Cindy, an intern at a technology firm, yelled at her boss and another employee when given feedback on her performance instead of listening. She then quit her job before a scheduled disciplinary meeting and badmouthed her bosses in her exit letter. The author advises that Cindy has damaged her own reputation and missed an opportunity to learn and grow professionally.

1. 64 CAREERS n The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Q: “Cindy” a student intern
at our technology firm
was unwilling to accept
the feedback my boss
“Desiree” and I had on her
performance. Instead of
listening, she yelled at us at
the top of her lungs. I was
amazed Desiree didn’t fire
her on the spot. A follow-up
meeting was scheduled to
include a disciplinary letter.
Turns out, Cindy quit before
the meeting, but not before
bad-mouthing Desiree and
I in her exit letter to Human
Resources. Is my reputation
in any danger?
A: It’s Cindy who needs to
be concerned about her
reputation.Working at a
student placement is a
privilege and a valuable
precursor to set the stage
for one’s professional career.
Cindy burnt a bridge not
only at your organization but
with you and Desiree,and
has forfeited your verbal and
written recommendations.
In lieu of learning on the
job,which includes taking
feedback well to enhance
performance,Cindy also
missed the opportunity to
make professional contacts,
meet new colleagues and learn
more about your organization
and field.Fill her spot with an
enthusiastic,hardworking,
appreciative intern who will
add value and harmony.
Q: I am in my late 50s and
have a stellar work record.
I was displaced at the
organization I worked at for
10 years through no fault of
my own. Yet I continually
have to defend myself
with each job application
I submit. I’m currently
unemployed and continue
to be passed over for less
qualified candidates. Do
you have any suggestions?
A:You’re right.There are
many displaced workers
who have found themselves
unemployed through no fault
of their own.Global economic
slowdown,corporate
mergers,manufacturing
in-sourcing to NorthAmerica,
government regulations
and poor management
are just some contributing
factors.I recommend you not
defend yourself but rather
educate your perspective
employers.Show them what
a seasoned professional
they’d be getting,and what
a gold mine of information
and experience you are.
Expect a considerable lead
time to connect with the
right organization that will
appreciate you.Don’t give up
until you find the right fit.
Q: In early 2015, my
company merged. My boss
“Josh” got “liaison” tagged
onto his existing title once
the merger was complete.
Some feel this means Josh
could be on the chopping
block. Is he in serious
danger of losing his job?
A:Your company was acquired
and is now a subsidiary of
the parent company; your
CEO reports into the parent
company’s CEO.The liaison
role is vital in this first new
year of operation.There will be
challenges and adjustments
as your company learns about
the parent company,how they
do business and vice versa.
Once you’ve gotten to know
each others’styles,realistic
expectations to work together
well can be set.Job overlap
may also come to light.Josh
has an important“extra”job
to do in terms of spearheading
communication,promoting
transparency and problem
solving.Let’s hope the CEO at
the parent company sees it
that way.
Vera Held (www.veraheld.com)
is a coach,speaker,and the
author of business best-seller
How Not to Take it Personally.
Send your workplace questions
to vera@veraheld.com.
HELD
Make it Work
VeraN.
Hotheaded intern
burns her bridges