Preparing Oneself in a Tight Market for the Future by Lindsey Novak on Creators.com

Recently

Admirable Effort to Support Neighborhood Business Q: I am a small business owner who depends on and am grateful for every customer I have. A small cupcake shop opened down the street, and I like to support local businesses, so on my way to get coffee, I thought I would stop in and buy a couple of …Read more. Defending Oneself Is Always Worth the Effort Q: A former supervisor falsely accused me of things in order to fire me, so I resigned before she had the chance. She had no proof of any of the accusations, and she did not report anything to the authorities. That was five years ago, and I have had …Read more. Dressing Appropriately Shows More Than Style Q: I started a new job after being unemployed for some time. While I was unemployed, I gained weight and can no longer fit in my work clothes. I can't afford to buy new things right now. I need to catch up on my bills. I did buy new jeans and a pair …Read more. Partner Moves Funds Into Own Account, Leaving Other Partner With Bills Q: I am going through the biggest fight in my life right now. My husband moved our personal and business money into offshore accounts in his own name before I realized he was having an affair and I filed for divorce. He is colluding with a banker …Read more.

Preparing Oneself in a Tight Market for the Future

Q: I keep reading that this is the time to go back to school because of our tight economic situation. An article stated that even if a person doesn't know what to do, it's a good time to go to school. What do you think of that advice?

A: I disagree with that advice. Yes, education is a good thing, but whatever loans you receive — subsidized or private — you must pay them back. When there's a tight economy, that's hardly the time to choose a field randomly, borrow money to study that field, and hope (and I emphasize hope) it will be something that will interest you. If you always have wanted to pursue a field and are now unemployed, then go after that education.

Choosing a field strictly based on the money you think you will make at a later date is foolish, and here's why: Fields go in and out of popularity based on supply and demand; the people with passion and talent for specific fields always will be at the top, and the people who studied those fields out of having nothing else to do always will have a tough time finding jobs in those fields.

Instead of random selection, spend the money on assessment testing. The costs range from free brief assessments to nominal fees at community colleges to high fees at private assessment firms, but it is all worth it because most vocational assessment testing is on target for zeroing in on your abilities combined with interests. Those assessments will lead you to study the fields you will love and excel in, and that should be your goal. Once you experience passion working at a job, you never will go back to a job that turns your daily routine into a negative, which leads to stress and ill health.

Employee Places Ethics Above Self-Interest: Doing What Is Right Comes First

Q: I work for someone who set up a business but never filed the paperwork for taxes.

This business owner is selling product, setting up credit accounts and charging sales tax but not paying it to the government. I know this because of a comment he made to me. I am ethical, apparently far more ethical than he is, and I would like to report him. I rather would do the right thing than have a job and work for someone who's dishonest.

A: You are spectacular! It's wonderful to hear from someone who places ethical behavior first despite the tough economy. Our society needs more people like you to turn around the anti-American opinion that our country is based solely on greed. Call or write your state's labor department, and only state the information that was told to you. It is then up to the state's investigator to confirm the information and file whatever charges are allowed or impose the appropriate fines.

When you look for another job, ask deep questions if you are interviewing with a newly established business or an entrepreneur. Sometimes a character trait of an entrepreneur is to "shoot from the hip" in the setting up of a business. Such a person might use that excitement as an excuse for not filing the proper paperwork. Thankfully, you recognize that over-excitement is not an excuse for illegal and unprofessional behavior.

Please send your questions to: Lindsey Novak, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. E-mail her at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com, or visit her Web site at www.LindseyNovak.com. She answers all e-mails. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.