Career Track Live

The Washington area is a magnet for smart, ambitious young workers. Post columnist Mary Ellen Slayter writes a regular column for these professionals who are establishing their careers locally, and offers advice online as well.

The transcript follows below.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Mary Ellen Slayter: Good afternoon, everyone! The chats are now permanantly rescheduled for Friday afternoons at 2. You can come see me after Hax!

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Pittsburgh, PA: In today's ever-tight job market (at least in Pittsburgh), can you share insight
into the difference between being flexible and -desperate people making desperate choices- when job hunting.

I got laid off 14 months ago from a mid-level business communications job that I
loved. After the layoff I returned to school full time last fall to complete a graduate degree I was already half through while also job hunting, at least part-time. I have literally had few interview calls to date for FT jobs, much less calls for jobs that compare to what I lost.

However, I did just interview for a job 70 miles away from my front door, one way.
Many of the dynamics of the job are nice, and the people are great. However, combined
with a 140 mile round trip, evening/weekend work hours, plus the cost of tolls and
wear on my car, the salary in only high twenties, which also is half of what I lost.
I am married and have a toddler. Even if I thought relocating to this town was a
good option, it couldn't logistically happen anytime soon.

I applied because out of interest for the position, although I didn't know the job was that far away. I also am slowly
going insane from job hunting and wondering when or if another call is coming.
I have limited confidence in the national, state and local economy. No surprise
that I am in an election-year battleground state.

My gut doesn't know what to do about these types of trade offs. Is this simply a
matter of the heart, or is there a rational definition of 'being flexible'? I feel
like this should be a cut and dry issue.

Mary Ellen Slayter: Don't worry about what other people consider "desperate" or "flexible." Only you know what your psyche, your family, and your finances can take. For a commute that long and a salary that low, you might find it's not really worth it. You can likely find a job near home that would give you the net income that far-away job would, after calculating expenses, and allow you to spend more time with your family than with your car.

Have you finished school yet? Have you visited your college's career counseling office?

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Queens : Mary Ellen -

I just had my 3 month anniversary at my new job and it is all right, interesting work, some personality issues at times but nothing out of the norm (I have been in the full-time workforce for 9 years now.)

However, on my first day here, while arranging my predecssor's old files, I kept a copy of her resume, etc specifically for when it is time to update mine. I move around in jobs about every 1.5 years, nothing makes me happier than checking out what else is out there. Why can't I just stay still? How should I look at my current job, what questions should I ask myself, to get the most out of working here? There is opportunity but I need how to figure out how to actually access it. My boss is rather disorganized and busy to talk to, but coworkers in lateral positions have been pretty knowledgeable (actually, if it weren't for them and their input, I would have probably left by now.)

Mary Ellen Slayter: You would have already left? After only THREE MONTHS? I realize job hopping is more common now, but you get the official Career ADHD Award.

The way you access opportunities at a job is by STICKING AROUND. Even if the learning curve for the job itself is short, building relationships takes time. Acquire a reputation for doing good work, and keep an eye out for other opportunities within the organization that interest you. Keep in touch with the people you've worked with as they leave the company, which will also help you make non-lateral moves should you decide to leave, too.

If the thought of staying at the same workplace for more than 2 years is really more than you can bear, consider switching to consulting or becoming a full-time temp. That way you can keep the same employer (which could even be yourself!), and still get to see what's out there since your clients would change.

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Long Island NY: If one company has multiple openings, does one send one cover letter or three? They are separate Job #'s so I'm thinking three because maybe they're going their respective departments?

Mary Ellen Slayter: Are you qualified for all three jobs?

Are they functionally the same?

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Reston, VA: Oh, Mary Ellen, I'm absolutely terrified. After reading your July 11th article on the younger un/employed crowd, it got me thinking what the state of our nation is going to be like 10, 15, 20 years from now. With college degrees quickly becoming required for most decent jobs, requiring lots of money in order to get those degrees, which requires either more state/gov funded loans, grants or rich relatives. I envision a nation of "rich get richer, poor get poorer." As it is, I'm a gal in her late 20s, single, no degree, average salary, and I'm looking at never being able to afford a home in this area as housing costs continue to rise, my salary not rising as much, but no money to get a degree with. Unless I sacrifice my heart and marry the first rich guy I see, I'll be forced to have roommates for the rest of my life, or move further out and waste 3-4 hours commuting. Doesn't all of this have to end sometime?

