Richmond, VA: How can the stigma of being out of the work force for a long time be overcome? I left my last job in March '99 to take a break and get more advanced technical training. I have been diligently looking for a new position since August and have been on several interviews. The reasons vary but the result is the same - no one is making an offer. I have been totally qualified for these positions; I have great social skills and interview well. But there is always an awkward silence when they realize how long I've been out of the work force.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Lisa King: This is a common problem, particularly for women. They take time out of the workforce to raise children or care for a parent and then have difficulty finding a job. Think about what you did while you weren't working and see if any of that experience is relevant to the jobs you're applying for. For example, if you helped in the local library's computer room, include that as recent experience. Chances are there is something that can make your experience more current.

Silver Spring, MD: Lisa,

I am currently in Technical Sales for a large software company and am looking to transition into Internet Marketing. Do you have any advice on the best way to transition into that career?

Lisa King: The first step is to visit the Netpreneur Program (http://www.netpreneur.com) and subscribe to the Ad/Marketing list. This is the best resource in the Washington, DC area for Internet marketing (and it's free). The Netpreneur Program also has monthly "Coffee & Doughnuts" programs that provide wonderful networking opportunities.

There are also several new books on Internet marketing that can help you understand the basics.

Washington, DC: Without close friends in the companies as recruiters or hiring managers, how to network with valuable people who can generate jobs?

Where to go, what events should be attended?

Richard

Lisa King: The Washington Post has a column in the Tech Thursday Business Section called "Face Time." That lists all the tech events going on for the next week. Groups including Capital PC Users Group, New Media Society, the Netpreneur program, DC Web Women, Women in Technology, etc. have networking events that are great places to meet people - those with jobs and recruiters.

Arlington, VA: Which of the local technical training companies provides the best preparation for a novice web developer?

Lisa King: There are many training companies in the area. The most important factor is choosing the proper level training for your current skills. Don't jump into a Cold Fusion class before you know HTML. Ask for references and check them. Classes can be a substantial investment, so make sure that you like the teaching style. Westlake provides many workshops for DC Web Women.

alexandria, VA: Do you think that there is a glass ceiling within the IT industry?

Lisa King: While there are more women entering the field, there are still few in upper management. HP now has a woman CEO, as does local high tech company DIGEX. Computers have been viewed as "boy toys" for a long time, and only now is that beginning to change. I heard a radio ad for a local high tech company and they specifically said, "no glass ceiling here." I found that encouraging - people are beginning to confront the problem instead of ignoring it.

Washington, DC: Lisa: As someone with low-tech skills, how to I make the leap into the high-tech economy? What do tech companies look for in workers that aren't technically trained in web building and the like. And what sort of non-high-tech jobs are available with these companies?

Lisa King: My advice is always: don't switch careers to follow money, figure out what will make you happy and use that to guide your career decision. And remember, that even high tech companies still need accountants, secretaries, building managers and all those other jobs that every company needs.

Arlington, VA: What suggestions for a 52 year-old female MA in training with 11+ years of college teaching experience, 11+ years of corporate training and development experience, but with a patch-work work history due to international moves, company layoffs, and caregiving of elderly parents? I am currently temping, but admin. support doesn't pay the bills. Use a functional resume tailored to the job applied, but employers want youth and a work history that they understand.

Lisa King: You may want to find a recruiter or career counselor that can help you put your resume together in a package that employers can understand. Again, try to find some relevant experience from the times you weren't working that can fill in the gaps.

Washington, DC: What are the most essential items a freelance new media designer needs to secure commercial work?

Lisa King: A lawyer to help you develop your contracts; a good accounting software package to help keep track of tax information, and the willingness to go out and find work. One place to start might be small printers - show them your portfolio and ask if they would recommend you to clients who need graphics work.

Fredericksburg, VA: Hello, Ms. King, Thank you for taking time to field questions and provide information. Do you have any advice for a career changer with a liberal arts background who is looking for a way to break in to technical writing?

Lisa King: There is a new Tek.Xam to help liberal arts students show their proficiency in basic Internet technologies. You could also take a class at a local community college in technical writing to add that experience to your resume. Good technical writers are in high demand. Investigate the Society for Technical Communications for additional information on mentoring, training, etc.

Washington, DC: I've been working as a project manager in the nonprofit sector since I left college seven years ago. I've been waiting to make the leap to a high-tech job, as I've been a freelance web designer and novice programmer for three years. What is the best way to network for a new career in high-tech? Will my project management skills transfer?

Lisa King: Project management skills are sorely needed by many companies, and yes, they should transfer without difficulty. There are numerous opportunities for networking. Read the Face Time column in the Post in the Tech Thursday business section. And attend the Netpreneur Program's (http://www.netpreneur.org) Coffee & Doughnuts monthly meetings.

