The competition for management-track jobs is more ferocious than it’s been in almost a decade, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 28 Ask Annie column, so it’s now more important than ever to work hard at preparing for interviews.

How did you get your first “real” job after college? Is your company hiring new grads? What impresses you most in candidates and why? If you’re a new or soon-to-be grad, are you seeing job opportunities? What’s your job hunt strategy, and how well is it working so far?

If the people you ask employers to contact as recommendations are anything but easy to reach, and highly enthusiastic, you could lose out on an offer, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her April 7 Ask Annie column. Do you have good references? Has a reference ever surprised you by saying something negative? Ever said anything not-so-nice when asked for a reference? What’s the worst reference you’ve heard or gotten?

It’s a sign of the times. Employers who hesitate to add costly permanent jobs are increasingly looking for short-term talent – and plenty of highly qualified people are looking for work to tide them over until hiring picks up again, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 16 Ask Annie column. Does the idea of working at a series of interim jobs appeal to you? Why or why not? If you’ve ever done, or are doing, temporary work, how does it differ (for better and worse) from a permanent position? Any tips for those who are considering it?

This is an exceptionally lousy time to be looking for a job, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 15 Ask Annie column. But if you’re a professional or manager, there may well be a job opening out there with your name on it. Are there pockets of opportunity, in your city or your industry, where companies are still hiring? Have you recently gotten a new job despite the tough overall job market? If so, do you have any suggestions for job hunters?

More than two-thirds, of hiring managers in a recent survey said they’d rather muddle along with the employees they have than take a chance on hiring someone new, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her November 25 Ask Annie column. Of course, if some new hires turn out to be turkeys, lots of hiring managers are no prize pigs themselves. What was the worst hire you’ve ever made – or who was the biggest turkey you ever went to work for?

Panel interviews are getting more common all the time, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her November 21 Ask Annie column. Ever been interviewed by a panel — or been a panel member? What do you see as the pros and cons? Got any tips for candidates or panelists? What are your most-dreaded types of interviews?

To supercharge your career, particularly when times get tough, you need a big, strong network of professional contacts — people you can call on, and who know they can call on you, for advice, information, referrals, and introductions, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her November 7 Ask Annie column. Do you have a strong network? Could it be better? Has your network helped you find a job? Conversely, have you helped colleagues find work? What has helped you – and hasn’t? Who’s been most helpful? Any pet peeves?

Retailers plan to take on even fewer seasonal workers than they did last fall, which was not such a hot hiring season either, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Oct. 27 Ask Annie column. Are you looking for a seasonal job this year? Got any tips for finding one – or for turning it into a permanent one?

Now that Goldman Sachs says it will lay off 10% of its employees, there will be 3,260 more bankers pounding the pavement, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Oct. 23 Ask Annie column. Have you been laid off from a Wall Street job? Any advice for laid-off bankers?

Once a company has announced plans to cut its headcount, employees face a tricky choice, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Sept. 30 Ask Annie column. What should employees facing a layoff threat do and what should they avoid at all costs? Have you ever jumped ship in advance of a layoff – or stayed on board too long?