Confront Boss About Perks
Q: A year ago, I moved from an hourly paid data-entry job to a salaried sales rep position in the same company. I was promised perks, but I haven’t received any. I’ve been working approximately 45-hour weeks without overtime pay. In my previous job, I would have received overtime. What can I do?
A: Your job was not simply changed from hourly to salaried; you made a career change, and presumably to a better position.
Since you have worked as a sales rep for the past year, it’s time for you to meet with your boss to review your performance and the job itself.
During your discussion, ask about the specific perks your boss had originally mentioned. Sales reps may receive perks such as bonuses, in addition to their commissions, company cars and expense accounts, but sales positions vary. If there are no perks, decide whether you like sales enough to stay in it. If so, you may want to look for a sales position with another company.
Focus on resume’s content, not how it gets there
Q: I’m job hunting again and have many questions. Which is the best way to reply to an ad - by mail, fax or e-mail? My resume is laser-printed on good paper stock and I send it with a cover letter. If I fax it, I’m leery of how clear it will look, how many others will see it and whether the right person receives it. With e-mail, many of the highlights are lost - bold type, italics and bullets. If I send it as an attachment, should I send a cover letter? I also wonder whether it ever gets deleted? Because my field is computer information systems, I feel pressured to show that I am up with the new technology.
A: Most ads tell job applicants whether they should mail, fax or e-mail their resumes. But you are right about e-mail losing the formatting and details, so if it makes you feel more secure, mail it in addition to e-mailing it. The clarity of a fax copy depends on the resume’s presentation. The ideal resume is in an 11-point font so that it is readable. If it’s clear in person, you can rest assured that the fax will be clear enough for the interviewer to read.
If you want something important to worry about, focus on the resume’s content and your ability to sell yourself. That’s what will determine whether your resume makes a lasting impression.
`Have cat, won’t travel’ gets worker suspended
Q: I’ve worked for the federal government for 14 years. I have never done any overnight travel in those 14 years, even though my job description states “occasional travel.” Six months ago, my supervisor wanted me to go to New Jersey for three days of meetings. I refused because I have no one to take care of my cat if I go away, and was suspended without pay for two weeks. Last week, my supervisor reassigned me without my consent to another position that requires 25 percent travel. If I refuse to travel in this new job, I most certainly will be terminated. If I resign due to this involuntary reassignment, will I receive unemployment?
A: Don’t worry about unemployment just yet. Quitting your job is just what your supervisor wants. Don’t do it. But understand that refusing to travel for three days because of a cat sounds like a weak excuse. For a nominal fee, you can hire a professional cat sitter who will take on that responsibility. No one, though, should be transferred to a job he or she doesn’t want. Your supervisor could be setting you up to fire you or to get you to quit. Ask for an immediate meeting with human resources to discuss this involuntary transfer.