Woodbridge,VA:

What do you do when you are not given any work at your job after coming back from maternity leave? Do you stay or do you leave? I was not given a salary increase either.
I am having a hard time at work, the only mom
in the department, I never thought having a career and being a parent would be so difficult. I know I am not alone, many women experience the same obstacles, but seem to hang in there.

Lisa King: I would find a new job with a more flexible employer. Unfortunately only some employers recognize the importance of flexible benefits. In the long run, it builds employee loyalty and reduces turnover costs. If you really like the job and want to stay, discuss the situation with your HR person.

Laurel, MD: I am a DC teacher wondering the best way to get into the IT field with little re-schooling? Also what are the best places to look into re-schooling, if indeed necessary? Thanks Desperate Teacher

Lisa King: It depends on what you teach, but assuming you are in a non-technical field, look for jobs that are closest to what you do now. For example, if you are an English teacher, explore technical writing jobs. If you are a foreign language teacher, investigate translating jobs - manuals needs to be written in more than just English. There are many training companies in the area - select one based on what you want to do and check their references.

Washington, DC: What advice do you have for breaking into the freelance world?

Lisa King: Save several months worth of expenses, so you give yourself a cushion to get up and running. Tell everyone you know that you're looking for work. Pay a lawyer to help you develop your contracts or find good ones on the web. Pay your quarterly taxes and keep good track of income and expenses. Network like crazy and keep your skills fresh. Good luck!

Jobs: I also want to suggest something regarding motherhood and an inflexible employer. There are companies you can look up who are noted for their great treatment of working parents. For example, Booz Allen and Hamilton is noted for being an excellent workplace for working mothers.

Washington, D.C.: I'm in an organization called Forty-Plus which helps professionals over 40 to find jobs or change careers. For those of us in technical fields -mainframe programmer-analysts- who blinked and missed the web-wave, where is the best place to start to "update our skills"?

Lisa King: Some of those skills are still applicable. I think everyone should take basic HTML. You might be more interested in pursuing Cisco certification, since that deals with routers and moving data. There are several companies in the area that teaches Cisco courses, including Ameritrain.

Jobs: We are now halfway through this live event, talking about networking and online success with special guest Lisa King, President of DC Web Women. Please submit your questions, now; we look forward to answering them.

Alexandria, VA: I graduated from college in April of this year and managed to find a decent, well-paying position doing work similar to that for which I went to school. I recognize how fortunate that is but I've been feeling as though I'm missing out on a career in a field that would most speak to my passions and am wondering how appropriate it is to "job-hop" at this point in my career. I'm 22 and have only been in my current position for about four months.

Lisa King: It's okay to make a job mistake right out of college, as long as you don't make a habit of it. You can start looking, but be picky, because you'll want to try to stay there for a year. I'm all for pursuing your passions. There's a lot to be said for being happy at work. Good luck.

Falls Church, VA: I'm web designer, working full-time for a company in Northern Virginia. I'm interested in freelancing in my free time and would like to find out how to do so.
Diana

Lisa King: First, check your agreement with your company and make sure that you don't have a non-compete clause or anything forbidding you from taking outside work. Once you're sure that you won't be violating any agreements, tell everyone you know that you're looking for freelance work. Volunteer to do some designs for a group that you're involved with, and build up your portfolio.

DC: Lisa,
I am a computer worker who has been a mainframe systems programmer for about 20
years. -Yes, I know how old that makes me.-
Now I am ready for something new and would
like to get into some kind of Web work.
I have begun studying HTML, XML,
etc on my own. Is there any hope for me at all ?

Lisa King: There is hope. There are many tutorials available online. Web Monkey is an excellent place to start. The O'Reilly series of books are also great resources - go to a used bookstore and look for those. Then, start developing sites on your own. You can volunteer or make up your own sites to showcase your abilities. Then you will have something to show potential employers.

Centreville ,VA: Why is it difficult for a woman to find a job in IT ?

Lisa King: It depends on what part of the IT field - there are many women working in Internet development. DC Web Women has over 2,000 members working in all areas of new media and Internet related technology. You might join one of the local groups for women (DC Web Women, Women in Technology, Women in Computing, etc.) to help your networking and other skills.

Alexandria, VA: I practiced law in New York for twelve years before relocating to the Washington D.C. area last year. I would like to launch a new career in new media. While I worked in media and marketing for Young & Rubicam in NYC for three years prior to becoming a lawyer, I do not have any "online marketing"
experience. I also do not have any technical experience.
There appear to be many employment opportunities in this burgeoning field in the DC area, I have highly developed oral and written communication skills, management experience, and many other skills which would transfer to a challenging business environment, but I am having trouble just getting in the door. What do you advise?

