Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole On Monday November 30th

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about how to change jobs after a long employment period, how to explain absences from the job market and how to make a clean, attractive resume. She also answered questions about how to change jobs to an entirely new industry, all this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/11/monday_job_doc_chat_with_patti_2.html

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole on Monday November 2

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about applying for multiple positions at the same company, how to deal with sick coworkers and how to make a sample works portfolio. She also confronted the issue of asking for a salary increase, as well as what do when applying for a job while pregnant. All this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/10/monday_job_doc_chat_with_patti.html

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Job Doc Chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole on Monday, August 31

This week on the Job Doc Chat, Pattie answered questions about an employer's responsiveness to job applications and how to deal with annoying coworkers. She also tackled the tough question of how to ask for a raise, see all this and more here: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2015/08/job_doc_chat_with_pattie_hunt_16.html

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section. 

Burning bridges (or not)

Q: I applied for the perfect job. I was interviewed three times by the company. The recruiter told me I was a finalist and the hiring team was very interested. I just found out (from an email!) that I did not get the job. I have no idea why I wasn't offered the job and now I am spitting mad. I wasted all that time and used personal days to interview on at least two days. I want to write the recruiter a nasty note. Any advice?

A: Yes, I have advice! Put down your pen and hold off on writing the nasty note. A nasty note does nothing except if your goal is to burn bridges, which is a giant mistake in the job hunting world.
First, take some time to cool down. Inserting negative energy into the job hunt is never a good tactic. After you have cooled down, place a call to the recruiter. As difficult as it may be, thank them for their time and effort on your behalf. Explain that you are looking for feedback so you can learn from this experience. Listen to the feedback. You don't have to agree with the feedback shared, but you should listen. Ask the recruiter to keep you in mind for other opportunities. Do your best to be gracious.

In several instances, when I have conducted a search, I have re-established contact with a runner-up. If you were interviewed three times, you were a strong candidate. Often the employer has several strong candidates and they can only select one. Stay close to this recruiter and this company.
Also remember that this process was not "wasted" time. You developed new contacts and refined your interviewing skills. Yes, you had to use some personal days but this is often the case. A job offer is not guaranteed simply because you have been interviewed several times.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Recruiter verifying your salary - a new MA law (or not)?

A job seeker says recruiters are advising them of a new law... true or not?

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2012/05/asking_about_a_candidates_sala.html