4. Shares too many personal details. This is a work situation, not the therapist’s couch. A good boss shouldn’t share problems or inappropriate personal details. If you find the conversation often veers in this direction, lead the way by being very brief in your responses and then change the subject back to business. And don’t bring your own problems to the office. 5. Makes inappropriate references. Any comment that makes you squirm is one that shouldn’t have been made in the office. This includes water cooler jokes, emails, or comments about your physical appearance. Include in this category any type of implication that the boss is interested in a relationship of a personal nature, even if it’s not something you’re entirely opposed to. Workplace romances are NEVER a good idea, and it’s beyond unprofessional to even make the suggestion. All of these things are a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen. 6. Implies that sex, race, age or religion is a factor in work performance. None of these things have anything to do with your ability to do the job you were hired for. The suggestion that it might is not only unfair, it’s discriminatory. Address any such implication immediately. If you find that you’re experiencing one or more of these problems with regularity, you need to speak to your boss about your discomfort. This isn’t always an easy thing to do, but it’s necessary to maintain a professional working relationship. Keep in mind that he/she may not even be aware that it is bothering you. The key is to open a dialogue that can deal with the issues. Approach your boss in a free, calm moment, and let him or her know that you feel there are some issues that need to be addressed. Then calmly discuss the issues; discuss the problem in an open and honest manner. And always keep in mind, that having respect for yourself and your needs will allow the boss to see you’re there to do your best work. If discussing with your boss does not change things for the better, then consider going up the chain of command or to HR for help. CHAPTER 23 5 Tips to Creating a World-Class Employment Reference List It Pays to Keep Your Best References Happy! Your references: are they that important in the hiring process? In a word - absolutely. Unfortunately, professional references are perhaps the most overlooked and underutilized tool in most people’s employment arsenal. If you’re not using your references to your best advantage, you may be making an error in your search for new employment. An excellent resume may get your foot in the door for an interview, but it’s your references that will likely “seal the deal” and get you the actual job offer. So, ask yourself: Will the list of job references I have created ensure that stellar new job offer? The professional reference-checking firm of Allison & Taylor Reference Checking offers these five tips on how to create a compelling reference list: 1. First, think about your list content. Will you always use the same references? Or does employment diversity require that you create more than one set, each tailored to your specific expertise in that field? 2. Who’s to say you can’t use a reference from your not-so-recent past? If it’s relevant - and the reference is willing - go all the way back to college if appropriate. In fact, a professor may make an excellent reference if their input is germane to the job you’re applying for. 3. Are your references striving to “sell you” to employers? Are you offering up only the input of the HR department? They will generally give a canned “dates and title” response, which is not what potential employers seek. Try to provide references that can speak to your abilities. Better still, ensure you’re aware of what your reference will truly say about you by contacting a professional reference checking organization . 4. Is it always necessary to use a supervisor? Certainly, not. Of course, someone who has seen your day-to-day performance is best - but don’t close off your options by assuming that person has to be your direct supervisor. You can certainly go above them - perhaps your supervisor’s boss can provide a more accurate (and flattering) reference.
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