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In normal situations, a step backward could easily be perceived by prospective employers as being a major red flag. Many might see your situation and assume you are either lacking the skills or the drive to be successful.

However, you can totally spin your situation into a win-win. Here’s what you have going for you: First, you highlight your time management skills by showcasing how you managed to work full-time and attend college. Second, you can showcase your loyalty to the company by voluntarily stepping down from the manager position for their best interest – since you knew you could not do the job justice and attend college. Third, you can discuss how retail was simply a tool to help pay for college (while also gaining valuable experience) and that what you are studying in college is preparing you for your future career.

Just don’t go negative. Don’t trash retail or the company. Instead, talk about some of your key accomplishments, as well as the transferable skills you have developed while working there. Show how the combination of your experience and education make you the ideal candidate for the position.

When employers ask behavioral interview questions - questions that ask you about specific situations you have faced in the past (“tell me about a time when…”) – what they are seeking is not some rambling story with much too much detail, but rather a clear description of the situation, the actions you took, and the lessons you learned from the experience.

The STAR method stands for Situation or Task - Action you took - Results you achieved. It serves as an outline for how you should formulate your response.

From my experience, more employers seem to be moving to behavioral interviewing for at least one of the rounds of interviewing… so it makes sense for most job-seekers to review common behavioral interview questions and prepare narratives for each one.

Remember not to memorize your responses. You want to have the pieces of the story in your head, ready to call forward when you need it, but it should not sound rehearsed or robotic.

Some sample behavioral interview questions:

• Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
• Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

First, you need to examine more closely your relationship with this hiring manager. How did you leave it when you were rejected from the last position? Did you sense rapport with the manager when you interviewed? Did you send a thank-you note after your interview? Did you follow-up the rejection letter with any kind of communication?

Second, is this new position closer to your level, or are you again going to be seen as over-qualified? Do your research so you know where you stand. It seems to me, you will be wasting your time and the employer’s time if the position is still too far below you.

Third, what is your fascination with this company? Is it one of the few employers in your town – or does it have some unique aspects that make it a coveted place to work?

So, take some time answering my questions and really evaluating the position – and why you are interested in applying for it.

If you are a good fit for this new position, if you really want to work for this company, and if you had/have a good relationship with this hiring manager, then of course it makes sense to apply for it.

I looked into your web page but you have nothing for salary requirements. If you could find a few minutes to help me with this question. What should he do?

Besides job want ads, job-seekers should be utilizing your network of contacts – friends, family, co-workers, business associates, etc. – to learn of new opportunities. If you are searching for jobs in a specific area, you should also research and target a specific group of employers – whether they have any jobs openings posted or not. And if you’re a college alum, consider contacting the career services office and the alumni office to seek help on job leads.

Once you have a larger set of job leads, the next step is to make sure you have a specific and tailored resume and cover letter going to each prospective employer. Use some of the words they use in describing themselves and the jobs… highlight the most important skills that each employer seeks. And be certain to show how you are the perfect candidate for each position.

And for those job leads that request a salary requirement, do your homework. If possible find an insider in your network who works at the company. With salary requirements, employers want the inside track on what you feel you are worth – sometimes giving you the under- or overqualified labels if your salary is too far below or above the salary range.

Finally, please do not put salary requirements on your resume, but do address them in your cover letter. Ignoring such a request will your application at risk (and possibly eliminate you from consideration).

I think your husband should read this article published on Quintessential Careers: 10 Reality Checks of Job-Hunting: Overcoming Common Job-Search Mistakes.

And to specifically address your question, please read this article: Responding to Requests for Salary Requirements or Salary Histories: Strategies and Suggestions.

Dr. Randall S. Hansen is currently Webmaster of Quintessential Careers.

Dr. Hansen is an associate professor of marketing at the School of Business Administration, Stetson University. He has been a published career expert for the last 10 years and an employer and consultant with hiring/firing decisions for the past 15 years.

Through his experience as a professor of marketing, Dr. Hansen uses proven marketing techniques and applies them to job-hunting. He is currently working on such a book. Some of his work can be seen at his personal Web site.

He and Katharine Hansen co-wrote the very successful job-hunting book, Dynamic Cover Letters, published by Ten Speed Press. You can order copies from Barnes and Noble of this cover letter bible. He is also author of several career-related magazine and journal articles.

Finally, Dr. Hansen has been an employer and has firsthand experience in the hiring process. He also stays active in the field by reading magazine and journal articles and by talking with employers on a regular basis.