Q. I work for a large corporation and recently, my boss, a control freak requested that we connect on LinkedIn.  I wondered if he wanted to spy on me but worried that if I didn’t accept, he would think I had something to hide so I accepted.  I am starting to look for another job in my industry and would like to connect with people in companies I am targeting.  My boss is very well known in this industry and has hundreds of connections including some who I want to connect with.  I know that my connections are notified when I connect with others and I don’t want my boss to know who I am …

Question:  I was laid off over eight months ago.  My husband and I cut back on expenses to make ends meet.  I’m afraid to spend money fearing that we will eventually become homeless.  My life revolves around job search, my kids and feeling sorry for myself.  How can I make the best of my situation? Answer: I’m sorry for your circumstances.  You are wise to cut back on your expenses but it’s also important to balance your job search with self-care and fun.  There are plenty of ways to accomplish this without spending a lot of money.  The following are… 1.  Emotional support.  Seek out …

Q.  I recently started working at a small company. It’s taking me a while to catch on to the procedures at the office and I am hard on myself when I make mistakes. My coworkers have been helpful and encouraging when I ask questions or to check my work for accuracy.  The problem is that they all share stories and opinions about the boss that are not so favorable. They also count down until the end of the day or week. I am grateful to have a job after being unemployed for almost two years.  While I want to fit in with my co-workers, I don’t want to take on their negativity. I’m also afraid that…

Question: I lost my job last year due to outsourcing and have had no luck finding something in my field. My husband and I have drastically cut back our expenses and we took our son out of day care. I offered to babysit for a friend who is a working mom and she accepted. This benefits me financially and now my son has a playmate. Should I include this “job” on my résumé? Answer:  You are not alone in your situation. The unemployment rate is back over 9 percent and many Americans are sharing the experience of being long-term unemployed.   The bad news is that many companies are deliberately not…

Question:  A friend recently asked me to be a reference on a job application. Since I only know her on a personal level, I declined. I also know that she is unhappy in her current job and has lied to her boss to cover some mistakes. This makes me wonder about her ethics and competency. Now she is cold to me but I can’t avoid her because our children play together. I also don’t want to lose her as a friend. How should I handle this? Answer: Your friend may have asked you to be a reference because her coworkers are not aware of her job search. If you feel uncomfortable about touting her work …

Question: I am returning to work after spending many years as a stay-at-home mom. How do I account for the huge gap in my work experience on my résumé? Answer: Too many moms sell themselves short by believing that they have no marketable skills simply because they did not report to a “paying job” for an extended period of time. The following is a list of skills you should include on your résumé: If you get your kids up and ready for school and activities, you have time management skills. If you know exactly where those missing items are around your home, you have organizational skills. If …

Question:  What is the best way to ease the transition back into the workforce for a parent who just experienced an extended period of unemployment? Answer: Whether your extended unemployment was due to being downsized or by choice, there is going to be a period of adjustment for you, your spouse and children. The best ways to ease the transition are by first getting in touch with your own feelings and then by communicating with your family. Your feelings will differ if you are returning to work by choice or by necessity. If your return is by choice, you may feel both excited about this new …