Author Archives: colleen.clarke
Thinking about a job change?: Confront ageism, turn experience to your advantage
By Colleen Clarke Administrative Assistants’s Update, Professional Development for Canada’s Office Support Staff: September 2018 You have been through every conceivable business process change over the last 40 or so years. You are flexible, adaptable, communicate well, can book travel arrangements as well as any travel agent, edit reports almost as well as a journalism […]
Read MoreAs a female professional, I am earning more than a female peer for the same work. What should I do?
NINE TO FIVE: SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL: JULY 8, 2018 THE QUESTION As a female engineer I recently started with a company that matched my previous salary of $90,000. A co-worker with similar qualifications is doing the same work and making $60,000. She asked me what I was making; I lied and said […]
Read MoreThe company is increasing my hours while offering no further pay. What are my options?
NINE TO FIVE: MAY 13, 2018 THE QUESTION I am currently being paid hourly, amounting to $1,350 on a 37.5 hour week. I have worked for my current employer about 15 months. Following a buyout of our company, amalgamation has started and, last week, my manager told me that in January, 2019, the work week […]
Read MoreA more junior co-worker in the same role is earning more than me. What can I do?
NINE TO FIVE: SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL | Published March 4, 2018 THE QUESTION I have been with a company for seven years, but an employee who has been there less than two years is making more money than I am. We both are classified under the same job. There are plenty of […]
Read MoreI want to compete with my boss for a promotion. How should I handle it?
NINE TO FIVE: SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL | Published January 21, 2018 THE QUESTION A position for an operations director has opened and I would like to apply for it. I currently report to an operations manager who reports to the now vacant operations director. The operations manager, my direct supervisor, is also […]
Read MoreAfter a restructuring, I was denied the chance to move to a new position. Is management sending me a signal?
SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL: NINE TO FIVE: DECEMBER 10, 2017 THE QUESTION When the company named me a team lead 1 1/2 years ago, I was told that when the number of direct reports justify it, I would receive a promotion to a higher role as operations manager. But following a recent restructuring […]
Read MoreAm I entitled to severance if my hours are reduced?
Nine To Five: Special to The Globe and Mail, Published October 22, 2017 THE QUESTION I have worked as a technician for a medical company for more than 25 years. Over the past three years, my hours have been steadily reduced and I now get maybe 10 hours every couple of weeks. When I ask, […]
Read MoreInterviews Are Telling Not Selling
“Interviews are broken and many candidates take broken interviews and break them even more.” Eric Kramer, ‘Active Interviewing’ When Pierre was asked to explain why he was fired from his last job, he blamed the company for his inappropriate behavior. A caller phoned in to a radio show I was guesting on to ask if […]
Read MoreMy employer says I’m aggressive. How do I negotiate a raise?
Globe & Mail – 9 to 5 – Sunday, September 10, 2017 THE QUESTION I work in a large corporation with more than 25,000 employees and moved from Vancouver to Toronto 18 months ago to gain more visibility and to climb the corporate ladder. Employees here often go on extended coffee breaks and assignments are […]
Read MoreHow can I find a qualified, reputable career coach?
Nine To Five: Special to The Globe and Mail, Published July 16, 2017 THE QUESTION From my online searches, it doesn’t seem that career coaching is a regulated, professional designation. How do you know if they are reputable and qualified to provide advice? Is there a registry or a rating system, as with financial services? […]
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