Readers: Dr. Randall Hansen, a nationally recognized career expert, is the Career Doctor.
Discover more about Dr. Hansen, read about the purpose of this column,
and find previous issues of this column at the home of The Career Doctor.
Dr. Hansen writes this column on a biweekly basis. If you have any college, career, or job-related questions or comments that Dr. Hansen could
provide valuable assistance with, please
feel free to email him at: careerdr@quintcareers.com.
Mark writes:
I'm part of a large corporation that is splurging on a hotel banquet and ballroom for their
holiday party. The company is sufficiently large that not everyone is invited and not
everyone will be going. I've been invited, I'm single and would be going alone so I'm a
little uncomfortable with that. I've also got 20+ years with the company and hope to
retire in 4-5 years so climbing the corporate ladder is not a priority.
What is your advice, should I go or not worry about and do what I want?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
While it’s a little late in the season, I still want to take the time to answer this question.
As studies continue to show that more companies are celebrating the season with their
employees -- and spending more when doing so -- it’s important to address this issue.
Yours is an interesting case since you are near the end of your career, but because 5
years is a long way away and you just never know what is going to happen between now
and then, I am not going to let you off the hook. Especially since not every employee was
invited, my advice would be to attend the event. Go, track down some of your co-workers,
enjoy their company, embrace the holiday cheer, thank the boss, and then duck out after
a reasonable amount of time. You do not need to spend the entire evening there -- just
make enough of an appearance.
Holiday office parties are seen by management as a reward to their staff, so not to go is
an affront to them. But to all you bosses out there reading this column, please, please,
do not confuse the office party with a sales conference. We do not want any long speeches
or shoptalk. Everyone should be there to have fun and celebrate the holidays.
Office parties can be a good time to network and be seen, so take advantage of that, but
be careful of talking too much about yourself.
You also want to avoid other excesses. Avoid drinking too much. Avoid eating too much.
And avoid making a fool of yourself. You do NOT want to be that person everyone is
talking about for weeks after the party.
Mary writes:
CareerDoctor: How do most employers feel about promotion from within with on-the-job-experience,
and/or/combination of experience with educational degrees? Thanks for any advice you can provide.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Many employers would much rather promote from within because the people they
are considering for the new position are known to management. When companies
recruit new employees from outside the company they always risk hiring someone
who does well in the job interview but then performs horribly on the job.
Some career experts say that the day you start a new job you should begin planning
for your next job/promotion.
So, if you are looking to position yourself for a promotion, take heart knowing that if y
ou have done well in your current position -- and have been in it long enough -- that you
should seriously be considered for the new position.
Some quick tips for you as you devise your plan for the promotion:
talk it over with your mentor
quantify your accomplishments
ask for more responsibilities
acquire new knowledge and skills
be a team player
create your own opportunities
And remember: even if the company does not promote you for this position, you will
have made your case and shown your initiative, creativity, and value to the firm -- and
these things can only help you the next time you request or apply for a promotion.
And don’t forget to review all the workplace
resources we have available on Quintessential Careers.
Q:
Nanci writes:
What is the best way to go about re-applying for a job at a company I left four years
ago? I left on very good terms and always got good reviews. Downside is the
company put a lot of money into my relocation package and I am afraid that they
will be worried I will leave again. I thought the grass was greener but I realize now
what a great company they were and I want back in. Any suggestions?
Thanks! I wanna go back!
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
In the past, I would have told you that you were out of luck. Employers didn’t like to hire
back employees who chose to leave on their own -- no matter how good they were. But
times have changed, as has the workforce, and these days employers are much more
willing to give top-notch former employees a second chance.
Assuming you have kept in contact with a few of your former co-workers or boss, I would
start there. Even better, if you have a mentor who still works there. If you have not kept in
touch with anyone, then your job is going to be a little harder. Your situation is a good
reminder to everyone reading that you always want to stay in touch with former co-workers
because you never know when some situation such as this one will arise.
Ask about your reputation at the company. Is it as good as you think or are you seen
as a traitor for abandoning the firm? If you do still have a good buzz around the office,
the next step would be to have someone float the idea of you coming back and see
how management reacts. This tactic is best handled at a staff meeting or some regular
kind of gathering. If the reaction is neutral or better, then you have your answer to
proceed; if there is a strong negative reaction, it’s probably best to move on.
Q:
Robert writes:
I know somebody who is posing as a professor at a university. At least I think
he is. All he has is a B.S. degree in English, but he is lecturing at a class, and
the local news covered it. He portrayed himself as a "professor" but I have serious
doubts since he posts no education to indicate any doctorates or other teaching
credentials to prove it.
What are the correct or minimal credentials needed for someone to call themselves
a "professor"? I don't want to take a class and either do any of my friends who
think some of their "professors" aren't actually qualified to teach. This problem
seems to be larger than anyone thinks.
The rumor is that colleges are hiring people of limited skill for less money, and allowing
themselves to call themselves "professors". How can a student know for sure that the
person teaching them is qualified as a professor?
Thank you so much for your answer. I just want to know what to look for to decide if
my "teacher" is a "professor" or just a fake.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Yours is certainly an unusual question, and a great one to end with as I wanted to
let you know, my dear readers, that I am taking a break from writing this column. I
have responded to hundreds and hundreds of you, helping as many of you as I
could with my practical and sage advice. But with a book project looming and a
sabbatical from teaching upon me, I am taking steps to simplify my life.
As for what it takes to be called a professor? It takes someone with the heart, mind,
and passion to tackle the awesome responsibility of educating the future leaders of
our society. I have always seen my career as a professor as a calling, and I know
many of my colleagues feel the same way.
At most four-year schools, full-time faculty hold terminal degrees -- doctoral degrees.
However, in certain situations -- usually with part-time faculty -- colleges and universities
make exceptions and hire faculty who may not have a graduate degree but who have
certifications and much experience in their field.
Who has the right to call themselves a professor? Anyone who teaches at the college
level -- whether they be a lecturer, instructor, part-time or full-time, PhD. or otherwise.
Lead great lives -- and remember to market yourself at your job and as you look for
your next one.
