job & interview

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview

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4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview</h1>
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How to make a lasting impression and leave all bridges intact.</h2>
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Your reputation will follow you everywhere, so be professional to the end. Stay calm, cool and collected during your last meeting.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Ah, the exit interview. It’s often overlooked by eager former employees looking to</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/10/how-to-quit-your-job-in-style" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/10/how-to-quit-your-job-in-style">get the heck out</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">and start their new employment elsewhere. At some companies, the interview may be via an automated phone call or website. At other places, it's a good old-fashioned sit-down meeting.</span></div>
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Whatever the format, you’re making one lasting impression on your employer. In turn, there’s always the possibility you may end up returning to work for the company at some point in the future. Boomerangs, as they say in the human resources world, aren’t uncommon. While there aren’t statistics to reflect the number of rehires, it’s not entirely surprising to return to a former employer.</div>
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For starters, the grass is always greener. Your new job may seem like rainbows and ponies at first, only to quickly become worse than your former role. Also, new jobs, roles and responsibilities may emerge at your former employer as people move on. Plus, if you were <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/30/how-to-move-on-from-a-dead-end-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/30/how-to-move-on-from-a-dead-end-job">stuck in a dead end</a>, perhaps new opportunities will emerge going forward. In any event, it’s not unheard of to return to your old stomping grounds.</div>
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With social media, it’s easier for recruiters to track down and contact former employees. For employers, it’s considerably less money to bring rehires on board, because they presumably only need to quickly relearn the corporate culture and new role. Plus, it may be in the best interest for a former employee to return for a better role and bigger salary.</div>
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Whatever the case, when you leave, keep in mind that you’re not shutting the door forever. You’re just shutting it for now. Here are four tips to keep in mind during that last official interaction.</div>
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<b>1. Be professional.</b> If you feel like you’ve been wronged by the company – whether <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/11/19/4-bounce-back-steps-to-take-after-being-laid-off" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/11/19/4-bounce-back-steps-to-take-after-being-laid-off">you’ve been laid off</a> during a downsize or you’ve decided to leave on your own terms – maintain utmost professionalism, even if this means gritting your teeth as you express thanks for working there. Your reputation will follow you wherever you go, so don’t let this last interaction tarnish it. That means no profanity, no threats, no ill will and no vengeance.</div>
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There’s no need to get overly emotional either. You wouldn’t break down into tears or be overly exuberant during a job interview, would you? Treat this the same way. Be calm, cool and collected.</div>
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<b>2. Use your judgment.</b> If the former employer asks about why you’re leaving or if you would have changed anything, put the situation in perspective. If you encountered a situation with an unfair boss or a <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/05/how-to-deal-with-a-bad-performance-review" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">ruthless performance review</a> that you already addressed with human resources, you can simply say: “previous unresolved issues.” There’s no need to re-explain it in detail.</div>
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On the other hand, now is the chance to feel liberated, too. If there was a minor issue, make a suggestion like: “I wish the help desk was more responsive, because it was challenging when unresolved tech issues interfered with my work.”</div>
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<b>3. Pick your battles.</b> When speaking up, you may feel like a weight has been lifted or that you’ve finally been able to articulate a major shortcoming at the organization. But that said, keep in mind that it’s highly unlikely anything will change if you try to help your former colleagues in the same dire situation that prompted your resignation. (<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">Unethical boss</a>, anyone?) Sure, there are exceptions, but on the whole, the issue you bring up will be overlooked. That’s the harsh reality.</div>
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In fact, the employer may view your note as a complaint or grievance, which won't help you in your career. Just know that you’re moving onto brighter and better pastures. Keep the exit interview short and sweet, and keep looking forward.</div>
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<b>4. Be positive.</b> End on a high note, and make a point to say how much you learned and grew in the position. You can talk about where the company is heading and its philosophy (if you’re on board with it). You can also mention a few things you will fondly remember, whether it’s projects you enjoyed or amazing co-workers. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/09/4-ways-to-ace-the-exit-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview

4 Ways to Ace the Exit Interview How to make a lasting impression and leave all bridges intact. Your reputation will follow you everyw...

