Ask the Jobs Expert

Looking for advice on how to get ahead in your career? Whether you’re looking for information about in-demand occupations, job interview tips, suggestions on where to look for jobs, or any other career-related issues, submit your questions to the LoveToKnow Jobs Expert.

Please Note: Love To Know jobs is an informational resource, not an employment agency. While we are happy to provide tips and suggestions related to general job and career questions, we do not provide job leads, nor do we refer people out for job placement. Please do not submit personal contact information in your questions. All inquiries containing personally identifiable information are subject to deletion.

Meet the LTK Jobs Expert: Mary White, M.A., SPHR, is an experienced training professional and human resources consultant. She is the co-founder of Mobile Technical Institute & MTI Business Solutions, and has extensive experience in career education, corporate training, professional development, certification preparation, and HR consulting. Mary has has been helping individuals at all levels of their careers get the skills they need to reach their goals since 1994.

Do you have a question for the LoveTo Know Jobs Expert? Leave it in the Comment Box at the bottom of this page, and click the Save button. Don't forget to check the Recent Ask the Jobs Expert Questions for your answer within in 24-48 hours. Due to the volume of questions received, it is not possible to respond to every inquiry.

Dear Mary,

I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and I am currently completing a Diploma in Education, specializing in ESl and LOTE. However, I am not sure if I now want to be a teacher. In fact I don't really know what I want to do. I am 25 years old and so feel I really need to start establishing my career. Are there any suggestions that you could make? The job needs to inspire inspire me because I am creative person.

~~Thanks, Don't know what to do?

Expert Reply

Don't know what to do?

It's not unusual to have doubts about your career choice. If you are questioning whether or not you want to teach, maybe it would be a good idea for you to voluteer to do some tutoring or teaching assistant work. That might help you figure out if this type of work is right for you. You may also find it beneficial to meet with a career counselor. Remember, you are the only person who can decide what type of career is best for you - but a career counselor who has an opportunity to meet with you in person may well be able to help you figure out what types of jobs best meet your needs. Don't forget that many people change careers. If you find that you're not happy with your initial career, you can always look for a different type of job.

Sincerly,

Mary

Dear Mary,

I am considering moving to Greece and i need to find a job/career. There is a particular place i am interested in called "Spiti Gimnastikis" in Argiroupoli Athens. I don't believe they have a website and i don't know how to contact them from the United States. I would love to teach gymnastics there and would like to know how much they pay and what the hours are. Can you help? Or just help me find a teaching job at a public school in Athens.

~~Thank you, Irene

Expert Reply

Irene,

If you're interested in working in Greece, the first thing you'll need to do is find out what's involved in getting a permit to live and work in the country. You can find information about how to go about becoming eligible to work in Greece on DIYExpat.com. Once you learn if it's feasible for you to seek employment in the country, you can start the process of seeking a job there. Love To Know Jobs is an informational resource, not an employment service. Someone with the agency that grants work permits should be able to point you in the right direction regarding where and how to look for employment in Greece. Best of luck with your career goals.

Sincerely,

Mary

Hello Mary,

I am physically handicapped. I am working as chief cashier in my home town in India. I want settle out of India will you tell how this is possible.

~Sincerely, Gurmeet Singh

Expert Reply

Gurmeet -

The process of looking for and securing international employment depends greatly on where you want to live. Each country has its own guidelines and requirements for issuing work permits to foreign nationals. The first thing you'll need to do is identify some of the place you'd like to settle so you can research what's involved in getting cleared to live and work there. There is information about seeking employment in many countries in the Job Openings category on LoveToKnow Jobs. You can also do an Internet search for countries that particularly interest you entering a country name an the phrase "work permit" or "work visa" in a search engine. Best of luck on your search for international employment.

Sincerely,

Mary

Jackie -

I am a CPA with a BBA in Accounting. Most of my experience is in cash management and corporate accounting. I am a mom who wants to work part time or have a flexible schedule. It is not possible where I currently work and part time accounting jobs are impossible to find. I'm considering changing careers. What kind of careers offer the most part time opportunities or the possibility to work from home? I am open to returning to college.

