My boyfriend and I each got an internship with the same company, and they offered him a job right after graduation. When I applied for a job there, I was told that I wasn't a "good fit." Although I found a job with a reputable, stable company, I'm not happy. I really enjoyed the work I did during my internship, I liked the environment and got along well - I thought - with my fellow interns (not my boyfriend; he worked in a completely different part of the building) and the regular employees. How can I discover what I need to do to be considered a "good fit" for this company ... study my boyfriend? Or should I just let it go and try find a way to be happy where I am?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

A client with the temp agency I work for asked me to come and work for her behind the agency's back, so she can avoid paying their fee, and I did. I work for her on an as-needed basis and get paid with a check at the end of each day that I work, unless she needs me to work on consecutive days, then I get paid on the last day that I work. I know this is unethical - maybe even illegal - but I need the money and the temp agency hasn't been providing me with any jobs that match my skill set. When I told my roommate about it, she said, "Give yourself a break. You can always quit once the agency finds you another assignment and vow never to do it again - and mean it. Right now, it's all about survival." Is she right? Should I follow her advice or follow my conscience?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 8:19 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

A long-time salesclerk in our department store was recently promoted to buyer, even though she doesn't have the prerequisite bachelor's degree - in any major - that management requires. Some hopefuls who got passed over feel resentful and betrayed. How can I impress upon them that

a) in this young woman's case, the experience she gained from working with the store since she was 16 trumped her lack of a degree and
b) even though she was promoted without one, part of her promotion agreement included going to college to get her bachelor's degree, which they will reimburse her for if she majors in something that's related to her career in retail?

Can these disgruntled employees sue the company for going against it's own policy?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

My friend has been trying to find a job since we graduated in May of this year, and she can't seem to understand how I was able to find a job within two weeks - I have great connections - and she hasn't been able to get past the first round interviews in almost six months of trying. I feel for her and want to tell her about a job that just came available where I work but, quite frankly, she's like Eeyore. I know this company prefers to hire people with more Tigger-like personalities. How can I make her see that she needs to be more positive? Would it help if I told her it could help her land the job that opened up where I work?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 8:02 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

One of our team members barely puts in any effort when our boss assigns us projects, but he reaps the same rewards because the boss evaluates us as a group instead of individually. One team member suggested creating a chart that could be used to record each person's contribution to the next project, then take it to our boss with any other data or summaries that we would normally turn in. Now, no one has ever actually confronted this guy about his lack of participation, but we've all complained about him behind his back. Slipping a chart to the boss seems underhanded and unfair when we've never even bothered to tell our slacking team mate how we feel. What should I do?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 7:54 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

When I told my mother that I turned down a job offer because the employer offered much less money than I had been hoping for, she told me I should have taken the job anyway, busted my butt during the thre-month trial period, then negotiated for a higher salary at the time of my review because having a low-paying job is better than no job at all. Who's right, her or me?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 7:01 AM | Leave a Comment (3)

I've been assigned the task of creating an internship program for our company, but I don't know where to begin. Since our company has never had an internship program before, I'm unsure where to go for the information I need. Can you suggest some reliable sources?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 6:58 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

What's the best way to handle an employee who asks "what's in it for me?" when invited to participate in fun, work-related tasks, like a contest to see who can come up with the best tagline for our company? The only reward is to have the winner's name appear alongside the tagline, which will be on the company's home page. In fact, any task that ventures outside his job description is met with "what's in it for me if I do this?" Is he right or are we being stingy?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 6:53 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

What's the best site for finding freelance customer service jobs?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 6:52 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

How can I make the presentation I have to give at our next meeting interesting and interactive without going too far?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 6:49 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

I've been offered a manager position at one of our company's branch locations, but I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it. How can I know if I really have what it takes to be a good manager?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 13, 2009 at 7:19 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Our company recently "merged" with one of its larger competitors. The new CEO said no changes would be made in our company's staff - meaning no one would be laid off - but gradually over the past few months, jobs have been "consolidated" and employees from our company have been demoted to support staff (if they didn't quit) for the people brought in from the larger company. Now my department is coming under fire. Should I cut my losses and start looking for another job or should I just suck it up and deal if I end up getting demoted, too?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 13, 2009 at 7:09 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Do temps have any rights when it comes to being misled or mistreated by client companies or employers?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 13, 2009 at 7:07 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Should I be wary of a temporary employment agency that doesn't test my skills before matching me with positions in my presumed skill set?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 13, 2009 at 7:05 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

How competitive can I be if I have a degree from an online university?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 13, 2009 at 7:02 AM | Leave a Comment (5)

What are some things I need to consider when negotiating a freelance contract with a client?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 8:02 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Why does my boss make a public announcement about what we, as a group, shouldn't be doing when only one or two people are breaking the rules (and we all know who they are)? Why can't she just pull those people aside?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 7:58 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I feel like what I'm doing at my internship is over my head. Is there any way for me to save my internship and still get assignments that are on my skill level?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 7:55 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I think it would be nice to start my own business, but I need to know where to begin. What should I do first?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 7:53 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

How accurate are personality tests for choosing the best career field?

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 7:52 AM | Leave a Comment (3)