Where are all the civil-engineering jobs?
Q: I have been on the lookout for a job in Seattle for some time now with very little luck. I am a land surveyor for the U.S. Forest Service, and while I am not stuck on staying in a...
Student seeks career in international finance
Q: I am a sophomore business student at Miami University, originally from Bellevue. I am a double major in finance and entrepreneurship, with a Chinese minor. I would love to know the kinds of things I should be doing now...
Move offers new opportunity, but would it be wise?
Q: I have an extensive background in telecommunications and am employed in the cable industry, but my first career choice was law enforcement. I have an AA in criminal justice and want to transfer into a forensic science program. The...
Tips for project-management techies
Q: I just moved from Beijing to Seattle with my husband. I am currently seeking project-management or vendor-management positions in the Internet/travel industries. Any suggestions for networking opportunities or job-seeking strategies? — T.V., Seattle Kristen says: Seattle is one of...
How to break into big-league businesses
Q: What is the best way to get my foot in the door at Boeing or Microsoft? — T.D., Boise Kristen says: The most effective way into any organization is via an employee referral, preferably someone you have worked with...
Networking out of town: Is it worth a trip?
Q: I would like to relocate to Portland. I’ve read things to the effect that while online job-hunting is all well and good, there’s no substitute for face-to-face networking. While I can take a vacation day and go to Portland...
Working from home was a big mistake
Q: A year ago, I was laid off after 13 years. Numerous résumés and cover letters later, I finally found employment. At first, I thought my new job was perfect for me; I work a 10-hour/four-day shift from home. But...
How to find recruiters in specific fields
Q: I just moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area from Kansas City, Mo. I have noticed that a lot of the recruiters on LinkedIn are business-related, and I am more in the sciences (specifically, microbiology). I tried to filter for HR...
Emphasize relevant skills for medical admin job
Q: My wife is looking for a medical receptionist position on the Eastside. She has plenty of experience. Any suggestions? -- G.S., Bellevue Kristen says: Medicine is one of the top industries in the Seattle area. Overlake Hospital Medical Center,...
Where to find opportunities in the PR field
Q: I recently moved to Seattle from Washington, D.C. My background is in journalism and public relations, with a concentration on media relations and social media. Any suggestions on identifying networking and job opportunities? -- K.B., Seattle Kristen says: Seattle...
Where to get a resume review
Q: I am employed at a Seattle-area technology firm. I have a solid résumé and have worked for the last nine years as a procurement professional. I am thinking about looking for other opportunities in the area, and I would...
Quitting without notice won’t affect retirement benefits
Q: You mentioned in your column that Washington State is an “at will” employment state, so my question is this: If I quit my job on the spot, will there be repercussions regarding my future retirement benefits from management, or...
Sharing salary history is standard practice
Q: Conventional wisdom seems to be that sharing your salary history with the recruiter -- as opposed to the prospective employer -- will not result in a lower offer. However, it then follows that once the recruiter has determined your...
Searching for a Seattle job from across the pond
Q: was born in Miami and am an American citizen, but I have not lived in the U.S. since I was 3 years old. I have worked on military bases in the U.K. and paid U.S. taxes. I have worked...
MBA programs: Is online as good as on-site?
Q: I am a single mother and have been accepted to the Carnegie Mellon MBA program in Pittsburgh. My family isn’t thrilled about me taking my son to Pennsylvania and is trying to argue that an online MBA is just...
Should I disclose personally identifiable information on applications?
Q: I’ve been applying for both full-time and contract opportunities with AT&T, and I’ve been consistently hearing that it requires my social security number on any application. One agency, which was in India, asked me to send my full name,...
Networking can be difficult when your connections don’t share
Q: I’m facing a problem that is becoming more and more recurrent. A lot of recruiters who work for agencies will not share their LinkedIn connections, but they don’t hesitate to tap into mine. LinkedIn is truly a networking and...