~~Sincerely, Jackie

Expert Reply

Jackie -

Have you checked with accounting firms, payroll companies, bookkeeping services, and tax preparation companies in your area? While part-time corporate accounting jobs may well be hard to come by, many accounting service businesses hire part time employment opportunities. While the pay isn't likely to be comparable to that of a corporate level job that requires a CPA, if flexibility is what you're looking for, this may be a good opportunity for you.

More and more employers are recruiting part time employees, and telecommuting opportunities are becoming more frequent. Love To Know Jobs has several articles with information that can help you get started thinking about different fields if a career change is what you seek. For more information, see:

• Part Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs with Benefits
• Careers that Offer Flexibility
• Companies that Employ Telecommuters
• Jobs for Stay at Home Moms

You may also want to visit FlexJobs.com to get an idea of the types of jobs that are actively being marketed to individuals who are seeking flexible and telecommuting work opportunities.

~~Sincerely, Mary

Good Morning Mary, I would like to get employment in one of Norway sea company as a sea cook. My sea experience is over 15 years, including work with Norwegian crew. May i ask you an advice with which of companies i have to contact to? I live in Latvia and have citizenship of Latvia.

~~Have a nice day, Igors

Expert Reply

Igors,

Thank you for visiting Love To Know Jobs. If you're interested in working in Norway, the first thing you'll need to do is find out what is involved in getting a Work Permit that allows you to work in the country. See Norway.org. Additionally, please see Jobs in Norway for information about seeking work in the country and links that can help you start researching companies and employment opportunities.

~~Sincerely, Mary

Dear Mary,

I have some college under my belt; however I have been convicted of 2 misdemeanors in my past. I fear that this can or will hold me back. Are there any careers that come to mind that would not allow this to hinder my chances? I know all companies claim to be EOE, but there is always an alarm that rings when people check yes to that question.

I really want to get my life on track and get into a career that I can both be satisfied with and can get my life started. Any assistance would be extremely beneficial as I do not want to end up like most people who give up.

~~Ben

Expert Reply

Ben,

Congratulations on your decision to move in a positive direction. Many employers are willing to give someone with a less than spotless background a chance. However, there are no specific fields I can suggest you concentrate on. The way employers view criminal histories can vary greatly, even with in the same occupation. What I can suggest you do is choose a career field that interests you and that isn't directly related to the types of legal problems you have had during the past. For example, if your past convictions involved theft, employers may not be comfortable hiring you for positions where you'll have access to money or product inventory. However, if you're applying for a customer service or research job, this type of prior conviction might not be viewed as a problem.

No matter what, make sure that you are completely honest when filling out job applications. Having a misdemeanor on your record isn't an automatic disqualifier for most jobs, but lying about your background is. Employers view lying about one's criminal history as a problem with present-day honesty and integrity, and they aren't going to hire you if you lie during the application process. When asked, be honest, assure the employer that your past problems are truly in your past, and focus on what you have to offer as an employee.

Once you get a job, start to build a positive employment history, and stay out of trouble, you'll find that looking for new jobs is less stressful and nerve wracking. Best of luck in your job search.

~~Sincerely, Mary

Dear Mary,

I have recently applied for a job with a large firm. In my resume it states that I worked abroad for a period of time. However, I have lost touch contact with that employer and we broke up in bad terms. I am afraid that the employer is capable of denying that they ever employed me. I don't know what the likelihood of the firm verifying my employment is, but I am concerned. Do you have any suggestions?

~~Thanks, Scott

Expert Reply

Scott, There is a good chance that any large firm will conduct a thorough background screen before offering you a job, and this will include verifying your self reported employment history When applying for jobs, it's essential to be completely honest on your resume and job application forms. Most people "lose touch" with their former employers, so your situation certainly is not unique. It would be highly irregular for an employer to deny that a former employer worked there. If you're very concerned, you may want to contact the HR department and your former employer to alert him or her to the fact that you're looking for a job and that employment verification calls might be coming in about you. Best of luck on your job search.

