Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Not all jobs turn out to be the luscious bed of rose petals we hoped they would be. Sometimes, jobs end downright badly.
A number of factors can contribute to one’s professional demise: not getting along with co-workers, average to abysmal work performance, tardiness, insubordination, blogging while at work - Read this author's blog.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
Comments
10.24.08
I think that if BOTH sides focus on "what I learned from that situation", both sides can tell their own truth, and have it heard with somewhat of a constructive ear.
10.24.08
I think it's hard to define where normal griping ends and all-out trash talking begins. Whenever anyone is talked about behind their back, there's an automatic assumption that something negative is being said, and we think the worst.
I think it's better to try to ignore these things and just do your job. The more you focus on what other people might be saying about you, the more you'll lose focus and really be at risk.
10.24.08
@Kathleen & @ Ryan
I think that can be one way of looking at things - but it's not that easy sometimes. Depending on your industry, familiar names can pop up and "who-knows-who" situations emerge all the time. My questions go further than just deciphering between normal everyday bitching about other co-workers and what one can learn from being fired- reputation sabotage is a very real scenario in corporate culture.
"Constructive" ears are not necessarily objective ears. I hope you aren't referring to HR personnel, recruiters or hiring managers (as constructive ears). It's not their job to be objective/constructive - it's their job to find the best person for the position. Of course, everyone learns from being fired - but that doesn't mean you disappear from people's minds. If you are familiar with the VERY public ousting of Julie Roehm from Wal-Mart - maybe you can get a better idea as to what I'm referring to.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_07/b4021076.htm
10.24.08
I've never had the opportunity to criticize a former co-worker but I have seen the effects of professional karma.
One co-worker was very lazy, openly bad-mouthed other employees and felt the work he was assigned was beneath him. He eventually found a new job, bad-mouthing our boss (who loved him!) to anyone who would listen as he walked out the door, where he has to work twice as hard and double the hours. He hates it: Karma.
Another co-worker (a friend of the first) was eventually let go because she too was very negative, lazy and flat out refused to do legitimate duties of her jobs (she was a receptionist but refused to answer phones). Almost a year later she has yet to find permanent work and is temping at company she hates: Karma.
Moral of the story: you reap what you sow in work and in life.
10.24.08
@Office Newb
Thanks for your comments and insight. I, too, have often wondered what happens to people who spend their time negatively talking about employees. Also, "word" gets around - whether you are gabbing to co-workers you consider "friends," you can't expect mouthing off to NOT come back to you in some way. Also, people with negative attitudes bring others down (including being the catalyst for lowering office morale).
I'm also curious about when recruiters/ hiring managers contact a potential employee's former managers/HR personnel. I know that standard company policy is to give title/dates worked - but I wonder: how often is that actually followed? How do HR personnel navigate the bureaucracy of company policy when it comes to getting the "dirt" (or goods) on potential hires?
Or, do people not care about that any more?
HR/Managers just hire the person who doesn't screw up the interview.
10.26.08
Professional karma happens more often than you would think. That's why it's always a good idea to follow the golden rule even in work.
10.29.08
@Kelvin
You're absolutely right. Hmm, but how often is that actually being followed? I wonder how many people actually even know what the golden rule is?
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
