9/17/09: Top Career Posts this Week
Every week I check dozens of “career” blogs and other online publications, looking for things that will help you find a job, get promoted, develop your skills, and keep everything in perspective and balance. Here’s the pick of the lot for this week. I’m pointing you to items about relocation expenses and contracts, interview questions, bully bosses, helping clients, and impressing your boss.
From the Evil HR Lady: Relocation
“My question is regarding a relocation pay-back clause. I accepted a position with my company that involved moving from CA to TN in February of 2009. The company gave me a lump sum (after tax) of $10,000 to cover relocation and moving expenses. Since that time, I’ve decided that my long term goals don’t align with my company’s any longer. I’m looking to leave and actually have a new job opportunity on the table that I’m seriously considering. My problem is that when I went back and looked at the contract that I signed for the new position, it clearly states that if I leave the company within 12 months of the hire date, I am liable to pay back all (or a part) of my relocation expenses to the company. With this in mind, here are a few questions for you”
Wally’s Comment: As you might guess, the questioner has received money for relocation and now wants to leave his company. Evil HR Lady has a cogent response that’s worth a read. But the real value is in the comments on this post. If you spent part of your life being let off the hook instead of reaping some negative consequences from a choice or two, this will be especially educational reading for you.
From Fortify Your Oasis: Common Interview Questions: #3 Do you have any questions for us?
“At some point in the interview process, someone inevitably smiles at you and says, “I am sure you must have some questions for us?” Most candidates hate this part of the interview, regard it as being very difficult to do at the end of a tiring, stressful process and trot out one or two trite little questions that utterly fail to impress the interviewers. And that last point is the key – if you have intelligent, well-researched questions to ask, you have yet another chance to impress the powers-that-be and distinguish yourself from the herd.”
Wally’s Comment: Rowan Manahan is a master of explaining how and how not to answer interview questions.
From Bret Simmons: When the Bully Boss is Female
“The bully is counting on the fact that no one will say anything because they have learned that most people will not. The best way to get the bully to behave differently toward you is to behave differently toward them. Dealing with a bully is messy but necessary.”
Wally’s Comment: Whether your bully of a boss is male or female, this post has good, simple instructions for what you need to do.
From the Wall Street Journal: Helping Out-of-Work Clients
“Some companies are offering career counseling to customers who’ve lost jobs during the recession, hoping to help old friends and win additional loyalty when the economy recovers.”
Wally’s Comment: This is more than a feel-good story. It’s the kind of piece that starts you thinking.
From Terry Starbucker: 10 Surefire Ways to Impress Your Boss
“Nearly everybody in the business world has a boss. So there are a lot of people out there trying to make great impressions and move up the ladder of success. But only so many succeed. Why do some make it look so easy, while others seem to never get over the hump? The truth is, it’s really pretty simple, if you practice these 10 actions.”
Wally’s Comment: Almost all career success goes through a boss of some kind. You want to look good to the boss. Here’s how.