Sincerely,

Mary

Dear Mary,

I am a qualified pediatrician. I am Mauritian and have my degree from Romania live in the UK but I have to take exams to get registered by the GMC.I would like to look for a job in the meantime in the medical field but am confused. What kind of job should I look for?

~~ Thanks, Karuna

Expert Reply

Karuna, The jobs you might be eligible for are largely dependent on the licensure requirements for various positions where you are located. You may be qualified to work in a medical lab, or in a variety of positions in a hospital. Contact the hospitals in your area and find out what types of jobs you are eligible for while you are waiting to take the exam. It's also a good idea to put in applications with employment services in your area, particularly the ones that specialize in medical placements. Call employment agencies in your area and discuss your situation. They'll likely be able to refer you to job opportunities that match your interests and qualifications. Best of luck in your job search.

Sincerely,

Mary

Dear Mary,

I'm Harpreet, a native of India, a convent educated, done Masters in Home Science(Gold Medalist) & B.Ed.(1st Div.) with English & Science as Teaching Subjects. I've cleared IELTS too. I'm in Education Industry, having more than 12yrs of teaching experience. At present working as a Teacher coordinator in one of the best schools in North India. I'm keen to use my expertise in Global Environment and wish to work abroad in Education industry. Please suggest that how can I fulfill my wish.

~~ Thanks & Best Regards, Mrs. Harpreet Oberoi

Expert Reply

Harpreet,

There are many different types of teaching jobs in every nation on the planet. Each country has different needs, academic and licensure requirements, and different policies regarding international workers. The best thing to do is spend a little time researching teaching opportunities in the areas you'd like to work. Check with the government agency that oversees education in the places you're interested in working to find out what types of requirements exist for the types of jobs you seek. This will help you learn where your job search efforts will be best spent.

You may also want to look for openings on websites that focus on worldwide teaching opportunities, including Academic Careers Online, Escape Artist, and Educators Overseas. Best of luck with your job search.

Sincerely,

Mary White

Dear Mary,

I am a qualified B.PHARMACY graduate with 13 years working experiences in United Arab Emirates as Retail Pharmacist (Community Pharmacist). Now, I would like to work any european countries/Western countries/South east asian countries. Kindly advice me how to obtain job offer? How to get work permit? Can you advise me some good website to be useful for good and really job recruiter?

~~Sincerely, Samad

Expert Reply

Samad,

If you're interested in working overseas you need to start by researching what's involved in getting a permit to work in the countries that you would like to live in. While you may be willing to work in a wide variety of countries, you'll need to research each country individual. Do an Internet search looking for the names of countries that interest you along with "work permit" or "work visa". This will allow you to determine the best way to proceed. We have a few articles with this type of information on the Love To Know jobs website. See the Job Openings category page to see if any of the countries that interest you are listed. Best of luck in your job search.

Sincerely,

Mary White

Dear Mary,

I am a secretary / administrative assistant with 30+ years experience. I have worked for Fortune 500 companies (AT&T, Battelle Memorial Institute). I want to transition into a Legal Secretary position. Friends have told me they worked part-time for attorneys, learned what was needed then worked their way up. Is formal training necessary for a L. S. ? Also, how do I go about finding attorneys who will allow you to transition into this field?

~~Sincerely, Karon

Expert Reply

Dear Karon,

There isn't a simple answer to your question. It's true that formal training isn't a requirement for transitioning to a position as a legal secretary, and that many people work their way into these types of jobs. However, I doubt that with 30 years experience you want to go back to an entry-level position and work your way up.

I think you would likely benefit from enrolling in a short-term paralegal or legal secretary position. This will serve two important purposes. First, you'll learn the legal terminology and research techniques you'll need to perform this type of work. Second, by pursuing training specific to a legal career you'll demonstrate to employers that you are serious about transitioning to this field.

As far as finding attorneys to work for, there's no set formula. There's no way to predict who might find your skills and experience to be a perfect fit for a legal secretary position. I think it's a good idea to develop a list of law firms in your area, search their web sites for employment postings, and submit resumes to all of them that have openings posted. If some look appealing, but don't have jobs or application procedures posted you can still apply. Call and ask for the name of the person in charge of human resources and send in a resume.

