If you have any career- or job-related questions or comments that Dr. Hansen could provide valuable assistance with, please feel free to email careerdr@quintcareers.com.

In This Issue (2/23/00):

• Relocating and writing cover letters to prospective employers
• Recovering from corporate downsizing and searching for new job
• Moving from job with subsidiary to corporate parent
• Explaining the doctorate degree process for earning Ph.D.

Q:	Sheila writes: Although I currently reside in San Francisco, I am planning on relocating to Indianapolis within the next 3 months( or so). My boyfriend suggested that I submit my resume' with a cover letter to various companies, in hopes of establishing a relationship and inquiring about employment opportunities. My problem is that, I just don't know what specifically the cover letter should say. Can you please help me?
A:	The Career Doctor responds: A cover letter is an extremely important part of your direct mail campaign. Before I get to cover letters, though, I want to make sure you have some overall strategy about relocating. You are smart to contact companies before you move, but you need a strategy in terms of the types of companies, finding the companies, and finding the right people to contact. And once you’ve sent out your cover letter and resume packages, you need to make sure you follow up and contact these people and try to get some interviews -- either by phone or as soon as you get to Indianapolis. In terms of a cover letter, here’s the short version. The cover letter is a crucial marketing document that must be directed to a named individual and create enough interest on the part of the potential employer to have him or her then look at your resume. You must create interest while also quantifying your qualifications for the position you seek. You must also demonstrate some knowledge of the company and stress what you can do for the company. Finally, you must request action -- an interview. The long version? Go visit Quintessential Careers: Cover Letter Resources, where you’ll find a cover letter tutorial, a do’s and don’ts of cover letters, and a cover letter formula, and much more. And for more help with the relocation, check out this section of Quintessential Careers: Job-Seeker Relocation Resources.
Q:	W.J.S. writes: I am a middle aged, formerly middle management, middle income man who has been downsized from a corporate position. I have been actively s eeking employment and have been trying to network, send out resumes etc. I have had my resume professionally written, have a B.S. and an excellent career history with excellent reviews. All this considered, I am working as a security guard which I took as an interim job. I can’t even seem to get an interview. Could there possibly be age discrimination? What's your opinion?
A:	The Career Doctor responds: I think the most important words I can say to you are don’t be discouraged. Maybe it’s too late for those words, but I want to hope that your problems have less to do with age discrimination -- which is certainly possible -- and more to do with three issues that you must address and spin to your advantage. The first issue is being downsized. No matter what anyone says, it hurts the ego. I should know -- I was downsized by a major corporation in the 80s. It’s a blow. And no matter how much we try to convince ourselves that we were not fired and that there is no stigma… sometimes we carry that issue with us into the job search and into the interview. Try to find a neutral party -- an associate -- and have them evaluate your approach and style. Make sure they will be totally honest with you. Make appropriate changes. The second issue is networking. Because of your level or experience and expertise, networking is a crucial task for you. Again, networking will only work for you if you have overcome the first issue. You can not appear down, discouraged, or desperate. For your network to work, you need to spin your situation as an opportunity for a new direction and new challenges. Work your network - friends, family, associates, former coworkers, etc. The third issue is your level of expertise and salary. Middle managers can be the hardest to place because the flattened business model that shows less of a need for them, thus you need to make sure your resume stress quantified accomplishments -- that you were an active participate in your past company. The salary issue may be a little harder because some companies may eliminate you from consideration based on an assumption of affordability. I would stress -- again -- the power of your network -- but also the use of a headhunter, though keep in mind that headhunters are working for the hiring companies. Best of luck to you. It is going to take some time, so try not to be impatient. Build that network and focus on the positive. See this section of Quintessential Careers for more help and resources: Job and Career Resources for Mature and Older Job-Seekers.
Q:	Michael writes: I am currently working for a subsidiary of a large corporation. I am interested in working for the parent corporation and would like to seek out a job position there. Yes, I know---technically, I am working for the parent company but would like to work for them directly (for career advancement). What is the best way to approach this situation while "keeping it under the hat" for the time being with the subsidiary company? Are there ethical issues involved here? Would it be more like applying for a transfer or do I apply with a resume and cover l etter like I would any new job? How would I word my situation in a cover letter? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
A:	The Career Doctor responds: Michael, most companies with various divisions and subsidiaries have very specific guidelines in terms of the process one goes about for applying for a job within the corporate umbrella. In some cases, the policy treats the process as a simple job transfer, but in others, the policy treats the process as a full-scale job search. At one corporation I deal with, the policy is that you have to inform your current manager that you are interested in an internal position (transfer). He or she then has the power to approve or disapprove the interview and possible transfer. You are in a very touchy situation, and I strongly encourage you to speak to a human resource person at the parent company -- and get, in general terms, the process that your company wants its employees to follow. Failure to follow this policy could be disastrous for you.
Q:	Anonymous writes: How did you became doctor, and what did you have to do to become a doctor?
A:	The Career Doctor responds: Well, of course, the Career Doctor title is a play on words in a sense -- I am a career expert with a Ph.D. -- a doctorate degree, thus the Career Doctor. I take the title and this job, however, very seriously. I get a real sense of accomplishment helping people -- whether it is through this column, through my career site, Quintessential Careers, or through teaching at Stetson University. Earning a Ph.D. is no easy task, but - for me especially -- a very rewarding one. I have a dual bachelors degree from Syracuse University. A masters degree from the University of Florida. A Ph.D. from Florida State. You don’t necessarily need a masters degree to get a Ph.D. -- though you do need to complete the masters level course work -- and most people, I believe, do complete a masters degree before attaining the doctorate degree. The Ph.D. requires more coursework, comprehensive exams, and the completion of a dissertation -- a detailed study of a particular issue related to your field of study. If you have an interest in learning more about the process I took -- and I’m not sure why most people would be -- you can read my academic vita. You can learn more about various degrees by going to this section of Quintessential Careers: Degrees and Certifications Explained.