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues

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Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues</h1>
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It's still possible to find fulfillment at work when your supervisor is a moron.</h2>
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Cheer up, hard worker, and change your perspective on your boss and work environment.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Two common mantras in our culture today are: “I hate my job” and “My boss is a jerk.” While both statements may be true, hating your job because your boss is a jerk isn’t going to lead anywhere good.</span></div>
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According to Gallup, more than half of the U.S. workforce (or about 70 million employees) either are just<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare">enduring their job</a> or actively hate where they work. With that level of dissatisfaction, it's no surprise that we hear so many negative comments – either in personal conversations, through social media or the mainstream media. In other words, If you don’t like your job, welcome to the club.</div>
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Here are two reasons why concluding “My boss is a jerk” (or even “major jerk”) won’t help things for you at work.</div>
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<b>1. I</b><b>t's easy to label others and be vague.</b> When we label others with vague pejorative terms – which seems to be common in our culture – it absolves us of any responsibility to do anything. “She’s an idiot” and “What a _____ [fill in the term]” are similar. You’ve called the person a name, but now what?</div>
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Let’s assume your boss <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say">acts like a jerk</a> at times. What does that really mean?</div>
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What has he or she done that you disagree with?</div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">Is it the decisions he or she has made?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she makes decisions?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she communicates with you?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How he or she treats others?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">How decisions are implemented (or not)?</li>
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Only when we identify the specific actions or behaviors that irritate, offend or hurt us can we then develop a plan of action to deal with them. If another person’s actions affect you negatively (especially repeatedly), then it may be good for you to figure out how you're going to respond. Options may include ignoring them, talking to them or minimizing contact. But leaving it at "he's a jerk” gives you no plan of action.</div>
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One of the problems in talking together with others about this without identifying the specific action is that you know where you are coming from, what you have been thinking about and the purpose of the conversation. However, the other person often has no clue. When you start talking, it can take the other person a while to figure out why you're sharing what you have and what you want from him or her in response.</div>
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<b>2. You can still enjoy your work even if your boss is difficult and has significant weaknesses</b><b><i>.</i></b>While we know that a person’s relationship with his or her direct supervisor is influential, it's not the only factor. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014">Your job</a> also entails one or more of the following:</div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">the tasks you're supposed to accomplish</li>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">potential customers</li>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">vendors or suppliers</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">other interactions with the community at large</li>
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So focus on these aspects of your work. Do the best at what you do. Learn and grow in your skills. Figure out what your customers need and want and do your best to serve them well. Find positive co-workers and hang out with them. Be positive and energetic in the interactions you have with others.</div>
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Also, remember that your boss almost certainly has some <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/08/21/5-sales-skills-everyone-needs-in-the-workplace" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/08/21/5-sales-skills-everyone-needs-in-the-workplace">beneficial skills</a>, strengths, knowledge or character qualities – it is unlikely that he or she is a total moron that has evil intent. He or she is probably quite different from you in many ways, but those differences can be beneficial to your organization.</div>
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Bringing a positive attitude to your job actually helps you enjoy your work more. So, do what you can to see some positives in your current job. If you can’t think of anything, compare yourself to those who don’t have safe water to drink and whose sole task each day is getting food for themselves and their family.<i></i></div>
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The single best thing that you can do<i> </i>to improve the likelihood of having a great work day is to have a daily attitude of gratitude.<i> </i>Research has repeatedly shown that people who have a positive, grateful attitude for their work actually enjoy their work more.</div>
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Yes, your boss may be a jerk. But you can only make <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-10-best-times-to-switch-jobs">your daily experience</a> at work better if you get past that vague conclusion and begin to focus on what you can do in the situation. (And remember: he or she may be saying the same thing about you.)</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/combating-the-my-boss-is-a-jerk-blues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues

Combating the 'My-Boss-Is-a-Jerk' Blues It's still possible to find fulfillment at work when your supervisor is a moron. C...

