Get advice on how to deal with jerks at work Check out the book 'Jerks At Work' and other titles by Ken Lloyd Ph.D. Return to the JerksAtWork.com homepage Learn more about Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. Submit a question to Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
 

Persuasion

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


I work in inside sales with 20 other salespeople. At a recent Internet convention, all of us worked very hard to bring in leads. But, the only people who were given the leads were the sales reps who management thought would have a higher probability of closing them. This means that I went to work just to generate leads for other salespeople. How do I approach management and ask why they did this to us?
Read Ken's Answer

I need to talk to my manager about my work and about some other issues that have come up, but every time I make an appointment, he cancels. We reschedule and reschedule, but it takes too long to get to him. What can I do?
Read Ken's Answer

I am an independent contractor and I was in the process lining up a project with a rapidly-growing company. My contact person was smart, organized, and supportive. Unfortunately, she had to turn my project over to an individual who is impossible to deal with. He won't return calls, he cancels meetings at the last minute, and he has all but shelved the project. What do you suggest?
Read Ken's Answer

Whenever I make a suggestion to management, I am told that my idea will not work. I think that some of my ideas are very good, but no one around here seems to care. Are there some ways to encourage management to accept some of my suggestions?
Read Ken's Answer

I had a very good job interview a little over a week ago. My experience was a perfect match, and the interviewer and I got along real well. At the end, he said that he would contact me and set up the next step. Since then, I have heard nothing. I have sent a couple of e-mails, and I have called him, all with no response. What should I do?
Read Ken's Answer

I have been a public school teacher for 15 years, and I am preparing myself for interviews for a management/executive position. Since I have always been paid according to union wage, and I have no experience asking for what I am worth, how do I reveal my salary requirements and salary history to a prospective employer?
Read Ken's Answer

When my current boss interviewed me for this job, he was friendly, funny, and easy-going. Now that I work here, he is mean and completely different from the way he was in the interview. I wonder why he would do this and if there is anything I can do about it.
Read Ken's Answer

I was recently promoted to a managerial position, but I am disappointed with the salary increase. The average salary for someone in my position is $16,000 more. I met with my boss and argued for an increase, and he said that he will think about it. It has been a month and I still haven't heard anything. Rumor has it he ignores these types of requests for as long as possible. Any suggestions?
Read Ken's Answer

I am in the middle of a very frustrating job hunt. I have made follow-up phone calls after being interviewed, but after experiencing the annoyed voices of human resources officials telling me that they will call me if they wish to follow up, I have to ask, is it me or have standards changed?
Read Ken's Answer

Last quarter I beat my sales quota by over 100%. Now my sales manager has raised my quota to a number that is just about impossible to reach. This is not fair, and I'd like to know if there is a way to get him to change it back.
Read Ken's Answer

I am an independent contractor trying to land an important project with one company for the past 9 months. Most of my correspondence is by e-mail, and the person I am dealing with keeps saying that they are almost ready to make a decision, but they need a few more weeks. I've met with him and everything is great, and then it's back to e-mails and delays. Do you have any ideas?
Read Ken's Answer

I have a great way to do part of my job, and I am convinced that it will be faster, better, and save the company money. My manager is not the least bit interested in my idea and told me to do the job the way it is specified. How can I convince him to give me a chance?
Read Ken's Answer

I was at a party and met someone who would be a great customer. We hit it off very well, and he told me to call him at work, which I did 3 days ago. I left him a voicemail message, and he has not called me back. I don't want to seem over-eager, but I don't want to lose this lead. Any thoughts on what to do next?
Read Ken's Answer

After doing some salary research, I feel that I am considerably underpaid. I like my current job, but if I look for another job, is it wise to say to the interviewer that I need to obtain a higher salary? Also, my current boss once told me to tell her if I'm ever looking for another job. Should I actually tell her?
Read Ken's Answer

In my department, we all were hired within the last 3 months. We have the same job description, duties, and work hours. However, each of us was hired at a different rate of pay, negotiated at the time of employment. The range varies from $18.00 to $24.00 per hour. How do the lower paid employees go back and negotiate for a higher rate of pay?
Read Ken's Answer

