It’s terse answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go…
My boss forgot a major detail of my personal life
I have worked with my boss, Nancy, for 4.5 years. We are a two-person department in a 24-person bureau. We work extremely closely and well together. We frequently discuss what’s going on in our lives. I moved to Phoenix 7 years ago, and prior to that raised my children in San Antonio for 18 years. Yesterday, something came up and Nancy said, “oh, I never knew you lived in San Antonio.” I am hurt and disappointed in her, now I don’t think she really pays attention at all. I have turned down several opportunities because I didn’t want to leave her stranded with the work. I feel my loyalty has been for nothing. What do you think?
I think that if you “work extremely closely and well together,” you should be glad that you have a boss where that’s the case, not get sidetracked by something that has absolutely nothing to do with work. Return to enjoying your great relationship with your boss — which is something a lot of people would love to have.
Telling my departing boss I’d love to work for his new company
I currently work for a construction company which is not doing well, and hasn’t been for the past year or so now. There have been major lay-offs, and I am now required to do the work of two of the people they laid off in addition to my regular work. I don’t mind taking one for the team, but the way the owner and managers are handling things do not seem very professional, let alone respectful to us employees. In light of all of this, our VP (who is amazing) is leaving the company to start his own business. I have a good working relationship with him, and want to ask him if he would have a position available for me, but I’m not sure how to go about asking him. I want to be professional, but I’m not sure exactly how to go about it.
I don’t know what kind of business he’s starting, but often when people are starting a business, they don’t have money to pay employees. However, if that’s not the case here and he indeed hiring a staff, just tell him: “I’d love to come work for you.” (Make sure that you make it about wanting to work with him, not about hating your current job.) If the business is just him for now, then tell him this: “Down the road when you’re ready to bring people in, I’d love to talk with you about working together again.” And then make sure you stay in touch.
How do I get around a master’s requirement in an application system?
I am applying for a position that I have done for the past 6 years. I do not have the master’s degree that is required for the new position. I know with the new software out for online applications, this question will automatically reject me for the position. How do I get around this problem? I enjoy the position I am currently in but will be laid off in a couple of weeks due to downsizing.
Network. Find another way into the company other than the online application system. If you’re stuck with the application system, you might be out of luck.
What does it mean when a job listing is taken down?
What does it mean when a job listing that’s been up on a company website for less than a week is taken down? I applied for the job, and didn’t hear back, but checked back on the website and saw it missing. Does this mean they’ve already managed to fill it and just didn’t bother to reject me?
It could mean that, but it could also mean that they’ve received a flood of applications and are turning off the spigot while they consider them.
My manager is a jerk
My manager started off as just a supervisor, and was lovely in the beginning. We’d often chit-chat about past jobs in the industry that we’d held, and contested about our most horrible bosses in the past. She rather recently became my manager, and while initially I was excited for her, I I was rather disillusioned when she turned out to be one of those managers we’d spoken about. Now she threatens not only my job, but the newer recruits as well over easily remedied things.
Not one of us in my department feels safe in our position, and that’s led to anxiety, and honestly, more errors. The harder we try, the more we panic, the more we make mistakes, the more she threatens. It’s gotten to the point that the place I once loved coming in to work to, now makes me physically ill with worry. What can I do? Should I talk to her superior and risk her wrath? I’ve already tried speaking with her -sugar coated and bluntly, that I don’t appreciate having my job threatened and it’s not doing our department any favors. She said she’d stop, though she hasn’t- it’s only gotten worse.
She sounds like someone who is so unsure of how to manage that she’s resorting to fear and threats. That’s the hallmark of someone who doesn’t trust their ability to get the work done any other way. The fact that she told you she’d stop (and then didn’t/couldn’t) points to that too.
Depending on your relationship with her boss, and what that person is like, it’s possible that you could bring the issue to her attention, especially as a group rather than on your own … but depending on the dynamics there, that could backfire horribly. Unless you know that person to be fair and receptive to feedback, you’re probably best off determining your own bottom line and figuring out if you’d rather look for another job.
Job offer was pulled a day later
I went for a second interview at a company. That same day, the lady phoned and told me that I got the job and she would email me the salary package the next morning, and I should look at it and then speak to my current boss about resigning as they want me to start within less than 3 weeks. The next morning there were no emails from her, so I contacted her via phone as I made already a appointment with my current manager. One of her coworkers answered and told me that the HR manager first needs to go through the applications and then decide if I was successful. I sent the lady a email to ask what is going on, as she told me that I already had the job, why should I wait? I then received a email from the HR manager saying that there was a miscommunication and my application was unsuccessful, and they wish me all the best for my future. No reason why my application was unsuccessful whatsoever. Is there anything that I can do?
No. They’re allowed to change their mind unless you already have a signed contract (which most people never get at any stage). But don’t set meetings with your boss to resign until you have a job offer in writing, including salary details and start date, which you’ve accepted. They can STILL pull an offer at that point, but it’s far more unusual at that stage.
Manager won’t return reference calls
I had worked with the same company and manager for six years I had left in April of this year to move back to my home state to help my parents as they get older. My former manager and I didn’t have the best relationship and he was upset when I decided to leave for my home state. However when I had left he stated that if ever I needed a letter of reference/reference he would give one. I had read in a previous post of yours that it might be good to have a friend call and check if you are not sure about the reference. I had one of my friends call and they had left a couple of messages. My former manager had not called her back. My question is what is the best way to handle this? Should I contact me former employer and see if there is a problem? My concern is for future employers that try to call him for a reference.
Yes, call him. Say this: “An employer is trying to reach you for a reference and told me they’ve been unable to get ahold of you. I want to make sure that you’re still willing to serve as a reference for me, and if so, is there a good time they can reach you?”
His silence may mean that he actually doesn’t want to give you a reference (which he should have told you straightforwardly), or it might mean he’s on vacation or something like that. Ask.
