Is an MBA degree worth the time and trouble?

 What is your strategy for going back to get your MBA?
Your Rant: I can’t decide if I should go back for my MBA. On one hand I think it will help my career; on the other, it’s a lot of time and money.

911 Repair:

Join the club. At last count there were 372,000 people enrolled in [...]

How to get the most out of your references

Dear WW: A job interviewer asked me for references. Is it best to approach people first, or is it as waste of time because they probably won’t be contacted anyway? GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
Dear GHOST,
A friend of mine was driving her car with her three-year old. She asked if he’d like to go to Herfie’s, [...]

Cover me, how to write a cover letter

 What is your strategy for writing a cover letter?
Your Rant: I’ve always thought cover letters were a waste of paper. But recently I talked to a friend who said that he hired someone based totally on what they said in their cover letter. Am I off base?
911 Repair,
Have you heard of “The Swan”? It’s [...]

Promotion inside my company is who knows who-Ahhhh

Your Rant: I’ve always heard that going through Human Resources for a job is a waste of time and that you should approach the person hiring directly. That’s fine if you know people, how do you do it when you don’t know anyone? 
911 Repair,
Your email reminded me a zoo suffering from a lot of [...]

Fork in the road-which career path do I choose?

What’s your strategy for choosing a career?
Your Rant: I’ve been working at the same job since I was nineteen. I’m ready to do something else, but I don’t know what. How can you figure out what you should do when you grow up? 
911 Repair,
Anyone with a pet knows that animals dream. But what about? [...]

A lame career counselor & now I limp through a job search

 What’s your strategy with career counselors?
Your Rant: I’m looking for a job. I went to a career counselor who came up with a bunch of lame ideas and then said our contract was over when none of them panned out. Am I crazy to think about going to another one, or are they all useless?
Last [...]

Temporary insanity from temp employment-I want a job!

What’s your strategy for turning a temporary job into a permanent position?
Your Rant: I’ve been trying to use temp agencies to get a permanent job, but it’s not working. I keep getting stuck in go-nowhere assignments. 
911 Repair
You’re not alone in trying to turn a temporary situation to your long-term advantage. When the Pope visited [...]

View from the corner office, what employers are looking for

What are your strategies for learning what employers are looking for in an employee?
Your Rant: Recently I was laid off and I’m having to get back into the job hunt. I’ve really lost touch with what employers are looking for. Any advice?
911 Repair,
Your email reminded me of John Gladney, who had almost pulled off [...]

I’m a project–tips for successful project management

What are your strategies for successful project management?
Your Rant: My company dismantled its old departments and now assigns us to project teams. I feel like I’m getting a new job every few months! I miss the old stability. I’ve thought about changing jobs but it seems like the same thing is happening everywhere. Tell me [...]

What, not who–get ahead through information interviews

What are your strategies for finding out more about a job or career that intrigues you?
Your Rant: I’ve been going out on a lot of interviews. I work really hard at them and I feel like I’ve got a good track record to show off, but I haven’t found a job yet.

911 Repair
I recently learned [...]