Dealing With Dumb Decisions
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently read your comments about “micromanagers.” I work for one. During the cold winter months, while traveling within the metro area, he ordered me to leave the motor vehicle unattended with the motor running. I once had a battery removed from my own vehicle, and the thought of a whole vehicle being stolen is too real for me to ignore. Would I be on safe ground to say “no” without being accused of insubordination? — Damon Read more
Employee Reported Me – How Do I React?
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m a manager with a staff of seven. The other day our general manager pulled me aside and started asking odd questions. Apparently an employee had called our corporate office anonymously and reported I am doing my job improperly, even committing fraud. My GM knows I am not like that, but she has to do her job, and now that I’ve been warned and written up, I am one strike away from being let go. Should I confront this “anonymous” employee, or let it slide? — Bill Read more
Changing Careers? Zig-zag Your Way Into New Territory!
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Ilona Vanderwoude
Career changers and renaissance folks alike always ask me: “How do I change paths without having to begin at the bottom all over again?” Read more
How to Be More Likeable: 10 Things to Do Today
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, G.L. Hoffman
To a large measure, your likeability will lead to success or failure. It often trumps skill levels in surveys of HR people who are asked to name the most important characteristic of job candidates and employees. Other than “don’t be an jerk,” what can you do to increase your own likeability? Is it really possible to change? Or, do you believe your likeability has been set by some cosmic forces, and if people don’t like you as you are, so what? BTW, being rich or good looking is not on the list.
Here are 10 characteristics of likeable people, who can pass the no-jerk test, or the always reliable would-you-fly-across-the-country-with-them test. Read more
Will an MBA Boost My Career?
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 28 years old, working in a mid-size company and responsible for IT processes. I want to go from being a computer scientist to a CIO [Chief Information Officer, the head technology person in a company]. I’m wondering whether it is useful to go for an MBA. An MBA would be a clear statement. How much time can be saved by having one? — Chris Read more
Should I Go to HR?
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I normally am a very happy, enthusiastic employee. Getting along with ANYONE has never been an issue. However, I now have a co-worker who has been very hostile and makes rude comments that he pretends are “jokes.” About a year ago, I began keeping a journal of these incidents. As much as I would like to go to HR, when the incidents are isolated on paper, it appears that I am whining about practically nothing. How would it be handled if I did go to HR? — Gloria Read more
7 Key Ways to Promote Your Personal Brand
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Sean Harry
By now you understand finding the perfect job requires more than simply writing a resume and posting it online. In fact, if you are going to take the “apply-on-line” approach you should spend NO MORE than 2 hours per week at it. Less than 5% of jobs are ever posted online, so if you are going to find your next job fast you need to spend your time elsewhere.
The successful and savvy job seeker will develop a compelling personal brand and spend 75% of their time (or more) promoting it. Here are 7 key ways to promote your personal brand. Read more
Career Question: What Do You Have at Stake?
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt
Considering a career change? Thinking of going for that promotion? Looking for a job? Something is motivating you to consider your options, but have you asked yourself the one question which once answered really identifies what would happen if you didn’t pursue the change? That question is simple in content yet profound in context: What do you have at stake? In other words, what do you have to lose in your life if you do NOT seek this transition? Read more
The Art and Skill of Saying “No” Effectively
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Andy Robinson
We all get bombarded with requests and demands for our attention and our time. Learning to say “No” in a way that is respectful but firm is a key skill you can develop to handle those requests you simply do not have time for, or the knowledge to do effectively. Read more
Gifts vs. Favors: Why One is POWER & Other is POISON to Your Career
By CAREEREALISM.com Founder, J.T. O’Donnell
I read a post by Seth Godin recently that discussed the power of a gift. Something struck me immediately: People who struggle to find professional satisfaction (a.k.a. a job they are happy with) are often guilty of doing favors instead of giving gifts. If you’ve ever said the following, then you are guilty too: Read more