How to prove employment after former company folds
Q: In updating my résumé, I contacted my last three employers to verify that they still have my work history on file. I learned that one company went out of business, and another was bought out and the new owner...
Surprise layoff leaves no time for goodbyes
Q: I was recently laid off. It was a real surprise, as I was a stellar employee of more than five years. No reason was given. I am 59, with silver hair. The company offered a severance package and a...
Use discretion when applying for a job with the competition
Q: There is a position with my employer’s main competitor that I would like to apply for. I have reviewed my new-hire packet, and non-compete agreements were only for consultants (I’m not one). However, I can’t be absolutely positive that...
Demystifying the concept of resume keywords
Q: Can you clue me in to the magic world of keywords? Where does one find the secret list of these powerful, masterful and (potentially) door-opening slayers of those who would otherwise say “no”? My assumption is that they are...
I’m sending lots of résumés, but getting no interviews
Q: I have been looking for a new job in human resources/employee benefits for the past five months. I’ve been with the same company in the same position for almost four years, working exclusively with pension and health and welfare...
How to find legitimate work-from-home opportunities
Q: I am 62, have an M.B.A. and 40-plus years of management experience with excellent references on LinkedIn. My position was eliminated in December 2009, and I have been looking for employment since with little success. That is not, however,...
If science jobs are growing, where are they?
Q: I have found very little information regarding opportunities in the science fields. Over and over again, we hear that more students should attempt to educate themselves in math and science. My eldest daughter, who graduated from The Citadel in...
Should I be wary of job ads without actual addresses or company names?
Q: Over the years, I have noticed that many companies/businesses have classified ads for jobs and only put a fax number or PO box for applicants to apply. There is no business, company, doctor or dentist listed. I find this...
I was fired from my last job. How and when do I disclose this in interviews?
Q: I've worked for mid- to large-sized banks for almost 20 years. What do I say to potential employers about being fired unfairly and my fight to have that overturned? (I have retained an attorney.) Now I am considering applying...
Property manager needs tips on finding a job in Seattle before moving here
Q: I have a very strong background in property management. I am looking to relocate to Seattle from Wisconsin. I have already contacted most of the major commercial property management companies in Seattle. My timeframe is flexible, but I wondered...
How to transition from a corporate job to the nonprofit sector
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I am searching for a position that will use my corporate work experience in the nonprofit sector. I am having trouble finding work. I have a recent Master's in Public Administration with four years of...
Is 15 years at the same company a plus or a minus in a job search?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I work in the tech industry as a software engineer, and have been with the same company for over fifteen years. I have been considering looking for a new job, as I recently discovered that...
How to make online job boards work for you
Q: I have been job-searching for the last six months using online sites such as SnagAJob, Monster, LocalJobWall, JobsOnLine, etc. and am concluding these sites are a total waste of time! I have filled out countless questionnaires and still get...
Be flexible when negotiating pay, but don’t sell yourself short
Q: I have been approached by a possible employer to help run his limousine business. I have experience and have told him my goal is to run his operation, but that I need adequate compensation for a full-time salaried position....
Are today's job fairs worth my time?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: Has the "job fair" run its course? No hiring managers are there, and they say "go to our website to apply"! Whose purpose do they serve now, job seeker, or corporate advertising? -JW, Seattle Kristen...
How new grads can find a job, when they don’t yet have work experience
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I have a quick question for you regarding job openings in Seattle. My girlfriend graduated with a finance degree and minor in communications. We have been in Seattle since August, and she keeps running into...
How to get the title and salary to go with your increased responsibility
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I've been working at the same company for several years. I have gotten increased responsibility (including people management), and I always receive positive annual reviews, but the company has consistently refused to give me the...
How to transition successfully from nonprofit jobs to corporate America
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I've worked for nonprofit organizations for the last 11 years, working in youth-centric program development, fundraising and event management for organizations such as the YMCA . After being laid off in December, I am interested...
