June 2008

how to take criticism without getting defensive

If your manager takes the time to give you constructive criticism, responding defensively is the worst thing you can do. I once managed a woman who responded to any constructive criticism by throwing up an impenetrable wall and insisting she knew what she was doing. As her boss, I knew her performance needed work—and her […]

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should you be honest in an exit interview?

A reader writes: I am leaving my job in a few days, on excellent terms. Our HR manager just set up the exit interview and (somewhat to my surprise) asked me to fill out an exit survey. Is this normal? This is my first “real” job, so I don’t know. The survey asks, among other […]

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returning to old company

A reader writes: I have been at my current job for only 2 months. but I am really not happy. I do not agree with my boss’ practices and views on how to do my responsibilities (my boss is also the president of the company). Management is a bit disorganized. my responsibilities are not clear, […]

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no, you cannot sue … but you can negotiate or quit

A reader writes: I work at a highly respected multi-billion dollar aviation corporation. This company has been in a long-term project that I have been involved with for nearly seven years. During the duration of this project, I have been “on loan,” along with several other employees from various business areas. Our various official job […]

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didn’t give full two weeks notice

A reader writes: I quit my first job out of college after staying at a company for a year because I found a new opportunity. However, I did not give a full two weeks notice. I told my manager the day he came back from a vacation and by that time, I had to start […]

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9 ways to start your new job right

How you handle your first few weeks on a job can set the tone for your entire stay at the new company. Here are nine ways to set yourself up right: 1. You might be overwhelmed by all the new information: Don’t freak out about it. I have a theory that you can only retain […]

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check in on new people

Do you check in on new employees? Do you ask them how they’re doing, what they might need, how you can help them, how things are going in general? Not once, not just on their first day, but multiple times, throughout their first weeks? You should. A semi-new colleague told me today that he’d never […]

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unfair raise practices?

A reader writes: I changed jobs 2 years ago. When I made the switch, it was an increase in responsibilities (middle management), but my salary did not increase. The reputation and stability of the company and the new job was very interesting to me. Last year (year 1), I received an above average raise – […]

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horrified at feedback from boss

A reader writes: I was recently passed over for a promotion in favor of a lesser qualified coworker. I thought I was doing the right thing by soliciting feedback from my manager but her feedback was confusing and vague. She told me that I am “insensitive” and when I asked for examples she cited examples […]

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