Common Career Issues - FAQs | Career Services

Common Career Issues - FAQs

I graduated a few months ago and I’ve been doing everything possible to find a job. I can’t find anything. Help!
I took some time off from working to raise my kids. Will this be looked upon poorly? How do I talk about this in an interview?
I’m older than many job candidates. Does this put me at a disadvantage in the job search?
I have some gaps in my resume for personal reasons. How do I explain these?
I’m making a career transition and applying for jobs that are different than my current field. How do I still show I have the experience needed for this job?
I got laid off from my last job. How do I handle this in an interview, and how do I not come off as desperate for another job (even though I feel that way)?!
I have a family, and really need a job with great health benefits. Can I ask about this in the interview?

I graduated a few months ago and I’ve been doing everything possible to find a job. I can’t find anything. Help!

State of California “Work Smart” - Information on gov’t jobs, job fairs, researching employers, internet resources, etc.
10 Reasons You Can’t Find a Job - article from CNN.com
Can't Find Job on Web? What You're Doing Wrong - article from abcnews.go.com
Why Can’t I Find A Job? Make Sure You’ve Done These Things

I took some time off from working to raise my kids. Will this be looked upon poorly? How do I talk about this in an interview?

How Taking Time Off To Raise Children Impacts Your Career - suggestions for woman looking to return to work after raising kids.
Women who fled the work force to raise kids are returning in droves- a cutting edge article giving many perspectives on women leaving and reentering the job market.
The Opt-Out Revolution - towards the latter part of this document (page 8 and on) there is some insightful information about women returning to work.
Flux, by Peggy Orenstein - Looking for some real life stories of how women balance work and family? Or how to make the decision to work (or not work) full time? This is an engaging read with real examples.

I’m older than many job candidates. Does this put me at a disadvantage in the job search?

Seven Mistakes Job Hunters Older Than 50 Make - article from abcnews.go.com.
Older Candidates: Don't Take a Back Seat in the Hiring Process - article from TheLadders.com.

I have some gaps in my resume for personal reasons. How do I explain these?

Be honest about the gap in a brief 1-2 sentence statement (probably in cover letter), but do not go on and on about it. Stay positive.
How to manage gap history in your CV - “If you have an extensive gap in employment, you may want to address it in your cover letter to the prospective employer. Include a brief one- or two-sentence explanation, but do not go into detail about a long illness or a frustrating job search. Rather, state that you were out of the workforce for whatever reason, and explain that you are eager to return. If the gap in your employment happened a long time ago, don't bother mentioning it at all. Employers are not interested in what happened in 1984!”
How to Deal with Gaps - article highlights how to deal with gaps in your work history. You want to be honest, but don’t dwell on the gap. State a sentence of two regarding why and then move on to how you remained connected to your field and transferable skills you have.

I’m making a career transition and applying for jobs that are different than my current field. How do I still show I have the experience needed for this job?

Focus on transferable skills (ie. Leadership, teamwork, communication, etc.)
Transferable Skills: Bringing Your Skills to a New Career l
The 10-Step Plan to Career Change

I got laid off from my last job. How do I handle this in an interview, and how do I not come off as desperate for another job (even though I feel that way)?!

I have a family, and really need a job with great health benefits. Can I ask about this in the interview?

The consensus seems to be to not ask about salary or benefits until the job is offered.
Questions to Ask Employers
Employee Benefits Questions to Ask

NOTE:The Career Services website contains links to websites not under the control of Oregon State University Career Services and we are not responsible for their contents. We'd like to hear your comments about these sites; feel free to contact us.

On the recommendation of our counseling staff, Career Services lists job and career information sites that generally meet the following criteria: are of interest to OSU students, easily navigated, and require no fee or registration prior to viewing. New sites may be submitted for consideration and are typically reviewed on an annual basis. Please indicate the page on our site where you think your link would be appropriate.