Aug 14, 2008

BUSINESS MATTERS: Moving on: When it's time to say goodbye

By Mildred Culp / Daily News Columnist

Q: When and how do you talk to your current employer about your desire to seek other work? I worked at one place for 16 years. When I submitted my resignation, some of the management team seemed offended that I hadn't discussed my intentions. I'd considered talking to my employer, but I didn't know how to begin the discussion constructively. After my resignation, I did tell my employer that I felt that a lack of a formal review process deterred those discussions.

I've been with my current employer for just over one year. For a variety of reasons, I began job hunting. My boss started with the company two months ago, and he discussed changes in the department, including longer hours for both of us during the transition. I had my complaints, and now this. In this small department, I'm a key part of this process. Do I initiate discussions? I don't know where to begin.

At a Loss



A: A sincere management team could have renegotiated with you to persuade you to stay. Communicate your plans to your current boss and prepare for the very real possibility of being fired on the spot. Some matters are too private to disclose at work.



'DO'

Q: I have an excellent background in marketing, advertising and communications. I moved to a large city and have been looking for a position for a year. I apply with personalized resumes and well-written cover letters, then follow up on all job inquiries. I've joined local networking groups, volunteered with organizations I'm interested in and used LinkedIn and other online networking groups to cultivate leads. Despite several job interviews, I remain unemployed. I'm energetic with a strong work ethic and meet the job requirements of positions for which I'm applying. I'm a healthy, gray-haired, 59-year-old woman. Any suggestions on how to land a job?

Missing Out



A: You wouldn't have mentioned your hair if you didn't think that it might possibly be the problem. Color it and see if it makes a difference. Remember that the three fields you've mentioned project a youthful image. Or don't, and hunt in industries where older workers who don't mind looking mature are already working.

On the substantive side, think about whether your follow-ups uncovered any clues. Are you offering to obtain some of your own clients? Go out and get a few. A little portfolio never hurt anyone. See how money talks.



CUSTOMERS

Turning around flaming customers requires ingenuity. Look at how Kevin Hart (managedsystems.com) did it.

Hart was sitting at a table with a client with technology problems. The man was flanked by his administrative staff; Hart, by his tech team. After five minutes of listening to the man's characteristic screaming and cursing, Hart and his team needed three Excedrin.

"I was thinking of ways to break this cycle," Hart says. "So I decided to appeal to his ego. I told him that I thought his take on the problem was wrong. As if on cue, he asked if I wanted to bet; so I slapped $20 on the table. His staff was flabbergasted, because no one had ever called him on it."

Hart knew he'd lose, but he suggested that the two go into the man's office, where he put the $20 bill on the table. "As he sat down to prove his point," Hart explains, "I told him to stop and take the money."

Surprised, the man asked, "So why did you bet if you knew you were going to lose?" Hart told him he knew the client would accept the money, but that he wasn't going to let him belittle his team.

The guy got it and, for $20, Hart kept a client, who turned out to be a good one.



E-mail your job-hunting questions to Dr. Mildred Culp at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2008 Passage Media.