Readers: Dr. Randall Hansen, a nationally recognized career expert, is the Career Doctor.
Discover more about Dr. Hansen, read about the purpose of this column,
and find previous issues of this column at the home of The Career Doctor.
Dr. Hansen writes this column on a biweekly basis. If you have any college, career, or job-related questions or comments that Dr. Hansen could
provide valuable assistance with, please
feel free to email him at: careerdr@quintcareers.com.
Ashlee writes:
I need your help. I just got a job offer that I have been waiting for, but in the
paperwork they sent me, they included a non-compete clause for me to sign.
This was never discussed during the interviews. What is it, why did they
include it, and must I sign it?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
For certain highly competitive industries, I can understand why employers want new
hires to sign non-compete clauses, but I am not a big fan of them. They are basically
designed to limit your ability to change employers and work for a competitor -- or to
become a freelancer and compete directly with your former employer.
The limits of a non-compete clause can be broad or specific -- they can either be
geographic-specific or a detailed list of competitors that are off-limits. There is also
usually a timeframe to non-compete clauses.
The key for you – and any job-seeker in your situation -- when asked to sign a legal
document you should immediately contact a labor attorney to get legal advice on the
limitations of the agreement, as well as possible counteroffer suggestions. You might
be able to negotiate terms such as the list or type of competitors, the breadth of the
geographic scope, and the length of time the agreement lasts.
Remember, like all parts of the job offer, parts of the agreement may be negotiable --
and if they are not, then you still might be able to negotiate a better offer for agreeing
to sign the clause.
Finally, from my understanding, different courts in different states look at these
agreements differently -- with the key aspect a striving for balance between the need to
protect an employer with the rights of job-seekers to find gainful employment.
It has been recommended I write a proposal to create a new position for myself to move into.
I am having a difficulty finding a template as to how to create such a document. Can you
make any suggestions.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
If I am reading between the lines correctly, I am guessing that someone within your
organization has suggested that you create this proposal, but even if I am mistaken,
the advice I am suggesting will be useful.
One caveat: If you have not been encouraged to create such a proposal from
someone higher in the organization, tread lightly, because management could
view such a proposal as you being unhappy with your current job.
There are several keys to success here.
First, you need to conduct research. Try and determine if other similar organizations
have the type of position you are proposing. If so, gather as much data as possible
to build your case. And even if your search is fruitless, by conducting the research,
you are building your network -- and perhaps other more interesting opportunities
may arise from it.
Second, you need to do a detailed (as possible) cost/benefit analysis. You have to
show for the added costs of the position (including salary, benefits, etc.) that there i
s also an added benefit -- such as increased efficiencies, reduced costs, more revenue, etc.
The more numbers you have to support your proposal, the better.
Third, you really need a champion of the new position in upper management.
Someone who is going to sing your praises and push for the new position. This person
could be your mentor -- or anyone else in your internal network.
How likely it is to be approved depends on the strength of your proposal and
how flexible the organization is to new ideas.
Q:
Mary writes:
Hi, wondering if you can help with some advice. I am a 38 year old, managing a
mechanical business. In 2005 I completed a degree in business management
and cannot believe the value received from it. I have gotten a lot from the
experience -- and I want more of it. My goal is to fully understand businesses
of all shapes and sizes. How beneficial would earning an MBA be to achieve
my goals?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
There was an article published in Business Week a few months ago
titled, “Is the MBA Overrated?” One of the points the article makes is that from
their research, the MBA degree is not a requirement to reach the upper levels
of management in U.S. corporations. However, top executives who did have an
MBA earned almost 20% more than their counterparts without such a degree.
But I also think the logic of the article is flawed because while the MBA degree
has been around for a long time, it’s popularity and importance really reached a
higher level starting in the 1980s -- meaning that many of today’s top executives
are from an era when the MBA was not as popular as it is today. I think if we
were to do a similar study of mid-level managers instead of senior management,
we would see a much different picture, with the majority holding an MBA degree.
That said, of course I am in favor of everyone continuing with their education. Life
should be an on-going learning experience, and to not only move ahead in business,
but to learn more about business, you should consider obtaining an MBA.
What is an MBA? It's a Master of Business Administration degree, granted after
one to two years of graduate-level university study that provides training in the theory
and practice of business management. The MBA is basically a document that
certifies that you have a general competency in all the major functional management
roles you'll find in the modern corporation.
Jamie writes:
I am in my second semester (freshman year) of college. It’s hard for me because
I am working two jobs and I am taking care of my deceased nephews two little
boys and I am living on my own and I am doing this ALL BY MYSELF. Both of
the boys have health problems and I can barely afford childcare, I am behind in
my classes, and I really want to do well so I can graduate on time. How can I stay
focused in school when I have so much going on in my life?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
The first year of college is hard enough that I cannot imagine how you also
work two jobs and take care of your nephews. I give you a lot of credit, and as
much as I can do it via words, I want to encourage you to keep moving forward
with your college education. Your college degree will pave the way for a career
and better-paying jobs over your lifetime.
First, I would seek out family members who can help you share the burden of not
only caring for your nephews, but the cost of caring for them as well. Surely, you
must have some other family somewhere nearby.
Second, I would investigate what governmental and social service organization
programs are available to assist you. I am confident you can find one or more
programs that can aid you in the care of your nephews.
Third, I would explore employment options on campus, such as the work-study
program, so that at least one of your jobs would be located on campus. These jobs
often have very flexible hours, and sometimes you can even work in the academic
department of your major or minor studies.
Fourth, I would talk with all my professors and explain my situation. Don’t ask for
special privileges, but inform them of the challenges you are facing. If nothing else,
your professors should be sympathetic to your situation, and, who knows, they
may know of some resources that can help ease your burden.
Please get the help you need so that you can not only stay in school, but excel in it.
College should be a wonderful time of learning and discovering more about yourself --
not just another burden in your life. Good luck!!
