Washingtonpost.com: Live Online

Kenneth writes about workplace trends and controversies in his weekly column, and then comes online to engage the audience with questions and new ideas. He has reported for The Washington Post for more than 30 years on real estate, politics and the metro area. He now turns his attention to issues "On the Job."

The transcript follows below.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Arlington, Va.: I interviewed for a great job last week and already recieved a call back interview. I really want this job, but I have one concern. I am taking the Florida Bar exam at the end of February. I am already licensed in Virginia, but I want to be able to move to Florida sometime in the distant future. (Not for at least four or five years.) I am slightly afraid to mention the exam because I don't want the interviewers to think that I am planning on a leaving the area soon. But I am going to need at least a few days off to take the exam and if I am hired, I will not have accumulated any vacation time yet. Should I mention this in the follow up interview? I don't think they would see any bonus to be being licensed in an extra state as it isn't a law firm. This seems like a great job and I don't want to screw things up.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Good morning all.
Maybe I'm naive on this one, but I don't see a real big problem. Tell them at a point in the final stages of the hiring that you're already scheduled to do this, and will need a few days off around it to take the test, no doubt without pay unless you can work some extra time in to account for the days off. You might well get asked why you are taking this particular exam so you'll want to have some reasonable explanation, hopefully something other than moving there in the next year.

Rockville: I applied for a job with a local DC firm through Washingtonjobs.com a few week's ago. On Monday, I got a "congratulatory" e-mail that I made the first round cut. The employer asked me to go on to their (nonsecure) website and take an employment "survey" if I was still interested in their opening. The survey (which I did not submit) asked a number of personal questions which, quite honestly, I felt should have been answered in a live conversation with the employer, not in an inpersonal "database" format.

I hope this is not an industry trend. I am truly apalled.

Kenneth Bredemeier: I don't know whether it is or not, but gives me the opportunity to reiterate some advice I had in answer to a question in the print version of this column a couple Sundays ago, since variations on this question come up regularly. Basically, employers' questions are within bounds IF they relate to the job in question. But that might well vary from job to job. So, a question about someone's height and weight would be irrelevant in almost situations except perhaps, say, applying for police work, where some departments still have minimum and maximum standards. And a question about whether you are pregnant would be illegal, but an employer could no doubt ask whether you have any personal or family obligations that would keep you from working in the next year.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Periodically, readers want to know where to check the availability of federal government jobs. Here's the site: www.usajobs.opm.gov. Individual agencies also maintain their lists. But the Office of Personnel Management site typically has 17,000 listings and OPM says it is redesigning the site to make it easier to navigate.

Re: Florida: Tell them you want to be able to practice law down in Florida part time after you retire. That should hopefully take care of their concerns. Sounds reasonable and is probably even true.

Kenneth Bredemeier: One tack, although if you are a newly minted lawyer that rationale might seem to be so far off in the future as to seem a bit far-fetched.

Washington, DC: I am a 27 year old real estate analyst looking to advance my career. I have been offered, if I want, to move into a brokerage position with my current firm (commercial rather than residential). While the upside is unlimited income potential, the downside is that of working in a commissioned position. I enjoy the safety of my current salaried position, but am looking to make more money and have more resposibilities.

What are your thoughts on brokerage, as well as, your thoughts on staying in a salaried, analytical position?

Kenneth Bredemeier: Work life always has its chances for advancement, but with risks. And you've got one here. You're certainly young enough to take some risks, and be confident enough in your own skills and initiative to make it work. But you also ought to think of the actual work you'd be doing. Think you'll enjoy it? Taking a job only for the money usually does not work in the long run if you dread what you actually do.

Somewhere: I'm about to start a job, a great opportunity, that because of the organization's political convictions could jeopardize things in the future for me(anything from landlord x not agreeing with what I do to, to rubbing future HR people the wrong way). I believe it's worth it; I'm fighting for the greater good. Do you think it's worth it? Isn't a great response to my own dilemma of future people glancing at what I do-- "who'd want to be part of a club that wouldn't have me as a member"? You get one life. Thanks.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Doing what you believe in, and getting paid to do it, always seems like a winner to me.

Rockville, Md: Wondering if I could solicit your thoughts on this. Last week I interviewed for a great job. HR called to say that the only step remaining was the reference check and that things looked very promising. Then on Friday, HR called to say that they had decided to hire from within.

So, in thinking about the interview and the people; everything went great. I concluded that it must have been the reference check.

A friend of mine called my references (pretending to be from another company). He said they were glowing. Then he called the HR depts of the companies I had worked at.
Out of the three companies, he encountered a problem with one.

The story behind the one is that their HR dept consists of one person - the HR manager. And she just happens to be the one person who had a problem with me (and others in our group). The problem was not performance based, rather it was based on her aggressive desire to move forward in the organization; and she would step on anyone to get where she wanted. Very ambitious she is and apparently she wound up being the HR Manager.

Anyway, here is what she said: "Between you and me, he created quite a mess here and I would reconsider his application".

The statement is not true, but the damage is done. However, I'm not sure how I will deal with this in the future.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Interesting that you at least have a clue what might have gone wrong. Although I don't think you can say with absolute certainty that your prospective employer called that HR person. You can create your own referral call list to some degree by listing people you've contacted ahead of time and trust to speak well of you. You can't stop a really thorough check that might include this woman again. So, did you create some kind of a mess when you look back on it dispassionately? One thing you might do is to call this woman and see if you can negotiate her saying in the future just the basics, your dates of employment, job title and salary if they routinely give that out, saying that you know you left under a cloud (if that is the case) but want to move on and start anew and hope her sense of fair play will kick in. But mostly, recall others from that job who thought highly of you.

re: Bar exam: Do you need to tell them why you need the time off? Just say that you have something previously scheduled on those days and would not be able to be in the office. I've done this numerous times and had no problems.

good luck!

Kenneth Bredemeier: Yes, I think this could well work. Seems reasonable. Previously scheduled business you have to take care of those days.

Silver Spring: I'm job-hunting because I do nothing all day long at my current job. Formerly, there was work, but no quality control and what we produced was garbage. When I tried to suggest improvements my boss promptly ignored me because she had terrible deadlines and had to get something out--quality was not an issue.

My question is, how do I handle interview questions about past experiences? I've been at this job for a year. Prior to that I was unemployed for about 8 months. Prior to that I parted ways with a company that I do not list on my resume (was only there a few months anyway). Prior to that I was freelancing after having gained my Master's degree in my field. Not a pretty history, is it? Thanks for any insights!

Kenneth Bredemeier: You're no doubt grasping for what to tell yet another employer why you are leaving. Personal challenges always acceptable. The last job just did not measure up. And variations thereof. And more importantly that you think that the job they are offering would fit your needs and that you could contribute substantially and then tell them how you would do that.

Hunt Valley, Md.: My employer is requiring all traveling staff members to increase their own personal auto insurance liability limits to $300K. Apparantely, the word the employees are hearing is that the Company's insurance carrier is either dropping any and all liability coverage below the $300K limit or the preminums have increased too high for the company to fund. The company is stating that the company's insurance carrier will cover any liability claims that exceed the $300K limit. The problem is that the firm is not covering the increased cost for each employee to have their personal liability rates increased. Can my employer legally require their employees to do this ?

Kenneth Bredemeier: In litigious socirty, everybody always wonders whether something is legal. I am not a lawyer, but can't fathom that any law would address this specific question. That said, there's a general premise that often applies in this kind of benefit change that's going to cost you more. Companies often change this sort of benefit, such as, say, raising the amount you have to pay for prescription drugs through your health care plan. If it's done prospectively, and it's uniformly administered affecting all employees, then it's probably OK. They can't change something retroactively. I doubt, even though you understandably don't like to shell out more, that the amount in question is enough to make you quit, but that's why they call it at-will employment. You can walk if you truly find it objectionable.

Washington D.C.: I have been making so little salary the last few years(nonprofit)but have decided to remain unbothered by it, and instead on gaining experience/opportunities. With no family to consider, etc., as a young person aren't you better off in the long run dismissing salary and focusing on experience?

Kenneth Bredemeier: A bit of both. Experience is great, but no one likes to live hand to mouth either.

