At Work by Lindsey Novak

Q: I have a permanent part-time job at a hotel while I am working on a degree in hospitality management. My previous boss understood how important school is to me and made sure to give me hours that accommodated my class times. My new boss, the director of housekeeping, is OK, but not as accommodating as my former boss.

I told him about my schooling, and he acted like it was no a big deal. He told me if he could give me my requested hours, he would, but he may not always be able to. My old boss always found ways to schedule me without interfering with school, so I got the feeling this new boss just doesn't want to go out of his way to arrange it. I then need to ask all my co-workers to see if anyone could switch with me, but by the time I get in touch with them after getting my schedule, they have sometimes already made plans.

I want to stay at the hotel to learn first-hand how all of the departments are run, so I can't let this man discourage my goals. What can I do to change his mind?

A: It sounds like you targeted the real problem; the director doesn't want to expend his energy trying to accommodate your class hours but doesn't object to you using your time to change hours with co-workers. Generally, people are either helpers or non-helpers, and your new boss is the latter type. You are going to have to work under his terms, so this might the perfect time to speak to the human resource department about a transfer. Explain your overall goal of working in as many departments as you can while you're in school to gain on-the-job experience and that you would like to be considered for any training programs the hotel sponsors. Ask to be notified when positions open, but say that you are happy to stay in your job until one does.

Once your goals are established with the HR, wait for the right opportunity.

In the meantime, tell your instructors you are given short notice for your hours and will do you best to never miss class. You will then have to rely on your instructors for accommodations they can make for you.

NEPOTISM TRIUMPHS OVER EXPERIENCE

Q: Everyone says to create your own job and sell yourself to the companies you want. I did just that, and I got interviews at a couple of companies. One company owner loved my proposal of all I could do for his company, and he met with me several times. Each time, we talked about what I thought was important to achieve and how I would do it for the company. I am a highly experienced specialist in a technical field, and most of us professionals in the industry know each other. Things were in the final stage of being hired when one more interview changed everything. I was told a family member wanted a chance to do the job, and the owner couldn't say no.

I was shocked and angry but could say nothing. After all, it's his company. Now I feel like creating a job is a great way to give free ideas to a company and get nothing in return.

A: Your experience is common in the world of privately owned businesses. That's why many people prefer the corporate world with public stock, strict company policies and procedures and rules, rules, rules.

When asked how you would contribute to a company, sell your genius without giving away your brain. If you walked away feeling robbed of your ideas, you were probably top-heavy with information and low on salesmanship. There's an art to saying enough, without saying too much, and how to close a deal when you are the product.

Email all your questions to workplace expert Lindsey Novak at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com. She answers all emails. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM