Q–I was hired by someone who was later fired for mismanaging monies. I have watched co-workers being promoted and have wondered why I was not being considered for any of the positions. The last time I was passed over for a promotion, I asked my boss and his boss. They said I do not have leadership skills. I have two associate’s degrees in technology and business, a bachelor’s degree in business management and I am finishing a master’s degree in organizational management. I also have 24 years of military service with leadership skills as platoon sergeant, first sergeant and sergeant major. I think management thinks I am no better than the person who hired me. Any suggestions?
A–If your boss associates you with your former boss, you need to work on dissolving that association. Although you are still working there, he may think you had some involvement that the company couldn’t prove. To advance in the company, try to develop a more personal relationship with him so he trusts and respects your abilities. Through casual conversations, show your values, ethics and concern for others. Once he feels you are on his side, you may have a greater chance of being promoted.
Q–I worked as a counselor running group sessions, handling individual cases and referrals to medical and substance-abuse care. According to my supervisor, my work was superior. Despite my superior performance, I was fired. I filed for and received unemployment. My unemployment is up and I have not found another job. I am concerned that my employer may be bad-mouthing me.
A–If your employer had fired you for cause, you would not have received unemployment. It doesn’t sound like you have reason to worry about a bad reference, but you could call your former supervisor to talk about the type of reference she or the agency will give. There could be many other reasons you may not be finding another job. Different employers value and have need for varying levels of experience, specialty fields, training, education, appearance and ability to handle different types of people. If you are getting many job interviews but no offers, you may need to practice your interviewing skills
Q–I’ve been in banking for 28 years and my department now for 4 1/2 years. All my reviews have been good and I’ve always jumped in to learn new anything that was asked of me. The problem is that my review is seven months late. For every month that it has been late, I have written memos and left voice-mail messages that went unanswered. I even left a message for the bank president. Our HR department finally answered one message saying “you have a valid complaint,” but nothing has been done yet. I have also noticed new people being hired with less experience but for much more money. Co-workers have said that I am too nice and that I work harder than the job is worth. What am I not seeing here?
A–It’s possible that you are being taken for granted, but your boss may be postponing the meeting because of an upcoming change that he or she cannot tell you about yet. You have a right to be concerned about new employees with less experience being brought in for more money. Ask to meet briefly with your boss and stop sending everyone messages regarding your late review. If you want to know about your future with the bank, you may have to ask directly and take the focus away from the review.
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Write to Lindsey Novak, Jobs, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. E-mail her at AtWorkbyLN@aol.com.