If there's a chapter of the National Association of Legal Assistants in your area, consider joining it. You'll be able to list the membership on your resume. You'll also make valuable contacts with people working in the field you want to enter. If you get involved and make a good impression, you just might find yourself being referred to the perfect job. You may also consider registering with a reputable employment agency in your community, specifically one that does a good bit of placement in local law firms.

Best of luck in your career transition.

~~Mary

Hello Mary,

I have been working as a medical transcriber for the last three-and-a-half years but unfortunately, I am not happy with this career anymore and want to quit my job. I started working for another medical transcription company about three months ago, and I feel embarrassed about quitting after just three months of employment. I am also not sure who I should contact (my account manager, my recruiter, etc.), because this company is in a different state, and I work as an independent contractor at home and have never met any of the employees face-to-face. I need some advice about what I should say to quit my job. Thank you very much. ~~ Anouche

Expert Reply

Dear Anouche - There's no reason to feel embarrassed about deciding to change careers. If you're working as an independent contractor, check the terms of your employment agreement to see if it specifies who your direct supervisor is or provides other guidance about what procedures you should follow when requesting changes to your work status. Follow any guidance presented there. If no information is available, it's generally best to contact the person who assigns work to you. Based on your question, that person is probably your account manager. If you interact with multiple people who function in a supervisory capacity for your company, notify all of them.

Be sure to put your intent to resign in writing. Simply tell the truth about why you're leaving. Employers aren't shocked when employees leave to pursue different career opportunities. It's also important to offer to give a two-week notice even though you are an independent contraction. That will demonstrate professionalism on your part, and will ensure that you leave on a positive note.

Best of luck as you pursue a new career. ~~Mary

Dear Mary,

I'm 16 and schooling, at the moment. In another 2 years, I should decide on a college degree. Though my interests are in the field of medicine, I'm torn between Science and Technology (e.g.: Microbiology, Biotechnology) and Medicine (e.g.: Pediatrics, ER). I love the feeling of helping a patient and I love children - but the world today takes a turn on science technology, which I find very interesting. Could you please advice me on how I should decide on a path, which I would find economically stable and fast growing in the modern world?

~~Thanks and regards, Vohra

Expert Reply

Dear Vohra – Congratulations in being so proactive in making college and career plans. The good news is that you have some time before you have to make a final decision. If you decide to go to medical school, you'll have to complete a Bachelor's degree first. Typically, people who plan to go to medical school pursue undergraduate degrees in the field of Biology. If you want to work in Biotechnology or Microbiology, you're going to most likely need to earn a graduate degree before being able to do so. That means you don't have to make a final decision before starting college. You can study the particular area of Biology that interests you in college, which will give you quite a bit of time to decide exactly what avenue you wish to pursue before making a decision about graduate school.

You may also want to try to get one or more internship while you're in school, or do volunteer work at a hospital or lab, so you can get some first hand experience in the fields that interest you. Doing so can help you get a realistic preview of what working in each field might be like, so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.

Best of luck in your studies.

~~Mary

Dear Mary I am looking for job openings in Presque Isle,Maine-04769.How do I check on the web site for any openings at all around the area. I just moved to Presque Isle with my husband. Thank you.

Sincerely, Diana

Expert Reply

Diana - LoveToKnow Jobs is a general information jobs website. We don't advertise jobs in particular areas. The best way to start looking for job openings in your area is to check with local employment agencies, look in your local classified advertisements, and check Job Search Web Sites using a geographic search criterion.

It's also a good idea to find out who the major employers are (which you can generally find out from your local chamber of commerce), and check the websites of those organizations for job postings. If you work in a particular field, it's also a good idea to look for a local professional organization for people in your profession. You can make excellent contacts that can lead to employment opportunities by attending these types of meetings.

Best of luck on your job search.

