QUESTION: Dear Amy – Do you have any tips on negotiating salary? From: Joe W.

ANSWER: Last Sunday's New York Times had a fascinating article about salary, Not So Personal Finance. The author, Alex Williams, considered a recent trend among young professionals of comfortably and openly disclosing and discussing their salaries—an absolute taboo for most people over age 35.

I couldn't help but wonder if this new trend—probing one another's most well-preserved secrets—is really taking hold throughout the country? Are young adults in Maine openly discussing their salaries like the New Yorkers profiled in the article?

QUESTION: Dear Amy - I want to make a career change but I am really intimidated by the prospect of interviewing. What advice do you have? From: Cindy N.

ANSWER: Cindy, you are not alone. Many of my clients want to make a career change but feel anxiety about interviewing. And it's no wonder: you're expected to 1) deliver the sum of your professional and life experience in succinct, relevant anecdotes, 2) explain why you're qualified to do a job you may have never done before and 3) act calm, cool, and collected while doing it.

QUESTION: I have been looking for work since the first of February. I have a graduate degree and 10 years of work experience. Although I’ve sent 3-5 cover letters and resumes out per day over the last three weeks, I haven’t had any responses. I followed your tips. I am not sure what else to do. Do you have any advice for me? Sincerely, Molly

ANSWER: Molly, thanks for writing. You sound like an accomplished professional who would make a desirable job candidate for any employer. But I'm not surprised that you haven't heard back yet. Finding a job is hard work—you know that already—and it often takes longer than we would like.

Here are some tips that anyone searching for a job should consider: