Q–I’m 45 and have been out of work for a year. I’ve read a zillion books on cover letters and resumes and have changed them many times, but nothing seems to help. The problem is that since the ’70s, I’ve worked no more than three years at any job, so I look like a job hopper. On interviews I’ve had to defend myself, which seems to be a turnoff to interviewers. Half of my job changes have been due to downsizing, so what can I do?
A–It’s great that you looked into the proper formats for resumes, but some people need further guidance on interviewing. Meet with a career counselor (local colleges usually offer these services for nominal charges) about how to answer questions on your one- to three-year work record at each job, since 50 percent of the jobs you left were not due to company cutbacks.
Q–Six years ago our son had a mental breakdown. The doctors gave him medication that worsened his condition, and he was sent to a mental institution. No one believed him when he kept saying that the drugs made him sicker but, on his own, he discovered that through controlling his diet he felt better. He now takes no medication and is fine. When he was in the hospital, he received money through Social Security insurance. He wants to put his life back together and get a job. He could say he has been self-employed during those years, but that doesn’t get rid of the Social Security records. How can he overcome this paper trail?
A–Even in this information age, only publically reported information, such as bankruptcies and police records, are pulled up with a background search. Chicago attorney Robert G. White, former assistant regional counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security division, says that “while nothing is absolute–people can access information through illegal means–there are substantial procedures in place to protect a person’s medical records from disclosure by the Social Security Administration. Also, the SSA purges its working files of medical evidence, including medical records, after it makes a final disability determination. The files are then warehoused, making access difficult, even for the SSA.”
Q–I have worked as a doorman for nearly 10 years at a luxury highrise in Chicago. I am a model employee–always helpful, informative and respectful, always on time and rarely take sick days. Our current boss (she has several personalities) accused me of theft and has threatened many others who were fired and never given a chance to speak out. I am a peace-loving, God-loving man and I don’t want to continue working in a hostile environment. I’ve lost my zest for being a model worker and feel I must move on to find a better boss. What else can I do?
A–I assume your boss has a charming personality for residents and a tyrannical personality for her staff. You should not have to throw away your years of employment just because she has gotten away with harassing other staff members. If you have developed some long-term relationships with tenants, ask them for letters of recommendation. Send copies of their letters along with a letter to her boss (either the management company or the condominium association’s board of directors) stating how she has openly accused you of theft of which you are not guilty.
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Problems on the job? Write to Lindsey Novak, At Work, Financial Department, 4th Floor, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611, or, via e-mail: AtWorkbyLN@aol.com. No phone calls, please.