Next month, I'll be at my present job for two years. I deserve a raise, but I want to know how to ask. The staff has been reaching its goals and everyone has been getting a bonus for the last few months. I do my job well and feel it should be reflected in an individual manner. How do I convince my boss of that?
Read Ken's Answer

I work in a family business, and, along with several family members, I am in a managerial position. We recently had a discussion about aligning an important part of our business with a company that I do not like. Several people in our industry have told me about negative experiences with that company, and I mentioned this in our last meeting. As usual, my comments were ignored, and, as the youngest family member in the business, I was treated as "the baby." What steps should I take?
Read Ken's Answer

As part of my job, I handle customer complaints. Sometimes the callers are very upset, and I have not had any formal training in how to deal with them. Can you give me some pointers?
Read Ken's Answer

Is there a point where I should stop leaving messages for a sales prospect to call me? I have called him several times but never get anywhere. If I get him on the phone, he says he's busy and will call me back, but he never does. If I leave a message on his voice mail, I never hear from him.
Read Ken's Answer

I am applying for a new job, and I have a strong resume. Since it speaks for itself, I have not been attaching a cover letter because it's extra work and does not seem worth the trouble. How important is it?
Read Ken's Answer

I am in sales and most of our internal communications are through email. I sent my manager a brief note regarding plans for my territory, and I included a fairly creative suggestion. He responded with a short one-liner that was his attempt at humor, but it essentially dismissed me and my suggestion. How should I deal with him?
Read Ken's Answer

I left my previous employer two years ago because my work was within my area of expertise, but not in my area of interest. My current job started out with work that I enjoy, but now most of my assignments are just like the awful assignments on my previous job. This company emphasizes being a team player, and if I say anything, I could create problems for myself. What should I do?
Read Ken's Answer

The owner of our company has an open-door policy, but whenever any of us meet with him, he doesn't listen. He is friendly, but he always has a reason for doing things his way. Is there a way to change this?
Read Ken's Answer

I just changed offices, and my new one needs more light. I asked my manager if I could bring in a small lamp for my desk. He said he does not want the clutter, and all of the lighting meets the required minimums. How can I change his mind?
Read Ken's Answer

I work in a customer service call center, and one of the customers got nasty with me. I did not like his tone or language, and I said so. He snapped back, so I hung up on him. He called back and told my supervisor, and I ended up being disciplined and having the incident placed in my file. Does this seem fair?
Read Ken's Answer

I love my new job, but my executive director and our board are mired by indecision. I often struggle with getting clear direction despite pushing for answers. I have heard this is the way our non-profit has always operated, since our executive director has held this position for 30 years. He is a wonderful man, but he stalls and often ends up making last minute hasty choices. How can I have an impact on this grossly inefficient process?
Read Ken's Answer

I am currently looking for a job, and one of my friends told me that he heard that putting a “P.S.” at the end of a cover letter is a good way to get some extra attention. Is this a good idea, or is it something that might put an employer off?
Read Ken's Answer

I just finished interviewing an applicant who appears to have the skills for the job, but he kept asking questions throughout the interview. I tried to stop him, but he kept asking one after another, and now I don’t have enough data to make a decision. Should I bring him back for a second interview?
Read Ken's Answer

Whenever we meet with our manager to talk about questions or problems on the job, his reaction is always the same. He says, “Deal with it,” and then goes back to whatever he was doing. We end up making mistakes and then getting reprimanded. What are we supposed to do?
Read Ken's Answer

Our company retained a consultant to look at how we are organized, and one of his recommendations is to reduce job titles for several of us. Some directors will become managers, and some managers will become supervisors. All of us are upset, and we are wondering how to combat this.
Read Ken's Answer

I lost my job a few months ago, and I have been temping since then. I am now a temp for a good company, and I like this job. Are there some ways to persuade the company to hire me for this position?
Read Ken's Answer