Are you currently in a relationship going nowhere? Have you been let down by someone you once respected? Have you gotten a job offer you don't know if you should take? Does any of that sound like something you're going through with Woot? Whether Woot-related OR not: write into us for some solid advice! Read on for this week’s letters:
Here's my lamentation: There is a possibility my department will be eliminated early next year. Oh NO! I love, love, love my job! Plus, I suck at job hunting.
I have a two part question. Does a person need to be a professional to join LinkedIn? What do you consider to be a professional?
Signed,
On the Borderline
Hello friend! The heartbreaking reality is that yours is not a unique lamentation, and that’d unfortunately mean that you may have more competition out there when/if you’re set asunder. So what to do? I deeply believe that in general, you should always be looking at other jobs, if only to be aware of the current trends in your field and maybe what other companies are looking for. Keep your resume up to date and your cover letter writin’ up to speed, and yes, join LinkedIn! I’m torn on whether it actually helps, but I bet that HR reps and potential managers will go there (or Facebook) first to get a feel for who you are and what kinds of people you’re connected to/interested in.
So do you have to be a “professional”? Doubtful, and being Google-able, it can’t hurt to have a presence! That leads to a different question- what do you put up there? Stay true to yourself, keep things brief, and remain professional-ish enough that someone would want to hire you because you’re reliable, but doesn’t think you’re coming off as disingenuous.
Here's my lamentation:
My old boss just died a couple days ago. This would be a sad thing, but the guy is the reason I left a great job earlier than I would have. I feel bad that I don't really feel bad, if that makes sense. I'm not dancing on his grave or anything, but the guy really would just focus on one or two people for a while and make their job hell.
I haven't seen him for a few years now, but have no intention to attend any service or anything.
What should I tell anyone that calls to see if I want to go?
Signed,
Bosswasajerk
Hello friend! My first question would be: will people actually be asking you if you want to go with the implied expectation that you HAVE to be there? And a follow up: how much do you already hate those people who seem to have no concept of how many issues you had with him?
My inclination is that you probably aren’t very close to anyone who would wonder why you wouldn’t be at his funeral, and I don’t think something like this is out of line: “thank you for letting me know, I don’t think I’ll be able to attend but my thoughts are with his family”. If pressed for answers, you could make something up just to get them off your back. It’d be out of line if you went off about how horrible he was to someone who didn’t maybe need to know, but realistically- it’s just as rude to force someone into answering why someone won’t be at a funeral.
Here's my lamentation:
I have been searching all the isles and I still can not find the winning lottery number.
Signed,
HELP
32.
Did I miss something? No doubt! Correct my terrible advice in the comments, or send your own questions/comments in!
Images from Flickr users potamos.photography, darkday & Gianfranco Blanco