At least you have a job, and I sure hope you also have benefits.
Dear Coach, What is your opinion of the value of a liberal arts education? Some people extol it because you learn language skills, flexibility and the ability to relate to all kind of people. Others say, “History? Philosophy? Comparative literature? You want fries with that?”
CK: It has great value. Many businesses prefer liberal arts majors over MBAs precisely for the reasons you state: A good liberal arts education produces generalists, and they are the people who can think critically, are creative and, most important, communicate well. They are much more adaptable and, therefore, much more valuable. So hold the fries.
Dear Coach, I plan to leave my job as soon as possible. Do I have to give two weeks’ notice?
CK: While it’s certainly possible to quit without giving any notice, it might come back to haunt you, especially in a job search. The professional thing to do is to give at least two weeks’ notice. Even if it hurts.
Dear Coach, I am a middle-aged secretary and am finding it hard to find a job. The young kids don’t want to hire their mother! Is there a list of companies who would love to hire someone with experience, patience and dedication?
CK: Unfortunately, there is no such list because, legally, every employer should be on it. Age should not be a factor. Try doing temporary work and getting inside of companies to determine their culture. They’ll also have a chance to see how professional you are.
COACH CAROL’S 15-SECOND DRILL: A sense of humor helps get you through a demanding workweek and challenging situations on the job. Remember, it’s better to laugh than to cry.
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in the Tuesday and Thursday Business sections. Hear her on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and at 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. Watch her “Career Coach” segments on CLTV. E-mail [email protected].