Desperation turns off potential employers

Dear Bruce: I’ve been looking for work all over and posting resumés. One day, I saw the job that fits me like a glove. The pay is much less, and I would have to relocate to Texas, but that’s OK with me. The job said to me “take me, take me.” I sent my résumé with a cover letter as requested and have been waiting patiently. Meanwhile, I am still applying for jobs. Finally, I called the human resources department to ask if the job is still available, and the lady said it was. I asked her if there were many applicants. She said that there were, and the search committee has to evaluate all the résumés before they can ask for interviews. She would not or could not say when or if I’d be called for an interview. My questions are, should I send a new letter explaining my situation and how much my related skills and experience could benefit this organization? How much or how often should a job-seeker keep inquiring about a job they really want without becoming a pest? I am 55, have 30 years of experience and can work long hours. You mentioned once that age discrimination really does exist in the workplace. Do you think that might prevent me from getting work? I am getting desperate and nervous. – Reader, via e-mail

Dear Reader: First, never let anyone know you’re desperate. That is the greatest turnoff that any employer can experience. As to sending another personal letter, why not? You don’t even have to refer to the fact that you’ve applied before. Just say that you’ve realized that this is an opportunity that, in your opinion, is made in heaven, and then in very succinct words explain why this is an opportunity not only for you but for them. Is age discrimination alive and well? Of course it is, for all manner of reasons, and it is covered in many ways. That is not going to change your age or the situation. Find out from human resources who it is that ultimately makes the decision, and address your letter to that individual personally. The first couple of paragraphs must capture the receiver’s attention or you may as well not bother sending it. Be brief, precise and persuasive.

Dear Bruce: In one of your recent columns regarding college costs, you mentioned that “It always amazes me that we are content to honor a system that rewards those who do not save and have a one-income family, then penalize those who work hard outside the home as well as in the home.” My wife and I raised four children and sent them all through college with absolutely no outside help. We saved for their college education. It was always our conviction that our children’s college education was our responsibility, not Bruce Williams’ or anyone else’s. Since the day they were born, we have saved for the eventuality of college. No trips to Disney World, no snowmobiles, no lavish vacations, etc. But to our chagrin, when college time came, we watched as our less frugal friends and neighbors marched up to the public trough to get all sorts of college aid for their kids. I guess we were witnessing a system that “rewards those that do not save.” This system is being perpetuated today as everybody frets about escalating college costs, but rarely does anyone mention the concept of self-sacrifice and saving for your child’s education. It’s all about schemes for getting someone else to pay. – P.B., via e-mail

Dear P.B.: You have said it all. The system does do exactly as I have described. It rewards people who are not frugal and responsible and penalizes those who are. Until such time that we as the public choose to change this, it will perpetuate itself.

Dear Bruce: Our daughter attended a private college. The tuition for her freshman year was paid in full, and she passed all of her courses. She returned for her sophomore year, but because of financial problems, she was unable to pay the tuition. We strongly advised her not to return because we did not have the resources to help her. She went against our wishes and attended classes. She tried to find a job, but there was simply not enough money coming in. She is now working and attending a local school. She needs transcripts, but the college refuses to transfer them until the tuition is paid in full. I have discussed this with my lawyer, and he feels there is a question of legality here. Is this the policy for all colleges? What can we do? - Reader, via e-mail

Dear Reader: Most schools will not give a transcript of any sort if there are any bills outstanding, even if it involves an overdue library book. This is their only leverage. While your daughter may well be honorable and will repay all her debts, most colleges have been burned so often that this seems to be a relatively common policy.

There is little you can do other than pay the bills. You can explain to her current school that the transcripts will be forthcoming. Often, the other school will be somewhat understanding because this is not an uncommon policy.

Bruce Williams is a national radio talk show host and syndicated columnist. He can be reached at bruce@brucewilliams.com.