How to get work in Seattle when relocating from abroad
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I’m British, with an American wife. We are looking to locate to the Seattle area because of familial ties. I work in IT/computers. Obviously, getting a job first would be the sensible thing to do,...
How to find an internship in Seattle
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I am completing the first year in an M.B.A. program with a supply chain concentration. I graduated with an M.S. in electrical engineering in 2009. I’m looking for a potential internship next summer in the...
How to find communications jobs in Seattle
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I recently moved back to the Seattle area after living in Chicago for a while. As a result, my current role (at JPMorgan) has become "temporary," and I am looking for a more permanent situation....
Looking for retail work? Target these Northwest companies
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I have worked mainly in the retail industry. My last job was as a group store operations manager for four states. I was responsible for inventory management and operations reporting (sales reporting, inventory, purchase orders,...
I wasn’t hired because I’m not a ‘cultural fit.’ What does that mean?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I was hoping you could give me some insight into feedback I received from an agency after I interviewed for a job with one of their clients. I thought the interviews went really well, but...
From paralegal to attorney: Work your contacts to bridge the gap
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I've been an immigration paralegal with a local international company for the last ten years. I just graduated from law school and will be sitting for the bar exam soon. My company doesn’t hire new...
How do I break out of the assistant mold, now that I have my master’s?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: For over 15 years, I've worked as an executive or program assistant. Although I had office manager duties, I was never granted the title because my previous employers stated that I didn't have the education...
How to address unemployment gaps on your resume
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: A friend sent me an article discussing the perception that the "unemployed need not apply" mentality among recruiters is changing for the better. What are your thoughts? How do you suggest I address unemployment gaps...
Can a master’s substitute for experience?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I have my MBA, worked in the transportation sector and have been unemployed for a year and a half. I have been on numerous interviews; however, I either lack experience or the potential employer does...
Facebook: job-seeking friend or foe?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I have a personal Facebook page that I use fairly frequently, and a business Facebook page with very few followers. I prefer keeping my personal and work life separate, but I know there are people...
Explore future earning potential before deciding on a degree program
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Corrected version Q: I want to go back to school to study physical therapy; currently, I have only a high-school diploma. I've been looking at associate degree and bachelor's degree programs. How do I figure out...
What am I doing wrong in interviews?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I have had a few interviews where I have not gotten the job, and it's difficult to evaluate what I'm doing wrong. I cannot get feedback from interviewers because of company policies. Where can I...
Yes, Virginia, companies still hire during the holidays
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: Does hiring slow down during the holiday season? -LD, Seattle Kristen says: Actually, the holidays are very busy for recruiters, with the exception of Thanksgiving week and the last ten business days of December. Some...
What kind of IT jobs can I get in Seattle with a two-year community college degree?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I am trying to find information about Information Technology hiring prospects in the Seattle area for students coming from community colleges with only a two-year degree. -CM, Seattle Kristen says: Luckily, IT is a large...
Why is HR telling me not to contact the hiring manager?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I recently applied for a job at a company I used to work for. I still know people there, including the hiring manager. She told me I would hear from someone in HR. After almost...
The right questions to ask during your interview
I've heard that the questions I ask the potential employer in interviews are as important as my answers to their questions. Is there a rule of thumb, or are there specific examples of questions I should be asking during interviews?
How do I explain a demotion to prospective employers?
Last year, I was given the option of taking a demotion at a significant paycut at my current employer, or being let go. Due to the economy at that time, I took the demotion. What is the best way to explain the demotion to a prospective employer?
Should I send my resume as a PDF or Word document?
In the last two or three years, the databases that recruiters use to store and search resumes have improved greatly. In the past, Word was preferred because the font characters on the document scanned exactly as they looked. PDF documents do not translate the same way; the technology saw “pictures” instead of actual letters and could not translate them properly.
