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Dear J.T. & DALE: I was just given a write-up that stated that if I don’t correct things within two weeks, I could face further discipline. This isn’t something I wish to have hanging over my head. I’ve had three sales jobs in the past couple of years. My best job ended in 2008 – that one paid more than $65,000, plus car and an expense account. I keep trying to find a position that pays, and also has respect associated with it. Possible?– Wayne

J.T.: As a former HR professional, I will tell you that the written warning is most likely for your managers, to cover their bases when they fire you.

DALE: Ouch. I hope this is an exception, but even if it isn’t, you still have time to reverse the decision. Instead of being defensive and arguing with your bosses, you need to go to them and say that you want to aggressively work to improve your performance. Tell them your goal is to be their best employee, and you need their help and coaching. Try to get a list of specific goals that you can accomplish in a period of 60 or 90 days. This will buy some time, and it may give you insights into what has caused the frequent job changes.

J.T.: Meanwhile, start looking for another employer. I sense you may be having a crisis of confidence. Focusing on the jobs you used to have is not an effective strategy. If you want respect and the pay to go with it, you have to identify a specific type of sales situation where you have a history of excelling, and position yourself to employers as an expert.

DALE: We live in an age when almost anything you buy can be bought more cheaply on the Internet, without a salesperson. Still, there are plenty of salespeople operating at high levels of success. They are not individuals obsessed with jamming product through the pipeline; rather, they are trusted advisers, and most of all, they are genius problem-solvers. Stop selling and start helping; you’ll get all the respect you need.

Dear J.T. & DALE: I am a 28-year-old wife and mother. My job recently was outsourced. Now I’m on unemployment and I’ve returned to college. I’m planning to become a math teacher but want to make sure it’s a good decision. Suggestions?– Nicole

J.T.: You could seek out aptitude testing. However, you’ll still need to spend time with math teachers in order to figure out what the job is truly like. Further, it’s not always easy to get a job in teaching, even in math. You’d be wise to start talking to the school systems in your area to ensure that there is enough demand that you could get hired.

DALE: You’ll be tempted to ask people at the college you’re attending whether there is demand for math teachers. Remember, however, your school is in the business of selling education – asking them if it’s smart to get a degree is like asking your Ford dealer if buying a Ford is a good idea. Furthermore, you are wise to be considering whether teaching math will be congenial to your personality. There was a study a few years ago (out of the University of Pennsylvania) that concluded the U.S. was turning out many more math teachers each year than the number who retired. The interesting twist was that there still was a shortage. Why? Because so many math teachers were leaving for reasons other than retirement. Red flag? When you meet with teachers, you might ask them for names of colleagues who’ve left the field and see what’s up with them.

-Workplace consultant and career coach J.T. O’Donnell has coached, trained and mentored employees and managers on a wide variety of career-related subjects since 1994. Her book, “CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to A Satisfying Career” is available at JTODonnell.com.
Management guru Dale Dauten has written six books and is an authority on innovation in the workplace. His latest book, “Great Employees Only: How Gifted Bossess Hire & Dehire Their Way to Success” is available at Dauten.com. copyright 2013 King Features.