Dear Coach, I had a job interview recently and when I called the company the hiring manager jokingly asked, “Ready to come to work tomorrow?” The human resources representative, however, said they were still checking my references. I don’t think the HR rep, who is a part-timer, is working very hard at this. I’m eager to start. Is it OK to call again next week?
Carol Kleiman: Absolutely. It’s OK to show you really want this job. And I hope you get it.
Dear Coach, At a recent staff meeting, a fellow employee yelled an obscenity at me and cursed another colleague. Both our bosses were present, but he has never been held accountable. What can I do?
CK: If the managers won’t do anything about it, there’s not a whole lot you can do. Morally, you have the right to demand an apology directly from him. But for now, it might be best just to put this aside. If it happens again, then you should go to management and ask that something be done about this out-of-control person. And perhaps, behind the scenes, that’s just what they’re trying to do right now.
Dear Coach, I’m close to obtaining a position and don’t want my age known to any employer until after the job offer is made. Is it OK to white-out my age on my driver’s license? I feel I’ve been discriminated against because of my “mature” age.
CK: Hold the white-out and don’t show them your driver’s license at all. Why do they need to see it? Is driving part of your job description? If it’s not, then asking to see your license is the same as asking your age.
Dear Coach, My husband has more than 23 years’ experience as a restaurant manager but doesn’t have a college degree. In his present job, he has increased sales by 24 percent this year and overall profits by 38 percent. Yet he can’t get promoted because he doesn’t have a degree–and no time to get one even if he tried to because he works more than 80 hours a week. What can he do to convince his district manager he should be promoted anyway?
CK: Well, if increased sales and increased profits don’t do it, there isn’t much hope for a promotion unless he gets that degree–even if he has to cut back his hours to get it.
COACH CAROL’S 15-SECOND DRILL: Take that job being offered at a slightly lower salary than you wanted if the working conditions and company values are closer to what you know you need to be happy. You can always happily ask for more money later.
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Tuesday’s and Thursday’s Business sections. Hear her on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and at 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. E-mail ckleiman@tribune.com.