~~Mary

Dear Mary,

I am an RN with more than 25 years of experience with an excellent employment history...until recently. I was terminated from a job that I had just started because I missed 9 weeks of work due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. I am totally devastated! Is there life after experiencing such an event? How does one get past this or handle questions related to this occurrence during interviews? Basically, I am a skilled nurse and educator and would love to teach high school. Any suggestions?

~~Deb

Expert Reply

Dear Deb,

It sounds like you have certainly had a stressful experience. The best policy for handling this situation in interviews is to be truthful. However, keep in mind that employers can't ask questions about your health, other that inquiring if there are any reasons that you can't perform the essential functions of the job you are applying for. It's up to you how much you want to share, as long as you are honest about whether or not you can handle the job. Employers may ask you to explain the gap in your employment history. It's find to explain that you were in an accident that prohibited you from working for a little while, but stress that you are completely recovered and ready to go back to work full time.

If you are still experiencing medical problems and you are not able to go back to the same type of work you did before, you may want to check with your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation services. They help people who have become unable to continue in their current field to transition to a new one. If you're interested in teaching, you should check with your state's Department of Education to find out what you need to do to earn your teaching certificate.

Best of luck returning to work.

~~Mary

Dear Mary

I am a Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist in South Carolina seeking a phlebotomy travel position. I have no idea where to begin looking. Please help!

~~Niko

Expert Reply

Dear Niko,

The best way to find out about travel jobs in your field is to register with one or moreEmployment Agencies for Medical Positions. Click this link to view the recent LoveToKnow Jobs article on this topic. You'll find several agencies you may want to apply with.

Best of luck with your career search.

~~Mary

Dear Mary –

My name is Rumyana Ivanova and I am from Bulgaria. I graduated from university in 2000 - Master of Arts in lifes cience and I have been working as a biologist in a clinical laboratory since then. I would like to know how to get a job in Kenya connected with my skills. I would like to work with animals or to help them. Please, help me to find such a job.

~~Rumyana

Expert Reply

Dear Rumyana,

Thank you for visiting LoveToKnow jobs. It certainly sounds like you have an interesting background. Our site is designed to be an informational resource for job seekers. We are not an employment agency, and do not provide job search services. For general information of finding work in Kenya, see our Jobs in Kenya article. You'll find ideas about what's involved in going to work in the country, as well as links to employers who are actively recruiting workers. You'll also want to visit the [Kenya High Commission] website, where you can learn the details about getting a work permit for employment in the country.

Best of luck with your job search.

~~Mary

Dear Mary,

Good morning. I'm an electrical technician. I have a big and nice background in oil and gas plant, energy sector with a previous experience with qatargas. I'm looking for a new position in Africa (international) or Europe. Need some help if possible. Have a nice day.

~~ Regards, Mohamed

Expert Reply

Dear Mohamed,

With your background and skills, I imagine there will be plenty of employers who are interested in you. The first thing you need to do is pinpoint a few areas in Africa or Europe where you'd like to live. You'll need to investigate the process of getting clearance to live and work in those countries. That information can help you further narrow your search to regions where you're likely to find employment and get the clearance needed to go to work in the area.

Once you've settled on a few specific areas where you'd like to live, contact employment services and search relevant Job Search Engines for openings that match your qualifications in the proper areas. If you're interested in working in the oil and gas industry again, check out the http://www.infooil.com/jobs/r1/africa.jobs.aspx Info Oil] website. You'll find information about a wide variety of international job openings in the field.

I wish you the best of luck in your job search.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary, I am in Kenya. I was employed as a Telephone operator and promoted subsequently to Telephone supervisor before doing Diploma in Business Administration which enabled me to be redesignated to Administrative assistant. It's three years since I finished A higher Diploma in Human resources management course. What career job can I be advised to pursue and which industry? And can I be helped get a suitable job? I have not been able to get one.

~~ THANKS, Joseph

Expert Reply

Dear Joseph –

The great thing about working in HR is that there are employment opportunities in every career field. Every large company has human resources employees. Even small businesses that don't have people who specialize in HR have employees who take care of the basic HR functions. Think about the types of businesses you'd like to work for and be proactive in reaching out. Contact the HR departments of various employers and ask if there are any openings. Submit your resume and application to the ones that seem interested.

Finding a job requires constant research for open positions for which you are qualified. I ran a Google search for "human resources Kenya" and found several open jobs posted on the Best Jobs Kenya website. You may also want to search and register with Casual Jobs Kenya. Job availability is going to change frequently, so you need to look for open positions quite often. You may also want to register with an employment agency based in Kenya, such as Silver Ray Limited.

Best of luck in your job search.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

My husband has studied Human Resource here in South Africa at the Unisa. I was wanting to know how we go about applying for a job in New Zealand? He has been in the industrie for 5yrs now and has really done very well in S.A. We are now wanting a change and we have decide to immagrate to New Zealand. Can you please point us in the right direction?

~~Regards, Mercades

Expert Reply

Dear Mercades,

Every country has its own, very specific, requirements for foreign nationals who wish to relocate and work there. No matter where you're thinking about moving for work, the first thing you need to do is research the country's immigration requirements directly with the government agency responsible for granting permission to work in the country. The best resource for finding out everything you need to know about relocating to New Zealand is the Immigration New Zealand website. You'll find information and details about how to proceed when you visit the site. Best of luck with your job search.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

I am an Agriculture Graduate ( 31yrs) B.Sc (Agriculture-3yrs full time course) from India. I have 11yrs of experience under various capacities in Private Agriculture sector companies in India( I am basically looking for jobs in Agriculture in Agriculturally developed countries, basically I am looking at profiles like Agronomist, Crop Production Managers, Crop Managers etc. [personal employment information deleted] Based on these inputs can you advise me as to which countries should i opt for hunting a job/ immigration, and which are the criteria to watch out for ,what are my options etc. ~~Thanks and Regards, Santhosh

Expert Reply

Dear Santhosh,

The best way to approach looking for a job in another country is to begin by narrowing down your search to a few nations that interest you. Each country has very specific requirements for entry for employment. Many countries require that individuals seeking to gain work permits or visas already have a job lined up before they will even consider approving them to work in the country. That's why you need to spend some time researching countries where you'd like to live.

When you identify a few specific places, and you learn about their immigration policies, you can start your job search. However, if you don't find out what's involved in getting permission to work internationally, you could spend a lot of time looking for a job that can't possibly pan out due to immigration issues. When you're ready to start learning more about the process of going to work in different countries, it's a good idea to check out the Job Openings articles on LoveToKnow Jobs. Best of luck in your job search.

~~ Mary

Hi Mary

I am a fresh graduate from Veterinary Medicine college. I have very good degree and am looking for international job opportunities or training. Can you help?

~~Thanks, Eiman

Expert Reply

Dear Eiman

Each region has its own specific requirements for individuals to gain employment in the veterinary medical field. My best suggestion for you is to think about a few countries where you would like to work and use that as a starting point for finding out what steps you might need to take to try to gain employment or opportunities to study in that area. It's also a good idea for you to check with your academic advisor or someone at your school who works with recent graduates seeking employment. Such individuals might know of opportunities that will work very well for you. Your school might have information about post-graduate fellowship programs in veterinary medicine in other countries, and this might actually be the best way to find international employment in your field. Best of luck in your job search.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

I am aveterinary graduate, passed from Bangladesh agriculural university, Bangladesh, Now I want a veterinary job in any country in the world . How can you help?

~~Thanks, Dr. Md. Abdus Samad

Expert Reply

Dear Dr. Samad,

It's good that you are flexible about where you want to work. However, your job search is going to be much more manageable if you pinpoint a few areas that interest you. In order to work as a veterinarian, you are going to have to become licensed in any country in which you decide to work. You should probably speak with someone at your university's veterinary schools to find out which countries have licensing requirements that most closely match the credentials you have earned. Contact licensing officials in those areas to verify exactly what you'll have to do to become eligible to practice. At that point, if you are truly interested in going to that country to work, you'll need to find out what's involved in getting a work visa (or the equivalent) and then start looking for a job. By limiting your search, at least initially, to countries where you won't have to pursue additional study to be eligible for hire, you'll have a better job of finding a job that you'll enjoy and are eligible to perform.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

I am a 43yrs old male nurse(General Nursing in Diploma)in Indian Army.I did't registered in state nursing council.After my retirement(at the age of 50yrs)can i get a job.

~~Thanks, Babusekaran

Expert Reply

Dear Babusekaran,

It's good that you're planning ahead for your post army retirment career. The best thing for you to do at this point is to contact the state nursing council with your question. They can let you know what steps you need to take now to make sure you'll have the qualifications necessary to go to work as a nurse in the area after you retire from the army. If you're planning to relocate, contact the nursing licensure agency in the place that you plan to live following your retirement from the military. Best of luck in your career.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

How do I communicate with my former employer seeking a fresh job? I had come out on voluntery retirement basis 5 years ago.

~~Raju

Expert Reply

Dear Raju,

If you left on good terms, your former employer may be very happy to hear from you. Simply contact your former company and let the hiring manager know that you are interested in returning to work. Ask about the availability of open positions that match your qualifications and submit an application. If there are no open positions, as for a reference so you may apply with other companies. You can even inquire as to whether your former employer is aware of suitable jobs in other companies if he or she is not able to use your services at this time. Best of luck in your job search.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

Is there a school just for equine vets or do you have to learn about other animals?

~~Hallie

Expert Reply

Dear Hallie,

If you decide to attend veterinary school, you'll spend time learning about general veterinary medicine. Your studies will include a wide variety of animals. You can specialize in large animal veterinary medicine, which will concentrate on horses, cows, and other larger animals. Those who prefer working with dogs, cats, etc. can choose to specialize in small animal veterinary medicine.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary,

I have rejected two good offers from reputed organisations which were upward movement for me. This is based on promise from my own organisation that they would be giving me better position and pay slightly lesser than my offers, which I agreed. This would be in May 2008 so that it wont be looked as if I held them to ransom. However now I feel that my decision was not correct and I took it with a zest to somehow grow in my organisation where I am more or less comfortable. Is there anyway I can reverse my decision in case the offers I declined are still open? Or is it unethical to ask my company to reveal all nitty grittys about what lies in store for me having principally agreed to stay back?

~~ Abbas Bookwala

Expert Reply

Dear Abbas,

It is certainly understandable to make a decision based on staying somewhere where you are comfortable. Sometimes staying put is the right choice and sometimes it is not. If you are thinking that you may not want to stay with your present employer, it's probably a good idea for you to start looking for other employment opportunities, assuming you are not contractually obligated to remain with your current company for a certain period of time.

In virtually every situation in which you reject a job offer, your decision is a final one. It is highly unlikely that an employer will offer the same job to you a second time. Of course, the only way you will know for sure is to ask. However, look at the situation from the employer's perspective. If you didn't want to work for the employer at the time the offer was extended, the employer certainly won't be likely to feel you are now committed to the job or the company. If you really want to work for one of the companies you rejected, you'll likely need to start the application process over.

~~ Mary

Dear Mary, What is the best way to address the fact that you were fired from your last position at a job interview?

~~ Dana

Expert Reply

Dear Dana,

One of the most important things to remember is that it's very important to be honest in job interviews and when filling out employment applications. Answer every question that is asked of you honestly and completely. It is not likely that you are going to be asked, point blank, "were you fired from your last job?" If you are, tell the truth, then focus on what you learned from the experience and how it has made you a better worker.

It's much more likely that you'll be asked "why did you leave your last job?" If you were asked to leave your last job, telling an interviewer that you left the position because you didn't see a future for yourself with that particular company isn't a lie. It also isn't untrue to say that you had advanced as far as possible in your former position, and so are looking for a new job with opportunities for long term success.

Whatever you do, don't badmouth your former employer, supervisor, or anyone associated with the company. This is a complete turnoff to employers. After all, if you say negative things about your former employer, prospective employers will assume that you'll do the same thing to them someday.

~~ Mary

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