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do

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8 Things New Employees Should Never Do</h1>
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Complaining about your old boss or taking long lunches may be fine later – but not now.</h2>
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Telling bawdy jokes, asking for vacation time and spending time on Facebook are bad moves for newbies.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">When you’re</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare" style="color: #005ea6; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/06/12/congrats-your-new-job-is-a-nightmare">new to a job</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">, you’re subject to a whole different set of rules than you are once you’ve been there longer. Co-workers don’t know you well yet, so small behaviors can carry more weight. Actions that might go unnoticed six months down the road can raise concerns about your work ethic, reliability and judgment.</span></div>
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Here are eight things that you shouldn’t do when you’re new to the job – but that are OK to do later.</div>
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<b>1. Asking for vacation time during your first few months. </b>In most cases, taking time off soon after starting a job will raise eyebrows. Your manager is likely to think, “She just started, she’s still being trained and she already wants time off?” Exceptions to this are if a close family member is seriously ill or if you cleared the time off before accepting the job.</div>
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<b>2. Complaining to your co-workers about your new boss.</b> Frankly, it’s not great to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/05/how-to-complain-about-a-co-worker" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">complain to your co-workers</a> about your boss no matter how long you’re been at your job – but when you’re new, it comes across as especially tone-deaf. Even co-workers who aren’t your manager’s biggest fans are likely to be put off by it, simply because complaining so early on signals that you’re likely to be a prima donna who doesn’t even settle in before finding fault. Similarly …</div>
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<b>3. Bad-mouthing your old job or old boss.</b> Once they know you better, your new co-workers might be thrilled to hear your war stories about your crazy former boss or your nightmare cubicle-mate at your old job. But if you share that stuff when you’re new, you’ll just come across as someone willing to bad-mouth colleagues. People are more likely to think, “Wow, that’s going to be us she’s talking about one day.” Wait until you know each other better before you break out the work horror stories.</div>
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<b>4. Taking long lunches before you know the lunch culture of your new workplace. </b>This sometimes trips up people coming from a workplace where hourlong lunches were the norm and are moving to an office where people take half an hour or simply eat at their desks. When you’re starting a new job, it’s smart to observe the <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">lunch culture</a> for a few days until you have a feel for your new office’s norms. It’s also fine to ask a co-worker, “What do people normally do for lunch?”</div>
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<b>5. Pushing the envelope on business expenses. </b>As the new guy, there’s no faster way to torpedo your reputation than asking to stay at a more expensive hotel during business travel or rent a nicer car. Once you’ve established yourself as a great employee, you might be able to get away with arguing the merits of these things – but if you try it as a new employee, it will define you in a way that will hurt you.</div>
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<b>6. Using bawdy humor. </b>It might never be OK to do this in your workplace, but there are certainly some offices that have a higher tolerance for risqué humor than others. However, if you plunge right in without getting to know your new co-workers better, you risk alienating and offending people if you’ve read them wrong. Wait until you have a much better feel for your new <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/06/10/how-to-tell-if-a-company-culture-will-be-a-bad-fit" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/06/10/how-to-tell-if-a-company-culture-will-be-a-bad-fit">office’s culture</a> before breaking out even borderline jokes. Even at that point, proceed with caution. Just because you’ve seen one person doing it doesn’t mean that everyone else is comfortable with it.</div>
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<b>7. Spending time on Facebook or other social sites.</b> Once you’ve proven yourself as someone who works hard and produces high-quality work, it might be entirely fine to take the occasional Facebook break. But when you’re new on the job, being spotted on time-wasting sites is likely to make your co-workers – and especially your manager – worry about your work ethic.</div>
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<b>8. Calling in sick during your first month, unless it’s truly dire. </b>Rightly or wrongly, if you <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-reasons-to-fight-the-flu-from-your-bed-not-your-cubicle" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">call in sick</a> while you’re new on the job, your manager is likely to worry that it’s going to be the start of pattern and that you’re not reliable. Of course, if you’re truly sick and especially if you’re contagious, you might have no choice. In that case, you should make it clear that it’s an unusual occurrence. It doesn’t hurt to add, “I’m mortified that this happened during my first month.” The idea is that you want to reassure your new manager that this isn’t the first of many absences.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/18/8-things-new-employees-should-never-do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do

8 Things New Employees Should Never Do Complaining about your old boss or taking long lunches may be fine later – but not now. Telling...

