Yesterday during an important meeting with some clients, I accidentally broke a glass and ended up spilling champagne on a couple of people. First, the director practically burned a hole through me...

Thank you Marie
This 81 year old is way beyond the pen pal years. Instead of being a bleeding heart liberal, I believe we all need to take... responsibility for our actions. Some of the people with these questions may not like my answers but I am sure it makes them think. May the Good Lord keep you in good health and happiness.
Uma more

Yesterday during an important meeting with some clients, I accidentally broke a glass and ended up spilling champagne on a couple of people. First, the director practically burned a hole through me...

It is unfortunate but these things happen. Your director was embarrassed and did not know the next step. You and/or your colleagues in the meeting... could have grabbed some dry towels, quickly pick up big pieces and mop up the liquid and spread dry towels and the meeting could have resumed. If you had another conference room that was empty, meeting could have moved there.
But the director was embarrassed, the meeting was interrupted and sometimes the client may think of other objections and the sale may be lost.
You owe your boss and the client an apology. As far as your job is concerned, I am assuming you are valuable enough to the organization that a firing may not even come to their minds.
A reprimand may be and you should accept it graciously.
Good luck and be careful with champagne. Stop drinking long before you start feeling tipsy.
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I've just been made redundant at 58 after more than three decades in the same industry. I worked my way up, gave everything to the company, and now I'm out - replaced, it feels, by younger people who...

Sarah
The days of somebody working all their life at one company are behind us. It is becoming more like 3-4 stints, of 7-10 years. Obviously it hurts... your pride, your self confidence and begins a new worry. But it is time to move on. A lot of people have ended up with better careers after being let go, But cast aside all negativity first. Kick out all the anger, hate and self pity to start moving towards a better tomorrow.
Read the advice of Career Development. All those points are very helpful and point the way to a brighter tomorrow. In large companies, redundancies are pretty well explained in writing. You should get hold of whatever is available in writing. Ask questions where necessary. You should have already applied for unemployment compensation.
Pay attention to your resume. Have it critiqued by many. Now step out in the world with great attitude, confidence in your abilities and look for a fitting job and organization.
Good luck, Sarah. Show them what you are made of.
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I had a job interview and the guy who interviewed me seemed okay. But now he keeps messaging me and asking me out. Do you think I should go along with it to help get the job or just forget it? The...

This is totally wrong and unprofessional. If you want to stop this behavior and keep going, I would say something like "excuse me while I turn off my... phone. This immature flirt keeps bugging me.". This is OK if it looks like the company is reputable and this guy happens to be immature and a misfit. Otherwise do not waste your time and move on.
Good luck. more

So at my job I work with two dudes named Calvin. Neither one of them want me to call them by a different name. I've discussed creating a nickname for them and they have defied me every step of the...

I do not know the author's position or need to establish a nick name. I understand the hostile reaction.
Those guys have the right to keep their... names. If I did not want to address by their nick names, I can also call them by their formal names Mr. ............ If they got irritated by formal names, they would suggest an alternate name to you.
You have better things to do than ganging up on somebody's name. more

My girlfriend has been working for free at a big bank reception for two and a half months. They say they will hire her, but for now she’s just gaining experience. It feels like they’re taking...

I would first go back to the initial conversation with the bank. There may also be something in writing. Let us assume the bank offered 6 to 12 months... of unpaid internship, and she joined.
Once the mutually agreed relationship is established, we can examine if she wants to change it and how to accomplish that. Banks deal with public and care about how they are perceived. A large bank is probably owned by stockholders and the money saved does not go in anybody's pocket. I would, therefore, examine the facts first and not start out wasting time in blaming the bank. Good luck. more

I graduated college with honors and now work as an economist in a big company. Why did we have to study “Economic History”, “Advanced Math” and “History of Economic Thought” when what we really needed...

Sorry to hear you have a toxic team. Do not get sour on the world. If you cannot live with it, change to something more livable.
You appear to have... done well with good prospects. Go change your environment or your job. Good luck
The courses generally serve a large variety of needs. As to the history, I remember reading that those that do not learn from history are liable to repeat it. more

Can you advise if it’s even worth answering the “What are your weaknesses?” question in an interview? For me, it feels like such a cringe question.

Beautifully answered. I agree.

I’ve been at my company for a year and have always been motivated to build my career. I go the extra mile, work overtime and even come in on weekends. Lately *though* it feels like I’m just being...

