Q：I've been out of the (paid) workforce1 for a few years, for medical reasons, although I did some volunteer work in my community during that time. I also started a small business based on a hobby of mine. Now I'm ready to go back to work full time, and I've got appointments for two job interviews. What should I say when asked what I've been doing since my last "real job"?

A：An interviewer who asks you what you've been doing lately is really asking, "What skills have you acquired recently that we might be able to use here?" In other words, where you were is less important than what you learned. Your volunteer work probably gave you some experience and insights that you didn't have before, and starting a business (even a small home-based one) is nothing if not educational. So sit down and analyze2 what you got out of those two activities——whether it was organizing a fundraising drive, learning how to market a product and deal with difficult customers, or whatever you think might be relevant to the positions you're now seeking. You may be surprised at just how much you did learn during your time away from full—time work, and many skills these days are far more portable than most people think.

Q：Which do you think is better, working for only one manager or reporting to several different people? I work for a PR agency and have been reporting to a different manager for each of three accounts. Now our managing director wants each of us junior people to work with only one manager (to build loyalty3, he says). I'm just starting my career, and I'd like to get exposure to many different management styles, rather than knowing how only one person approaches different situations and problems. Do you agree?

A：I do, as it happens, although I doubt your managing director is overly interested in my opinion. Not only early in a career, but all the way through, it can be extremely valuable to have lots of role models to draw upon (including really bad bosses, who can teach you a thing or two about how not to manage). However, if you're now to be limited to one boss, you might consider seeking out exposure to lots of different styles and methods by getting involved in a trade association or professional group.

Q：I'm thinking about going back to school for a graduate degree, but I live far from any decent colleges or universities, so I'd like to look into online degree programs. Do you know of any comprehensive listing of schools that offer long-distance study?

A：The only detailed4, up—to—date directory of online degree programs that I'm aware of——and, readers, please let us know if there are others out there!——is Accredited5 College Degrees Through Distance Learning, available through www.accrediteddldegrees.com for $19.95 online or $22.95 if you order by phone, mail, or fax. The directory is in its 9th edition, and two of those have come out so far this year, so it's quite current, and tells how to apply for long-distance degrees in 900 fields at more than 350 accredited colleges and universities nationwide. While we're on this subject, which is one that comes up frequently in e-mails from my magazine readers, I'd love to hear from folks out there who have studied online. What was the experience like for you? Would you recommend it? Do prospective6 employers regard an online (or other type of long-distance) degree as equivalent to the "real," in—person kind? E—mail me here and tell all.