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media

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Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media</h1>
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Why a face-to-face discussion trumps a tweet.</h2>
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Unplug! Social media is important, but in-person interactions go a long way toward building meaningful connections.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Of course that got your attention. For a fleeting moment, let's imagine a world without Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. It's a predigital age, if you will, in which emails didn’t rule the roost, and fax machines – the type with shiny paper bound to curl after a fax was sent – were heavily relied upon. A world full of typewriter ribbons, Wite-Out and snail mail résumés sent to personnel departments …</span></div>
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OK, now let’s get to the <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/how-to-become-a-networking-superstar" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/how-to-become-a-networking-superstar">brass tactics of networking</a>! Emails and tweets are fine, but when you want to crank relationships up to several levels deeper and gain more meaningful connections for the long-term, nothing beats old-fashioned face time. Here are five strategies to accomplish this:</div>
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<b>1. Go offline.</b> Yes, you can and should still update your profile on LinkedIn and "like" relevant posts on Facebook. But if you’re relying entirely on technology for self-branding and networking, you’re missing the boat. Go offline, and attend industry events and professional mixers. Even if it’s not work-related, get out of the office, car or home and into the gym, place of worship or book club. Dust off those social skills, and get a sense for someone’s body language, energy and <i>joie de vivre.</i> And most importantly, get a sense of your own. Let’s repeat: Go offline.</div>
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While technology is excellent in many ways, it’s also a false sense of security regarding interaction. You may have connected with 20 people at the office before noon, only to realize you didn’t actually speak to anyone – including that co-worker in the next cubicle. And when there’s a disagreement about budgets, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/10-annoying-email-habits-to-break-today" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/10-annoying-email-habits-to-break-today">squabbling over email</a> won’t nip it in the bud. Whether you want to propel relationships, look for a new job or resolve an outstanding issue, nothing beats speaking in-person or on the phone.</div>
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<b>2. Take initiative to meet.</b> Let’s say you connect with a new industry professional on Twitter who lives only 30 minutes away and is in the same line of work. You write: “We should grab coffee someday. It would be great to meet in person!”</div>
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Guess what? "Someday" is this month! Reach out and have a conversation, even if you’re not <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/how-to-get-the-job-by-thinking-like-a-hiring-manager" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/how-to-get-the-job-by-thinking-like-a-hiring-manager">looking for a job</a>. Extend that branch, make a new friend and expand upon your budding relationship. Building it can include social media, but in order to solidify a foundation, nothing should replace face time. And if geography is an issue, schedule a call via Skype or phone, so you at least connect a voice to the person’s name and avatar.</div>
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<b>3. Make a plan, and commit to it.</b> Whether it’s two coffee meetings per month or one lunch and two phone calls, it’s all good. Set realistic goals, and stick to them. Yes, we’re always busy, but the best time to build relationships and foster them is when we’re not frantically looking for a job. Simply check in to see how someone’s doing and how you can help him or her. Even if it’s reconnecting with a former boss internally, contact him or her to schedule a lunch date. It’s so easy and simple, and yet it's often overlooked.</div>
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<b>4. Set a timer.</b> It’s going to be challenging to ignore social media altogether, but you can always set limitations with a timer. Figure out what time of day you will go online, whether it’s a quick break <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break">during lunchtime</a> or right before you head out of the office at night. Be consistent and fast. Devouring blogs for 15 minutes is one thing, but two hours and 15 minutes of it is quite another.</div>
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<b>5.</b> <b>Evaluate relationships.</b> If you and a former colleague consistently comment on each other’s Facebook updates and send each other articles on Twitter, ask yourself when you last had an actual conversation with that person. Even a text message to say "hello"? You don’t have to stop tweeting articles, but you do need to revive that relationship.</div>
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The best way to do so is on the phone or in person. Even if it’s just 15 minutes, check in with him or her. Evaluate your online relationships as they exist – or don't, in many cases – in offline situations. if you crossed paths on the street, would you recognize this person's face but not his or her name? You know what he or she reads and comments on, but do you know what he or she does <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">for a living</a> and how you can tap into his or her network? Be selective. You don’t have to connect with all 200 of your followers (and certainly not 2,000), but even two is a start in the right direction.</div>
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Yes, potential employers and you evaluate each other's online profiles. But typically, leaders decide to hire candidates after they met with them in person. They want to find out: Will you fit in with the team, do you have fire in your belly and do you lead by example?</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/23/want-to-bolster-professional-relationships-ignore-social-media" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media

Want to Bolster Professional Relationships? Ignore Social Media Why a face-to-face discussion trumps a tweet. Unplug! Social media is ...

