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My wife and I are looking to potentially move back home (Blo/No area). I've found a few places that look interesting, but they don't list their pay scale with the position. What is the proper etiquette for asking about the salary? I don't want to waste my time if it isn't more than what I get paid now.

If it's a job that isn't super specialized, i.e. several others hold or have that position with the company, I've found glassdoor.com to be helpful. Save for that or using your network to get an idea, I'd say that it's not uncouth to ask relatively early in the process. Certainly before you'd have to travel for any interview.

If the advertisement says salary "competitive" you can use your salary and living expenses where you are now and compare it to where you are going to move and use that adjusted salary as a rough guideline for what to expect. You can also use those data as a negotiation tool if you are able to negotiate.

Good luck!

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There are no trophies given for wins/dollar

wear a wedding dress to your interview

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Whoever doesn't have revolutionary blood, whoever has a mind that can't adapt to the idea of revolution, whoever doesn't have a heart that adapts to effort and heroism of a revolution, we don't want them. We don't need them.-Fidel Castro

As someone who used to work in Compensation, I'd recommend you just ask. It'd be pretty unprofessional for an HR Department to look down on you for asking about the comp range -- if they do, you're probably better off not working there anyway.

Glassdoor can give you a sense, but read with caution.

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During a "Not For Women Only" panel discussion, former Cubs pitcher Mike Bielecki asked several players to invent a baseball catch phrase for Viagra. Theriot's ad campaign: "Viagra -- I always play hard."

I just accepted a media position with ISU athletics. if you move back to the area and want to check out a game, shoot me a note. I can help you out!

I'll keep this in mind. Ironically, one of the positions I'm looking at is at Bradley... eeks!

Ok, next question:
I need 3 professional references, but I've worked in the same place since I graduated. I don't feel comfortable using my current boss/co-workers because we're still not certain we're doing anything. I have a former boss who I didn't get along with (for reasons aside from quality of work)... so I'm not sure what to do for references. Any tips?

Go with a peer who can speak to your work ethic, but you are going to have to find at least one supervisor. You might also go with a college professor.

You should draft a letter for each to help them. Writing reference letters is one of the most unfun things to do.

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There are no trophies given for wins/dollar

Is there a co-worker you can confide in that won't blab that you're looking, but will be a solid reference for you? Or were you close with any former co-workers who have taken jobs elsewhere that can vouch for you?

typically, if a salary isnt listed, it will likely be negotiated once you accept the position.

Yeah that's the ticket. If there's a peer who you trust that works with you on a day-to-day basis and can really give good examples of how you work, take initiative, etc., that's going to be very helpful.

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Just an average guy with exceptional hair. No more, no less.

I'm not sure if places still expect actual letters. But I've been a reference for paralegals looking for new jobs and not wanting partners to find out about the search. I've just received calls from the prospective employers. I was more of a peer than a boss, though I did assign and review work. Probably better to have at least one reference that is closer to a peer than a boss, actually.

Yeah I've done a lot of that. I start to feel bad when I've given a good reference to the same paralegal for like six jobs. Like the reference wasn't quite good enough.

I think prospective employers understand that you can't often list a current boss as a reference.

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Just an average guy with exceptional hair. No more, no less.

Ok, I've got some good references lined up. Now my next question: (sorry, I have many)...

I'm filling out an application for a job doing IT stuff at a hospital and they have a generic application that I have to fill out along with sending my resume. My problem is that I haven't really had many jobs that are applicable to this job. I've been at the same place since I graduated (and worked as a student worker for 3 years here before graduating). Do I put my 6 years of DQ experience and my 1 summer of Walmart!? What about when I was a paper boy? Do they want that crap? Am I ok to just list my current job, since it's the only "real" job I've ever had?

Depends on how long you've been out, but I generally wouldn't put anything before college graduation. If you've got some experience as an intern or something that's highly relevant and you've been out <5 years, different story maybe.

It's ok. It shows you aren't job hoping.

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There are no trophies given for wins/dollar

Don't bother with the Walmart/DQ stuff unless you did something noteworthy in those jobs or unless the application requires you to list all of your past employment. If you were just a cashier, I wouldn't bother listing it, but if you were a supervisor or manager, that would be worth mentioning.

Otherwise, just try to get your resume to a single page without much blank space. The goal is to come off like someone who's competent and able to fit into the office environment.

That was my thought. I guess I've had different job titles while being here, but I've pretty much done the same job the entire time.

Ok, got the cover letter, resume, references, etc turned in to a couple places. How long does it usually take to hear anything back? How long do you wait to send a follow-up if you haven't heard anything? It hasn't been long for me, but just preparing.

Ok, hopefully I didn't make a tactical error. It's been a week since I submitted one of my application/resume's and I haven't heard word from the place. Usually, you get a confirmation (often generic) that it has been received. So, I called the HR dept just to verify they got it. I couldn't get a good read on the lady who I talked to, but she was pretty quick with me saying they have received it and will be calling qualified applicants soon.

Most of these places are so inundated with applicants that it really could take them weeks to sift through everything and pick candidates to interview. It doesn't hurt to follow up if it's been awhile and you haven't heard anything. I wouldn't worry.

Bottom line: stop being paranoid.

Thanks! That's what I needed to hear.

Assuming I ever get an interview, how important is appearance? I know to wear a suit, shave, etc... but I am in the process of growing my hair out to donate. I'm about 1/2" shy of being able to donate, so it will be another few months. Will having long hair essentially take me out of the running? Is it something worth mentioning in an interview? Should I just cut it now and not donate it?

You should probably cut it.

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