Caution: Tell your Boss Anything

This new service is a minefield. One you would be wise to stay away from.

According to the website, the ultimate goal is to, “encourage useful discussion that resolves difficult workplace issues. We provide a safe environment in which to do that.”

However, safe doesn’t necessarily mean completely anonymous. The site claims, “Unless required to by law, we will not reveal your identity.”

The service, as noted in this LifeHacker.com article, might reveal the sender. “The catch? Tell Your Boss Anything flags messages with violent phrases or cursing, and if a manager flags a message because it’s abusive, Tell Your Boss Anything might reveal your identity. Keep a level-head if you decide to fire off an email to your boss.”

If you’re going to be level-headed, why not have a conversation with your boss instead? Not to mention, if you’re in a small department or have a unique writing style you’ll be giving yourself away.

Application Follow up

How to follow up on your Recent Job Application By Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle ipad showing job application held by two hands

A recent LinkedIn post from the HAPPO – Help A PR Pro Out group (great group for those interested in or employed in Public Relations) reiterated that not all job applicants are well versed in the skillful follow-up from the application. Most people know to send at minimum a thank you note after an interview, but what about before the interview?

Instead of just waiting after applying, find a way to follow up. The key to this is knowing who you sent your application to. Find a name, email address and phone number. Email is the best option, but if you only have a phone number that will do.

A good rule of thumb, as indicated in the HAPPO post reply, is to wait a week. That means a full seven days. If the job posting says no phone calls, follow that directive and send an email instead. If it strictly says no follow-ups, find another reason to contact the person, such as a recently published article relevant to the position. There is a fine line between assertive and over the top. Don’t be over the top.

This article from US News suggests the easiest way to not be over the top is to find a way to reiterate your interest without being annoying. The example the article shares is, “I submitted my application for your __ position last week, and I just wanted to make sure my materials were received. I also want to reiterate my interest in the position; I think it might be a great match, and I’d love to talk with you about it when you’re ready to begin scheduling interviews.”

Don’t demand an immediate response, the article advises. How do you follow up on applications?

Meeting for Meetings Sake

Image from: http://www.chworkspace.co.uk
I’m learning that there are some people who just love meetings. Every other suggestion is, “let’s have a meeting about this!”

While I truly believe in making sure everyone involved is on the same page, I don’t think it is necessary to have a meeting about every single topic or just because that time has already been blocked aside for a meeting. A simple phone call, email or face-to-face encounter can have better results than a staff-wide meeting.

I’ve been lucky enough to have supervisors who recognize the runaway meeting trait in others and kindly quash it before it gets out of control. These supervisors have understood that just because we have a regular Monday morning meeting, does not mean we have to have a Monday morning meeting every Monday, especially if nothing has changed.

Meetings can give the illusion of productivity, but in reality are often just wasted time keeping employees from accomplishing real work.

How do you feel about meetings?