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker

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7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker</h1>
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Don't let anyone bring down your workplace productivity or happiness.</h2>
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Shut down a perpetual pessimist by explaining that you like your job and are happy at the company.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Do you feel exhausted the second you walk into your office in the morning? Do you sometimes come home from work feeling completely and utterly</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/27/the-best-cures-for-workplace-stress" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/27/the-best-cures-for-workplace-stress">emotionally drained</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">?</span></div>
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If it’s not the work itself or the job that’s bringing you down, it could be one of your co-workers. Let’s be honest: All of us at one time or another have brought personal issues into the office. The problem starts when personal issues affect the person’s work or the work of colleagues.</div>
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There is another type of co-worker: one who is unhappy with his or her job and shows it in a negative way each and every day. This fosters an extremely negative work environment. The question becomes: How can we handle toxic co-workers so that our work is not interrupted and we are not emotionally taxed at the end of every day?</div>
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<b>1. Set time limits. </b>Offer a moment of sympathy – and no more than that. Unless “psychiatrist” or “psychologist” is in your job title, it’s not your responsibility to boost someone’s mood at work. You can offer to listen for five minutes or simply explain that you’re <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/16/6-signs-you-have-too-much-on-your-plate" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/16/6-signs-you-have-too-much-on-your-plate">overloaded with work</a>, trying to meet a deadline or that nature is calling (even if it isn’t).</div>
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<b>2. Don’t engage.</b> It can be hard, but try to refrain from offering advice on a personal matter or comparing it to something you’ve been through. This will only encourage further discussion. You can simply say: “I’m sorry to hear that.” If you’re talking to a colleague who is dissatisfied with work, try not to agree, because that will likely egg him or her on.</div>
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<b>3. Keep it professional. </b>If you must interact regularly because you work closely together, develop clear agendas for meetings and have a set end time. Otherwise, you run the risk of having a gripe session. Stay on professional topics only. If it veers off course, change the subject back to the work topic at hand.</div>
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<b>4. Dive into work. </b>There are those who like to come to your office or desk and chat incessantly. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/10/01/8-ways-to-destroy-workplace-distractions" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">This is distracting</a> and can add time to your day. Politely tell your colleague that you need to finish work on time, and you must get back to the grind.</div>
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<b>5. Throw it back.</b> When you are dealing with the perpetual pessimist, tell him or her why you like your job and why you are happy at the company. Eventually, he or she should get the hint that you’re not on his or her side and therefore not the best person to complain to.</div>
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<b>6. Create deterrents. </b>If you have a door, close it several times a day, and place a sign on it that simply states: “Please do not disturb – tight deadline” or “On an important call.” You can have several prepared that you rotate. It’s tougher if you’re in an <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/12/04/how-to-survive-in-an-open-plan-office" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/12/04/how-to-survive-in-an-open-plan-office">open plan office</a> or have a cubicle. If you work well listening to music and can get away with it at your office, wear headphones. There are many co-workers who will still think it's OK to come up and tap you on the shoulder, but it should deter some. You can also consider putting a sign and letter holder on your desk or cubicle wall that explains you’re busy with work and asks people to leave a note for you to respond to later. Again, this is not going to solve the problem completely, but it could save you some drama.</div>
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<b>7. Confront the problem head on.</b> If you feel comfortable doing so, it may be worthwhile to tell the person you cannot listen to his or her issues anymore. Explain why you cannot engage with him or her on personal matters anymore, perhaps because chatting a lot at work translates into <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/how-to-set-boundaries-at-work-so-you-can-have-a-life" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">longer hours</a>, disruption of your concentration or missed deadlines. This probably won’t work well with someone you work very closely with all the time. In that case, it would be preferable to involve a superior in the conversation. </div>
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These co-workers are in every office of every profession, and we will probably never be able to escape them. However, there are ways to lessen and possibly eliminate the burden. Many people could be more productive during the workday and not work long hours if it weren’t for personal chats or complaint sessions. If you want to be at work to work and hightail it out of there on time, limit your interaction with toxic co-workers. It is completely exhausting to deal with your own workload, your co-workers’ job issues and their personal life. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/02/7-ways-to-deal-with-a-toxic-co-worker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker

7 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-Worker Don't let anyone bring down your workplace productivity or happiness. Shut down a perpetual ...

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