Mary Ellen Slayter: Don't be terrified. Go to school. I am serious. Whether it's community college or a trade school. Even if you have to borrow, and even if it means having roommates or selling your car. College educations do represent the real divide between the haves and havenots in this country.

We shouldn't relinquish our power to change the direction of some of these ill-designed social policies, but we'll be better able to do that work the better educated we are.

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Silver Spring, MD: How do I go about negotiating a salary? I have two job offers, one that I am more interested in with a slightly higher salary, but abysmal benefits package. The other I am interested in (but not as much), offers a slightly lower salary but great benefits. I would like to ask job #1 for a higher salary to counteract the lack of benefits, but I am not sure how.

Mary Ellen Slayter: Tell them you're highly interested in the job, but that you need either 1. Better benefits or 2. a salary increase to compensate for that. The attitude to take is not a demanding one, but more like "What do we need to do to make this deal happen?"

Which benefits specifically are they skimping on? Vacation is the easiest to negotiate on. Health care is the toughest.

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Re. Long Islander and 3 jobs: Probably over-qualified since I have a masters and the only way they're the same is that they're all assistant positions (media and two different project ones). They're in DC, so I'm looking to relocate.

Mary Ellen Slayter: Pick the one you really want, and apply only to that one. Write a killer cover letter.

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Pennsylvania: "However, I did just interview for a job 70 miles away from my front door, one way."

I live 45 mins away from my current job and by Friday the drive is numbing. Having a family at home, work to do there, slowing down mentally to deal with children's needs and finding the energy to enjoy your husband's company is going to become overwhelming. Another consideration is the weather in winter and it's effect on driving conditions.

Sorry to obsess over the drive but that is a major consideration when you have family and want to maintain it.

JMHO and a little bit of experience.

Mary Ellen Slayter: You're not obsessing. You're wise to realize how much effect commuting has on your quality of life.

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Silver Spring, MD: My question is about my resume. I earned a PH.D in a sort of obscure field that has nothing to do with what I'm doing now. I'd like to know if I should put my degree after my name at the top of my cover letter and resume, or just let them find out about my Ph.D. when they get to the section about my educational history? I know that my degree helped me get the job I currenly have, even though it was in an unrelated field. They told me that they liked the fact that I had an advanced degree. Thanks!;

Mary Ellen Slayter: Just put it in the education section. This could be my working-class roots showing, but when I see a string of academic letters after someone's name, I think "pretentious!"

But you know your field better than I do. If you think it carries some cachet, put it by your name.

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To the Long Islander: When I was job hunting and would be interested in more than one position with an organization- I would often mention in my cover letter something like: I have previously applied for a postion with X company because I truly identify with the misison of your organization and believe I would be a valuable asset to your team.

Mary Ellen Slayter: Good point. Also, since HR is likely to get a pass at the letter even if it goes straight to the department, it wouldn't hurt to mention that you are also interested in other jobs at the company.

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Re Terrified in Reston: From an old guy: in the middle 70s (which is when I graduated from collage) you would have thought civilization as we know it was about to end. Big recession, two years of bad stock market, inflation, kids would never have quality of life as good as their parents, Japan was going to buy America, gas lines, etc, etc, etc.

Its always this way and we always get through it.

Mary Ellen Slayter: I hope you're right!

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DC: How important is simple "career experience" to a potential employer? I am a smart 24-year-old who went to a good college and got good grades. For the past year I have worked as a legal assistant and, honestly, I couldnt tell a potential future employer that I have learned any true skills in this position. The most I can say is that I have learned how to function in the professional world.

Mary Ellen Slayter: Actually, that simple "career experience" is more important to a future employer than your good grades at your good college.

