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Career Q&A:

 
Published May 22, 2018

Q: Despite having a stellar employment record, I am concerned about two incidents mentioned during my recent performance review. Both involved accusations which were completely unfair.

Several months ago, our human resources manager told me that I was suspected of harassing another employee. She refused to reveal the nature of the offense or the person's name, but said there would be an investigation. This didn't worry me because I have never harassed anyone.

After that discussion, I was never contacted again. However, during my review, my manager indicated that HR had informed him about this allegation. He gave me a lecture about proper workplace conduct even though I had done nothing wrong.

The second problem occurred when another group requested my help with a project. Because they were being billed for my time, they initially planned to use me for only 20 hours. After I discovered some major flaws, however, the project manager said to take all the time I needed. During my review, I was told that he had complained about the extra charges.

Although these events didn't lower my performance rating, I'm afraid they may have harmed my reputation with my manager. How can I avoid such problems in the future?

A: "Never surprise your boss" is an old saying that provides excellent advice. This adage simply means that you should always give your manager a heads-up about problematic or disturbing developments. This not only keeps the boss from being blindsided, but also allows you to control how negative news is delivered.

In both these situations, you neglected to share important information with your manager. As a result, you missed the opportunity to provide your version of events before others offered theirs. Because people's perceptions are usually shaped by the first account they hear, you automatically placed yourself at a disadvantage.

Research first

Q: Although I have worked in business for many years, I would like to become an academic adviser at the university level. As an undergraduate, I enjoyed tutoring people, and I have also done volunteer work with high school students. How should I go about starting this new career?

A: Because radical transitions seldom happen overnight, such a dramatic change requires a "stepping stone" approach. Just as you might plot your steps to safely cross a river, so you must identify a logical sequence of events to shift from one career to another.

For example, one initial strategy involves using current skills to obtain a position in the desired setting. So if your background is in accounting, you might look for a position in a university finance department. By successfully transitioning to the academic world, you've moved one step closer to your goal.

But before making any permanent changes, take time to thoroughly understand your preferred field. Explore educational requirements, research possible employers, and talk with academic advisers. Before crossing this river, you need to be sure that you'll be happier on the other side.

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