New York NY: Hi Kenneth --

I wrote to you a few months ago about my mom, who used to work in associations but has had trouble keeping jobs. She is currently unemployed (going on 9 months) and has had quite a hard time finding a new job in any field. I'd like to offer some kind of help, but I'm not sure I can do anything to "undo" the damage it seems she's done to her career (she's mentioned several clashes she's had with former employers -- just one would be worrisome enough but in this case it seems to be a pattern of self-destructive behavior). Are there any resources in the DC area that I can refer her to for help? She is over 55 and if there are any support groups that you know of that might be helpful, I'd appreciate any contact info you have.

Many thanks!

Kenneth Bredemeier: Have you tried AARP for their support/advice/counseling groups? There also are various support groups for older workers. And in consulting with these, I'd guess she ought to figure out why her past jobs ended so badly, which you have clearly recognized as a pattern and not some isolated spat with one boss.

Washington D.C.: Hi Ken. I've been in a new job for about 2.5 months (coming out of a 6 month layoff).

My immediate supervisor does not respond to emails, voice mails (examples: updates, questions, etc). I know that management is busy, however, I am not use to not getting any response.

I have to even go to this person (when I can catch them) in person to follow-up on what may have been emailed, etc.

My work style is such that (in any positions) I keep my supervisors informed and well in advanced if something is coming down the pipe. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Well, they might well trust you to make various decisions. But rather than just continuing to ask about this matter or that, ask about the broad issue of how they want you to proceed, possibly getting feedback from someone else, possibly just to make the little decisions on your own because they expect you to. But you are right to keep them posted, called the doctrine of no surprises.

Re: Bad HR reference: I thought most companies had adopted the dates of employment model of confirmation to avoid precisely what happened to the gentlemen in Rockville. If Rockville can prove that this woman in HR did this, I think he has a pretty nice lawsuit on his hands if he is inclined. Because of the legal issues involved HR is generally not given responsibility for commenting on performance. A reference has complete discretion, but HR represents the company and as a rule avoids personnel evaluations like the plague. I hope this woman wakes up and realizes that her opinions (regardless of whether she's accurate or not) violate the law and put her organization at risk.

Kenneth Bredemeier: Because of untoward comments, that is why lots of companies' referrals are bland in the extreme. I don't know that she violated the law in giving an opinion. Maybe she was dead-on in her statements. But you are right that many companies, thanks to their own legal advice, have decided they are not willing to risk a court fight to prove their point.

Bowie, Md.: Good morning. As many of us are suffering the effects of state budget cuts, do you have any advice for state employees who would like to pursue conversations on salary increases (in the near future/once the crisis is eased) without jeopardizing their current position? Are the only two options grinning and bearing it or looking for another job? The entire market stinks so the latter may be an exercise in futility.......Thanks

Kenneth Bredemeier: I don't think that asking for a raise at the appropriate time, and with appropriate reasons on what you've accomplished would ever jeopardize your job. You might get the raise, but that's about all.

Kenneth Bredemeier: I of course meant to say might not get the raise.

Bethesda: Need help ASAP!

I work for the gov't. Although my last boss and I were on good terms, she wrote a mixed review of my performance before she moved onto another job. I was (and am) job-hunting, too, and when I asked her if she'd be a reference, she happily agreed.

I'm about to have lunch with her--should I mention it? Ask her if she's still available as a reference? Or just take my chances. (what she wrote was that I'm too serious about my work and somtimes need to be reminded of the big picture).

Kenneth Bredemeier: Yes, I would, to have a pretty good idea what she'd say. And hopefully it would be favorable. I know from experience that experienced interviewers from prospective companies will ask whether there's any reason why you wouldn't/shouldn't hire someone, or about any negative traits they can think of.

Londonderry, NH: As a security Guard at a College, should you be forced to look for a bomb during a bomb threat ? We have no training. I don't really know what I am looking for. And for the money I'm paid, I feel I am risking my life. Is this right ?

Kenneth Bredemeier: I could well see this as a job for a security guard, but only with the proper training. Ask for it. And shouldn't law enforcement officials be involved, too?
That's it for today, folks. Thanks for reading and asking. Please remember that I keep some questions for answering in the Sunday column, and that you can reach me with more questions for the newspaper column at bredemeier@washpost.com. Seeya back her next Wednesday.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay Tuned to Live Online:
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Pop Talk: David Segal, Noon ET
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