Lisa King: Combine what you already do with what you want to do. Intellectual property and copyright law are areas that are in flux with the advent of the Internet. Many high-tech companies would love to have your legal experience as they sort out the possibilities of new legislation, etc. That will get you in the door and give you a chance to learn and prove your worth.

Columbia, Maryland: Do you handle men's employment problems? What advice do you give to a person who had worked his way up the management level to Director of Engineering and now near the end of his career he finds himself prematurely retired?

Lisa King: The Netpreneur Program (http://www.netpreneur.org) has an email list for people looking to hire for Director level and above positions. It's called the ActionNet list, and you can subscribe from their web site.

good luck!

McLean, VA: I am professional currently working in Internet application development for a major consulting firm. However, I am interested in working as an independent consultant. What steps should I take to start such a career path?

Lisa King: Consult a lawyer and a tax professional to see if it would be better for you to incorporate. Save several months worth of expenses to give yourself a cushion. Keep in mind that independent consultants must be working and looking for work at the same time. You might investigate Aquent - they work with independent consultants to assist with invoicing.

Washington, DC: I have been a restaurant manager for a fine dining restaurant as well as a public relations director and banquet coordinator.
I now realize that I have reached my maximum potential with the restaurant and no longer care to work in a restaurant environment, but would still like to work in the industry-related fields.....what would you suggest as far as work.....even getting into public relations...would I need to go to school for more training or would a company do that for me in their environment?

Lisa King: You already have many of the skills needed. Restaurant management is challenging and fast-paced, always dealing with something different. These are the same skills needed in the IT industry. Since you know the basics of PR and marketing, a company would be willing to teach you about their business. But in the meantime, while you're looking, read all you can. Subscribe to the Netpreneur Ad/Marketing list to learn the hot topics. Make sure your resume focuses on your skills, rather than the restaurant environment and send it out.

odenton,md:

Well here it goes!

I'm a 31 yr. old IT professional. I have 10+ years of IT experience to include PC-LAN tech and windows admin. I have approx. 64 credits towards a BS in a IT related curriculum from Anne Arundel CC and Capitol College in Laurel. I have passed 3 of the 6 required MCSE exams and I'm currently studying for the 4th. I plan to complete my MCSE by year's end or early next year. My question is, should I next pursue my BS at an institute like Strayer or U of M University College, pursue the Windows 2000 certificate or the Cisco CCNA? My career goal is to become a LAN-WAN Eng. using Cisco technology. My short-term goal is to move up the pay scale ladder and gain as much hands on experience as possible.

Lisa King: My advice is to decide which is most important to you, and focus on finishing that. BS is becoming required for many employers, so you might want to concentrate on that. I don't remember which Microsoft exams are changing next year with Windows 2000, so you might want to wait for the new exams instead of finishing a MCSE that will become obsolete. Cisco certification is difficult, but can be rewarding. You have to really like router configuration though.

lanham, MD: what is best way to find job online?

Lisa King: There are many different job boards available online. Monster is one of the most popular, and has neat features like allowing you to block your own employer from seeing your resume. Not all jobs are on every board, so you'll want to investigate more than one or two. I've heard a lot of radio ads for Techound lately, but haven't visited.

Washington, DC: I just started at website editor certificate program and now I'm hearing that there is an oversupply of web designers. Is this true? If so, how can I best compete? I have government sector project management experience and love the E-commerce world. Help! Need ideas. Thanks.

Lisa King: You are getting the project management and ecommerce skills you need to compete. There may be a glut of people who want to be web designers, but there is still a shortage of qualified, experienced people. You are combining a certificate program with a real-world application of the knowledge, so you're on the right track.

Washington, DC: I enjoy working with graphics and desktop publishing. I have learned to develop web sites with the standards for developing a good site. I have notice that some are too busy and have too many graphics.

is it absolutely necessary to learn Java and the other technical part of it? I know HTML, but I am turned off with JAVA and JAVA Script.tget

Lisa King: It's true - many sites have become a showcase of "look what I can do" and ignore the usability. There are jobs for straight HTML, but good use of Java and JavaScript can add to a site in the same way too much can detract. It's always good to know at least the basics of additional technologies.

virginia: www.netpreneur.com

This site is not available.... it is owned by a shopping network. Maybe, they have moved?

Lisa King: I apologize - I typed too fast. It's http://www.netpreneur.org

Jobs: That's all the time we have now. Thanks to everyone for participating, especially our guest Lisa King, president of DC Web Women. Next Monday, Amy Joyce returns with special guest, Chris Jones, president of Politemps, a legislative, government, and political temp staffing service for the DC area. See you then!

Jobs: Oh, and before you go, check out Jobs, the online career and recruitment center, here, on the WashingtonPost.com network.