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There's still time to boost your network before the year ends. Firstly, determine what you really want to gain from networking, says life coach Susie Moore. Is it a new job, or to keep relationships alive? Writing in Business Insider, Moore explains that she had a mentor who kept a spreadsheet of 50 connections to email each quarter. Those kinds of touch points produce opportunities, she says. She also suggests using downtime – like when you're waiting for transportation to arrive or for a video meeting to begin – to send quick pings to people in your network. And the end of the year is a great time for messages of gratitude, she adds. Read more: https://lnkd.in/drPzVwEr Summary ✍: Todd Dybas 📸: Getty

Work for a toxic boss? While the common response would be to leave, there may be situations where quitting is not an option. Writing in The Age, culture expert and author Colin Ellis shares his tips for dealing with an unhealthy workplace. Firstly, it's important to look after yourself. "Your physical health directly influences how well you handle workplace challenges," he says. Ellis also suggests maintaining a high standard of work to defend against unfair criticism, and if it's safe to do so, keep open communications with your manager. Read Ellis' tips here: https://lnkd.in/gdHRauGa How would you handle a toxic boss? Share your thoughts in the comments. ✍ Brendan Wong 📸 Getty

If you're considering quitting your job, your boss may be the best person to have a conversation with, writes journalist Rebecca M. Knight in Harvard Business Review. Having an open chat with your manager might lead to new opportunities within your current company, but it takes a certain, strategic approach. Before you have the conversation with your boss, think about your motivations – are you looking for a promotion, new responsibilities or greater fulfilment? Also consider your boss's priorities and how they align with yours. Frame the conversation around how you can add value, rather than directly mentioning leaving, writes Knight. Taking a partnership approach works best here – lay out your ideal scenario and figure out ways to get there together. A word of caution though: If you do tell your boss you are considering quitting, it might put a strain on your relationship with them, or make you seem less committed. If you do have the conversation, make sure you follow up and acknowledge any tension, while also saying thanks. ✍ Polly Dennison Source: Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/gqVe53mV

Good job-interview etiquette can improve your chances of landing a role. Many candidates don't get called for an interview or are ghosted during the hiring process, so thinking about and planning your approach is imperative, says author Tracy Brower, PhD. Writing in Forbes, Brower says there are a number of things you must do before, during and after the interview. For example, being responsive in your communications with the company, doing thorough research and choosing the right outfit. On the day of the interview, be on time, show up with a friendly attitude and put your phone on silent mode. When answering questions, Brower says it's important not to speak negatively about your previous employer, to be honest in your responses and manage your time. At the end, be courteous and thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Finally, send thank-you emails in the days afterwards and maintain a positive attitude. "Be prepared, be poised and be professional – and use good interview etiquette. You'll pave your way to success, for sure," writes Brower. 🔎 Read more in Brower's Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/gQJhqz7B ✍ Jennifer Ryan 📸 Getty

What's coming for job seekers in 2025? Interactive, artificial intelligence-powered interviews. Brent Orsuga, the founder of a headhunting firm, told CNBC Make It that many companies already use artificial intelligence in the hiring process. Some employers use interactive AI to conduct screening calls over the phone, creating a human-to-software conversation. Orsuga notes AI can quicken initial candidate vetting, which is good for both sides of the hiring process. However, AI often displays bias, and he holds concerns about how that could influence the process. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGUJphPq Summary ✍: Todd Dybas 📸 Getty

Think your boss isn't paying attention to your work? You're probably wrong about that, says Dr. Miro Bada, a career and personal growth expert. Bosses expect certain things from their employees, even if they don't communicate it, writes Bada, based on his experience of coaching managers. Leaders value authenticity and can tell when you aren't being straight with them, so pretending to know stuff won't help you. "It's okay to say you don't know. They respect that," he says. Additionally, consistency and the ability to provide solutions rather than just identifying problems are highly valued traits. "Problems are many, but problem-solvers? Hard to find." Understanding these unspoken expectations can enhance your career growth and help you meet your boss's expectations more effectively, says Bada. 🔎 Read his full post below: https://lnkd.in/gSz6Z_C7

Do your work colleagues have a nickname for you? Friendly nicknames can be a great way to solidify personal relationships between peers or romantic partners. But what about in professional environments? Harvard Business Review reports that participants in a recent US study reported that nicknames fostered a more team-like, inclusive working environment. But not all the time. The research found that managers and leaders who create nicknames for subordinates, however well-intentioned, can underscore power disparities and diminish psychological safety for employees. Some guidelines for nicknames in the workplace, according to the research: 1️⃣ It's okay to use nicknames for the boss 2️⃣ Avoid using nicknames for your employees or direct reports 3️⃣ Be mindful of your organisation's culture 4️⃣ Never use mean nicknames 5️⃣ Finally: when in doubt, ask before using someone's nickname 💭 Are nicknames commonplace where you work? Vote in our poll and join the conversation in the comments. Source: Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/grB27mNP ✍ Jennifer Ryan

Sending a post-interview thank-you note is a simple and effective way to generate some goodwill and positive feelings. A career coach tells Welcome to the Jungle that as a job seeker, you should send a note via email the day after your interview. If you don't send it the next day, send it within three days – and send one to each person you interviewed with. Use an upbeat tone and make the note personal; reference questions or topics that came up in your interview with that particular person. Reiterate your excitement and why you're a good fit for the job, Welcome to the Jungle says. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehtu5gsy Summary ✍: Todd Dybas 📸 Getty

Dealing with a boss who often changes their mind? Ask them specific questions, not general ones. Career consultant Elizabeth Lotardo writes in Harvard Business Review that questions such as "What do you think?" create space for indecisive leaders to waffle. Instead, "define the feedback scope" by considering your boss's strengths, the most important item you're dealing with and what could stall success. If your questions are targeted, you give your boss a better chance to deliver a direct response. That will help give both parties clarity about their mission and save time in the long run. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYGTrrEs ✍ Todd Dybas

Not knowing what you might be asked is one of the most stressful parts of the job interview process. A simple way to take the guesswork out of it is to share the questions with candidates in advance, says Holly Taylor, head of people at Public Digital. She recently tried it out when hiring for a new leader at her company, sharing information about the panel, a case study and questions with the candidates ahead of time, Taylor tells CNBC Make It. The result: it allowed her to ask the interviewees more thought-provoking questions. One counter argument is that hiring managers may not get a sense of how a candidate thinks on their feet when they know what they're going to be asked. Taylor says that's an overrated ability in the workplace. "Even if you're in that moment and don't know the answer, what do you do? You go, 'OK, I don’t have that answer for you right now, but if you can leave it with me, I'll go away and I'll come back to you'," she tells CNBC. A further benefit to sharing questions with job candidates is that it leads to a natural weeding out process, according to Taylor. The quality of preparation and delivery vary, which allows you to gain an insight into the candidates' work habits. 💭 Have you been given questions in advance for a job interview? Do you think it would improve your performance? Share your thoughts in the comments. 🔎 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ezaX_RxK ✍ Jennifer Ryan 📷 Getty