Comments for Career Chat

Comment on Friend as a boss by Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:08:33 +0000

Yes I was hired by a friend when he left our old company. After I joined the new company at his request I realized that he expected me to look the other way while he took gifts from vendors and all sorts of things which although not criminal were definitely things I would not have taken lightly had he not been my friend. And worst of all I was the Auditor. To make a long story short we did not part as friends.

Comment on Friend as a boss by Holly Mack

Holly Mack — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:32:13 +0000

I found myself in this situation not too long ago. Not only was my friend my boss, but it was a job I had wanted. The jealousy at first was harder to deal with than the fact that she was my boss. There was a bit of adjustment at first, but since we are both professionals, we worked it out, and are now able to separate work from personal. Just remember you’re both adults, and need to act like it.

Comment on Friend as a boss by Dawn S

Dawn S — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:11:48 +0000

Yes, it was hard. Our friendship has since gotten better since I found a position at a different company, but it was really hard to not take some professional decisions personally.

Comment on Networking by Arielle West

Arielle West — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:45:13 +0000

I would think taking professional communication courses would help alleviate any anxiety due to poor performance/awkward networking and help build skills that would be useful. It would give a poor presenter/public speaker a foundation from which to build and gain confidence with.

Comment on Networking by Polly Schultz

Polly Schultz — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:33:25 +0000

I agree that things like LinkedIn and Facebook are good tools, but the real networking we need is done face to face. It doesn’t have to be so “professional”, all the time either. You could network just by going out with your co-workers to a happy hour, or eat lunch with someone you normally don’t. You never know who/what that person will know to help you make the next positive change in your career.

Comment on Networking by M Gordon

M Gordon — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:32:36 +0000

Go to industry events and introduce yourself to people, making sure to give them your business card. Be brief - give them your “elevator pitch”. This is a term used by entrepeneurs - you should be able to introduce yourself and your company to a potential investor in a memorable, concise way before the end of a elevator ride.

Comment on Networking by Valerie Goodwin

Valerie Goodwin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:02:25 +0000

I guess for those who are not very good “people’s persons”, joining various software user groups, Linkedin are some e-channels that could come to the rescue. This could be a good start, but the higher you climb up the corporate ladder, the more important networking is -not only to get a job but in order to get that visibility within the organization.

Comment on Networking by Lauren Duffy

Lauren Duffy — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:40:33 +0000

Joining Toastmasters was an invaluable tool for my networking. Not only was I able to become a much better public speaker, but it allowed me to greatly expand my network. Everyone’s network in the group became my own expanded network, since everyone was looking to help others within their group.

Comment on Politics in the office by Doug Powers

Doug Powers — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:09:46 +0000

People at my work aren’t afraid to express their political viewpoint or to hang some posters that show their political allegiance, but campaigning in an office probably is out of bounds for most companies.

Comment on Politics in the office by Valerie Goodwin

Valerie Goodwin — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:26:37 +0000

It’s just the other way at my workplace. People are very cautious to even express their political leanings. At times I wonder why should it be difficult to express your opinion without disrespecting another’s viewpoint?