My problem… My Manager.
June 30, 2009 – 8:19 pm
Dear Office-Politics
I work for a very large world-wide distribution center. My location, however, is a very small “off spring” branch that has only two employees, myself and the branch manager.
Let me start by saying I love my job! I love the people I deal with over the phone, the few walk in customers and the work load.
My problem… My Manager. I am at my wits end. I honestly don’t know where to turn. I know that if I were to do the things my boss does, I would have been fired!
He spends most of his days surfing the internet and posting in chat rooms. When he’s not playing on the computer he’s on his cell phone. He is a part time police officer and many a time he is called away for police related work. He has left our store to go to court. I am told that if upper management calls, I’m to say he is on a sales call. Upper Management is aware of his part time position, but has little knowledge of his leaving our office for his police duties. Several days at work he is so tired from his night shift that he will go into his office to sleep for hours. I am told not to disturb him. More…
Win or lose in the first 5 minutes of a job interview
The first five minutes of any job interview are critical in the selection process. For candidates seeking employment at a job fair, an initial interview with a company may last only five minutes. A job seeker has to be qualified in order to get the job but there will always be several other people who are equally qualified as far as the interviewer is concerned. In the end, you will be hired because the interviewer personally likes you the best, not necessarily because you are the most qualified in the field of candidates. And many interviewers, especially in a job fair situation, will know whether or not he or she likes you the best within the first five minutes!
How can I analyze crime if I’m stonewalled?
Dear Office-Politics, I work at a police department. I am in a “non-sworn” position. My job is to analyze crime - identify crime series/trends/patterns, do tactical and strategic analysis, etc. I am a department of one which makes things difficult as I don’t automatically have anyone who “Has my back”. And I’m dealing with different “Teams” of people - like patrol, detectives, problem oriented team -etc. I have been told by others that they see me as intelligent and passionate about my job. But I feel some of the detectives (one in particular) stonewall me - and then the other detectives always have his back….
How do you get back up?
A while back, I received a distressed email from Ken, a young manager at a high-tech company.
Ken and I had never met, but he had read my first two books and had done his best to apply the ideas and practices of Extreme Leadership to the way he’d led his team. To their culture, their work ethic, their camaraderie. When necessary, Ken told me, they would band together and work hard — 10 to 20 hours a day at times — to solve a problem or meet a pressing need. Ken’s wife would cook food for everyone and bring it to the office. They felt like a family, he said, committed to doing great work and devoted to one another’s success. No one ever complained, least of all Ken. At one point, he’d even forgone his bonus so his employees could collect theirs.
How do I deal with angry female coworker?
Dear Office-Politics, I have a coworker that has done everything in her power to get under my skin and a lot of time I feel like there is very little I can say because I am afraid it will be seen by HR or others as me being the Macho guy. She promoted herself to our level and has only a high school degree. She yelled at me today in front of a lot of other people and I just walked away. But I think it is time for me to take action and register the fact in writing. Understanding that I have to communicate with her what should I do. I wish I could look for another job but the economy is not good now. How do I deal with an angry black woman?
Risky Hire after sex harassment query at interview; response by J. Glueck Bezoza
Dear Office-Politics,
I‘m a recently hired college grad, and I was asked back three times during the interviewing process. On the third time I hadn’t prepared the night before, and I was on the train three stops away trying to conjure up good questions. I recalled one really good one my sister suggested. I was supposed to research it on the web, but I decided to just ask the question. So I asked “Have there been any incidences of sexual harassment?” hoping to get insight on how they would handle a situation. It was a last minute question that turned into a bad idea. I’ve been in sexually charged workplaces before. I’ve been blatantly ogled, and been told sexually suggestive things. I never reported anything. I deal with those things daily; it bothers me, but I can’t change people.
Risky Hire after sex harassment query at interview; response by Marty Seldman
Dear Office-Politics,
I‘m a recently hired college grad, and I was asked back three times during the interviewing process. On the third time I hadn’t prepared the night before, and I was on the train three stops away trying to conjure up good questions. I recalled one really good one my sister suggested. I was supposed to research it on the web, but I decided to just ask the question. So I asked “have there been any incidences of sexual harassment?” hoping to get insight on how they would handle a situation. It was a last minute question that turned into a bad idea. I’ve been in sexually charged workplaces before. I’ve been blatantly ogled, and been told sexually suggestive things. I never reported anything. I deal with those things daily; it bothers me, but I can’t change people.
Don’t Be Fooled by Myths About Job Market
Lately, there have been a growing number of stories about the double-dip recession in light of bleak economic reports on factory orders and
For the job seeker all of this negative news begins to mount until it feels that the search for employment is entirely hopeless. Job seekers may have acquaintances telling them “XYZ company just laid off 500 people, I would not apply there.” Or, ‟You will never find a job in the telecommunications industry, it is the weakest sector in the economy.” Pretty soon so many people are fostering these myths that they become easy to believe.
Job Hunt: Equal or Better Your Last Salary
Due to the current economic conditions, companies are looking for the most profit-oriented leaders they can find. They also aim to attract executives and managers who have a record from past assignments that defines them as successful motivators. For many in this job market, simply finding and holding on to a job takes priority over the compensation level. The key to staying on the payroll once you are able to find a job involves demonstrating to an employer that you are able to do many things during a period when many companies remain heavily focused on cost containment. You should not only do the job that you were hired to do, but you should augment it with additional work whenever possible. It may require more hours on the job and some advance planning during non-work hours, but the dividends can be significant.
Distant corner office vs Cube next to Boss?
Dear Office-Politics,
We are doubling the size of our current office space due to rapid growth. At the current office where I am one of several managers, I have a corner office right next to my boss. My boss is taking the choice office at the far end of the new office space and if I move to stay close to him, I will have to give up the corner office and move into a smaller space. If I stay in my current office, I will be at the far end of the office from him. From an organizational perception standpoint, how important is it for me to be close to the seat of power? If I do not lose will I be viewed as less important? Out of the loop? Out of sight out of mind?
Tactics to compete with difficult coworker?
Dear Office-Politics,
I am writing on behalf of a close friend, “Jane,” who has asked me to help her find tactics to compete with a difficult coworker.
Jane has been in her current job a bit over two years. For the first year, she felt valued and generally satisfied with her position. Then another woman, “Laura,” joined Jane’s department. Jane’s work life has been deteriorating ever since.
Laura is something of an overachiever and, by what I hear from Jane (I do not work with them), a consummate politicker. Laura has ingratiated herself to their mutual superior, is chummy with many of their colleagues and appears helpful to and liked by all — except Jane.
Take Advantage of the Time Between Jobs
The latest Challenger report of quarterly job search times indicates that during the last quarter of 2008, it took job seekers about 3.0 months to find a new position. It is an ample amount of time to conduct professional self-improvement.
By taking a proactive stance to increase marketable skills, a candidate will increase opportunities for securing a satisfying position. From taking a computer language course at a local community college to starting an MBA program online at a high-profile university, job seekers will increase their marketability simply by being enrolled.
Improving your ability to get hired, especially in an economy such as this one, is tantamount to landing the next job offer. Human resource executives notice which candidates have taken it upon themselves to update their skills through education. Companies want employees who have the zeal to be life-long learners.
Plan for Success; Out-think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change 
