No Need to Mention Layoff in Your Cover Letter
Michelle writes: I recently was let go from my position at my office due to financial reasons. How do I start off a cover letter letting the employer know this information in a positive manner? I just need some advice on how to construct the first part of the cover letter and I did not see that on the website. Hope you can help and thank you for your time. The Career Doctor responds: Repeat after me — again and again — never ever put any kind of negative information in your cover letter, resume, or any other job-search materials. The time to address any of these negative issues — such as being fired — is in the j

How to Ask for a Raise
Shelly writes: I would really appreciate if you could please send me some examples about how to ask for a raise. I’ve been at my job for a year now and I am stuck on a few things. I pretty much have all of my ducks in a row and I know I deserve the raise but I really want to make it presentable and professional. Basically I’m looking for a jump start, maybe I should start with a cover letter introducing my specific proposal? What do you think? Anything would help. The Career Doctor responds: Anytime we deal with money, whether as a job-seeker talking about salary or as an employee asking for a raise, it’s natural t

Solving the Not-Enough-Experience Conundrum
Andrew writes: I am having a problem getting a job. Right now I have three years of IT-related experience after finishing a college certificate course. I have worked on big to small projects and as a desktop analyst. But when I submit my resume for jobs I have done before and know I can do I am always being told by companies that I don’t have enough experience and need to get more. But how can I get the experience if no one will hire me? The Career Doctor responds: The job market for professionals in the technology field has been pretty dismal over the last few years, and while we’ve seen some recent increase in hiring, i

OK to Have List of Questions for the Interviewer Handy at the Interview?
Trish writes: I have a question regarding the appropriate thing to do in an interview. This is in relation to Question #17 (Having questions about the job or the company to ask the interviewer), from the Quintessential Careers Job Interviewing Quiz. Is it appropriate to have a “written list” with me and pull it out to ask the questions? The Career Doctor responds: Interview preparation is essential, and the more any job-seeker can do to prepare, the better the chances for success. One of the issues we stress is that job-seekers should always have a f

How to Approach a Career Change from PR to Marketing
Sally writes: I was hoping that you might give me some quick advice about how to approach looking at a career change. I graduated with a degree in communications and have been working in public relations for the past two years. In that time I have come to feel that I should have been a marketing major and that I would be much happier with a career in marketing. I have found a marketing assistant position that I would absolutely love to take on, but it requires 1-2 years of marketing experience. Would my two years of PR count toward that at all? Finally, what steps do I need to take to start off in a marketing career? The Career