Presumably you've learned to manage your time, obtain and organize the materials you need to work, and network. These "soft" skills matter, and even though they are hard to convey on a resume, a hiring manager knows there's a difference between someone with no professional experience and someone who's been working for a year.

As for more tangible skills, are you sure you haven't acquired/practiced any in the past year? Take an inventory of your job duties and ask yourself what you regularly do now that you never did before, as well as what you now do better.

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Fairfax A: another two cents worth on the 70-mile commute. DO NOT take this job until you have tried the commute at the time of day you will have to do it!; We had a woman (with a 4-yr old in day care) come to work here who lasted a month before the 1 1/2 hour each-way commute did her in and she had to find another job, and this was a professional-level, challenging position. She hadn't tried out the commute in rush hour, but had interviewed mid-day. The difference was astounding!;

Mary Ellen Slayter: Very good point. 70 miles each way even with no traffic would seem overwhelming to me. I'd rather stay home with my kid and live off of ramen than do THAT every day.

I think she knows in her gut that this job isn't right for her, but just wants her to back her up.

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For Reston: I agree--go to school. I just finished a 2 year grad school program. I left my job, moved 300 miles, and took out some loans (and got some scholarships). You know what? It was totally worth it. Even if it takes you 4 years to get your degree, so what? Those 4 years are going to pass anyway...you might as well be taking steps to get where you want.

I make slightly more than I did before, and expect to make significantly more in a few years. Because I was not juggling working full time and going to school, I was able to focus on what I was learning, took opportunities to work with profs and on outside projects, etc., and got work experience to add to my "education increase". As a "late 20's" gal, you may also find people at college want to hire you for part time--you likely have more skills and a better work ethic than the "traditionally aged" student.

As for $$, yeah, loans stink, but most people have them. Do some research on colleges or universities that are "best value" type places. See what schools have good financial aid. Look for scholarships. Or don't go back full time, but look for a job change to a place with tuition assistance.

Mary Ellen Slayter: All good tips. Thanks!

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Washington DC: When to quit trying to get a job at one company is my question. I want to get a second job teaching. Had a phone interview. Did the application. Sent in references. Etc. Etc. Etc. First time around my references were lost. Okay. This time, new session, I emailed. Then called. Was told, "I have your information and I'm not hiring yet." That was a month ago. The new session starts soon. I just wnat the experience, and need the money.

Am I being dense? Is it time for me to get the proverbial clue and realize the lady doesn't want me? Can I try to call one more time?

Mary Ellen Slayter: E-mail one more time, and then let it go.

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Annapolis, MD: Speaking of "go to school": have you heard much feedback good or bad on distance learning (such as online courses)? If you don't mind one more question: being out of work over a year, I have worked part-time with relative but it is not related to my field -- is it better to leave it off the resume? Thanks.

Mary Ellen Slayter: I think it depends on the particular course, and who's providing it. For example, I think it'd be fairly easy to get through college algebra online. Not so easy for learning to speak Spanish. I'd start by looking at the courses offered by the big public universities. In your case, try the University of Maryland.

Before you sign up for such a course, look carefully at your reasons. They will NOT take less time that going to a physical campus. My friends who have taken such classes say it actually takes more time.

As for your second question ... I'd probably put the PT job on my resume, just to show I had been doing something for the past year. They're going to want you to explain the gaps in your interview anyway.

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Washington, DC (U-Street Cordoza): I was recently given a conditional offer pending my background investigation to get TS Clearance.

My concern is ... once they start the investigation and notify my current employer, I'm afraid they might act out and possibly fire me or make it very uncomfortable for me. I've only been at this publication for about 6 months.

In light of this revelation, I contacted the recruiter for the new offer and asked if there were any positions that the agency had that did NOT require a security clearance. I explained to her my reasons for the inquiry and she totally understood.

She got me an interview with the finance department for the company which I am awaiting the completion of the background investigation.

Should I be worried about my current job? I am not happy here and I am totally looking forward to starting the new position as a special investigator, pending, of course, I receive the top secret clearance.

I have an interview for the interim position on Tuesday. Should I follow through with covering my hiney?

Mary Ellen Slayter: Relax. I think you've already done a spectacularly savvy job of covering it.

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