How to use social networking to power your job search
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: How can I use social networking in my job search? -AH, Issaquah Kristen says: There are two ways you can incorporate social networking into your job search. The first is to take advantage of tools...
How to get a foot in the door at Google and other Puget Sound tech giants
What is the best way for an experienced professional to get a foot in the door, particularly at companies such as Google and other IT companies?
How new grads can beat the competition for entry-level positions
I graduated a year ago, and I'm wondering if you have any advice for finding out who is hiring for entry-level positions, and how to get in touch with them before they're filled?
Brand yourself: How to create a successful professional website with your resume
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: My professional history has been turbulent over the last two years. I started working as a contractor in 2009. Thankfully employed, but grossly overqualified for the work I do, I don't have much job security,...
The do’s and don'ts of resumes for tech positions
What puts a resume on the bottom of the stack or in the recycle bin?
Should I disclose my salary history when asked?
A lot of job applications and recruiters ask me for my salary history up front. Couldn't I be losing some negotiating advantage by providing this information?
How to make the switch to contract work
I work at a very large company. There is no upward mobility in my current career and I've been exploring other career options internally with no luck. I know a lot of people that have left full-time roles at the company and come back as contractors in different roles. How do I go about making this change?
What's the best way to find a job in Seattle when you don't live here yet?
I'm a former Seattleite who moved to California more than four years ago, and I’m relocating myself back to Seattle. What's the best way to find a software job in Seattle when you're searching long distance?
Why do I have to bother with an online application? Isn't a resume enough?
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: Why does it seem that every employer wants me to fill out an application online when I apply for a job? I don't understand why companies still want me to sign my name to...
Going back to school? Learn what employers value before you make your choice
I’m considering going back to school for a degree. There seem to be a lot of choices like online/distance learning, working adult programs, community colleges and local universities. What are employers looking for?
Know the terms and tips when working with staffing agencies
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I was recently hired by a temporary staffing agency. My first assignment was supposed to last six months, but ended after one, with a very positive evaluation. My recruiter told me that I would...
How to get an executive job when you’ve got the experience, but not the title
The most important thing to do is make sure that your resume and any online profiles (such as LinkedIn, Plaxo, Ning, etc.) reference the executive-level work you are doing. This would include managing staff, P & L (profit and loss) responsibility, budgets you manage and any signing authority for contracts or other legal documentation.
How to get back into your original field, when your last job led you out of it
After graduating with my B.S., I accepted a job in an industry that was different from, but related, to my area of study. After three years, I was laid off, and now I am having trouble finding a position in the field I got my degree in. What can I do to make myself more marketable?
What to do when your promotion goes to the boss' daughter
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I recently applied for and was verbally offered a managerial position at my company. I was told I would be receiving a salary increase and signing a contract for this promotion within a week....
When applying for a job, can I say I'm not available immediately?
My husband and I have decided that we cannot afford childcare during the summer months. Is it okay to answer that I am available to start a new job at the end of August?
Resume advice for a mom returning to the workforce
By Kristen Fife NWjobs Q: I am currently staying at home with my son, but I am contemplating going back to work. What suggestions do you have for updating my resume? Kristen says: There is no denying that it...
How should I prepare for a panel interview?
Companies have been using the panel interview format recently as a way to save time, both in the interview process itself and in the feedback stage. The thought is that getting your candidate in front of all interested parties at one time allows everyone to get answers to a variety of questions to reach a faster decision.
Does a phone screen count as an interview?
I applied for a job and talked to a recruiter for about half an hour on the phone. He e-mailed me later that day to say the team was interested in setting up a phone screen, even though I had already spoken to him. Is this an interview?
E-mail vs. phone: How should I follow up after sending my resume?
Most of the information I've been reading about applying for a job suggests following up with the company to make sure they received my resume. I try calling the companies, but never seem to get a live person. Why won't anyone answer the phone?
Kristen Fife is a recruiter, resume consultant, and employment expert based in the greater Seattle area.
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