It is a major change from being enthusiastic to worrying about being squeezed or being burned out. What happened on the way? New boss? Something to do... with your personal life or health?
If personal factors, then the solution may be in your hands. If it is truly external, you may want to seek the help of your boss or HR.
Since you have been an exemplary employee, they should be very receptive to helping you. Try to avoid a blame game. Good Luck more

Hello everyone! I want some advice: our company got a new owner. The previous one was great, he brought everyone together and supported us. The new owner, however, can swear at people and treat...

You seem to like the work and your pay. That is great. It is also good to realize that you have no say in the ownership matters.
Generally all of us... are resistant to change. Somebody may have been disciplined and may be poisoning the atmosphere. Otherwise you may have to figure out what you dislike about him and whether you can live with it. If yes, adapt yourself, otherwise figure out whether you can discuss the matter or start looking for a change.
Good luck. more

I need some advice. I've been working in the banking system for 5 and a half years, in the CSRV department. But I feel like this job just isn't for me. I really want to draw and create beautiful...

Generally speaking, people find time to do what they really love. Keep a diary for a week and determine what takes your time. Priortize your tasks and... find your time.
If the bank job does not lead to a career you love and you can live 2 years without a paycheck, consider how you would monetize your hobby and then go for it. Otherwise you can potentially put yourself and your loved ones in much difficulty.
Listen to the advice of others and take time to critically analyze before walking away from your job, especially when others depend on it. Good Luck  more

I was just rejected for a job because they said I used AI to answer the interview questions. But I didn't, so I'm confused. Do all employers assume everyone uses AI now?

That is too bad. I would decline it firmly once. Then tell them they should ask new questions to determine the quality of answers. If they say there... is not much time, I would remind them they have had the application for a while and had the time to prepare other questions if they wanted to. I would end with wishing them luck. more

By now we all have an idea of what the standard interview process consists of, but how can you make a good impression in an interview that you are less ready for? While every job interview is going...

Wow! A scholarly paper from Silicon Republic.
From my perspective, you seem to have lined up a job you like. Congrats.
Now you are wondering about... interviewing for a job you like less. Why?Trying for a better job is understandable. Anyway, in your case, why waste time. If you want to go, prepare what you are comfortable with and do not jeopardize the current job. more

Hi, can someone help me with breathing exercises to calm down? I get really nervous before interviews and don’t know how to relax. Thanks!

Learn meditation to calm you down. You can find many helpful videos on YouTube.

There’s a young guy in my department who has become an excellent specialist in just a year and a half. He’s fast, responsible and creative. I decided to reward him and put two employees under his...

None of us were born with management skills. I would not add more book knowledge right away. He needs a mentor where he can go for advice. You or... someone else could be a mentor. He needs to lay out what he finds difficult, where he is not so sure, and where he is concerned about a wrong decision that may cost him his job. Besides helping him with operational issues, you need to assure him that it is ok to make small mistakes and you will share the responsibility with him.
Slowly your time commitment will taper off. Along the way, you can ask him if he would like some job related training. Praising and promoting his accomplishments,and standing behind him, especially in the beginning, would do wonders for his enthusiasm. Good luck to both of you. more

Hi, can you help me out? Today is my third working day at the bank. My probation period won't end for another three months. But my manager is demanding that I sign an agreement for full financial...

If you work at the cash desk, it is normal to expect that bank would want some safeguards. You have a valid point that you need training and should... ask supervisor to enroll you in such training. Similarly you should ask your manager to set up a session with company attorney to acquaint you with details of that agreement . Good luck  more

Could you help me with some advice on how to hint to my manager in a somewhat humorous but detailed way, that I want a raise? He's not very fond of such conversations and tries to avoid them. Thanks...

I would follow Suzanne's advice. Your feeling that you are underpaid and your being prepared to show that you are being paid below market are two... different things. Look at it unemotionally and even discuss with a friend or family member.
The second aspect to consider is the quality and quantity of your work. You are in a strong position when you are the 'go to' person for difficult projects that need to get done. And, of course, go through this process if you like the company and want to stay.
There is no one approach to handle such issues and depends on what you or your boss are comfortable with. You could ask to setup an appointment with your boss to discuss your career and compensation. He may have HR join in the conversation. All this assumes they like your work and do not want to lose you. Be yourself and respectful. I was successful in getting 10-30% raises in two such instances. Good luck. more

Management advice! My wife and I started a community school and we have been running the school as directors since 2014. In 2023, we got an intetnational Ngo that helped with agrant to build 3 class...

All the best. Hope you overcome this obstacle and continue with your life's mission.
Uma