Job hunters: Here are your most frequent questions

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This has been a busy summer for job hunters and career changers. The number of questions I receive about job-hunting has tripled recently, so here's a quick scan of some of the most frequent questions and what to do about them.

Dear Joan:
I was a finalist for a job, but I didn't get the job, is it OK to call and ask why not?

Answer:
Most employers are reluctant to be totally honest because they fear a lawsuit from a disgruntled candidate. The best approach is to call the person with whom you had good rapport and say," I wonder if you'd be willing to give me a little advice? Is there anything I could do in the future that would improve my chances of finding the right match for my skills? I'd really appreciate your honesty." The employer may still be unwilling to give you feedback but they will appreciate your coachability.

Dear Joan:
What do I do when they ask for a salary history in want ads?

Answer:
The employer is attempting to weed out the over-priced candidate. If you are in the ballpark and meet all the requirements of the job, you will probably get an interview. For this reason, you don't need to list every salary you've ever earned. Instead, do a little homework and identify a general salary you're looking for. For instance, "I'm seeking a position in the $30,000's." This is also a good technique for someone who is changing careers and their former salary history doesn't fit the new career field. Include this information on the cover letter.

Dear Joan:
What if I was laid off or fired? How do I tell an employer why I left my last job?

Answer:
If you lost your job as a result of an organizational change that affected many other people, mention that in your cover letter, so you don't look singled out. If you were fired, go back to your former employer and negotiate for two things: whether your departure was a termination or a "resignation"; and also what kind of reference you're going to get. (In many cases, companies only reveal information such as employment dates.) In termination cases such as a conflict with the boss it's best not to go into details. In fact, many times you can use a generic reason for wanting a new job, rather than going into why you left your last one: "I'm looking for a new challenge and more opportunity to grow and contribute."

Dear Joan:
If I fax a resume, do I still need a cover letter?

Answer:
Absolutely. Employers want to see if you've done any homework on the company, how you feel your qualifications apply to the job, what your salary requirements are, and how you express yourself.

Dear Joan:
If I list my resume on the Internet, what key words do I need to include?

Answer:
Most companies search through resume databases by nouns. In other words, qualifications for a specific customer service manager might include, "help desk" or "inside sales." This is a direct contradiction to the way most of us were instructed to write a resume, with the emphasis on action words such as "developed" and "implemented."

Dear Joan:
If I'm currently employed, who do I list as a reference and how do I keep my boss from knowing I'm looking?

Answer:
On applications, when you're asked to fill in the names of former managers, write in parenthesis, "Please do not contact my current manager." When listing references, choose former managers from past companies or people within the organization whom you can trust. Best references are former managers. Peers are good only if they were internal customers who can speak first-hand about your work. All other references are less credible to a potential employer. 

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)
Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email  – no shipping charge)
The Resume That Opens the Door and the Interview That Gets the Job (Detailed, 37-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)