Q. My boss announced her resignation. She’s awesome! Can I ask her to take me with her or will that be like also announcing I am leaving without a job offer in hand?
A. Go for it! Talk to her confidentially and see if there are any opportunities now or in the future. If there aren’t any opportunities that she knows of yet, be intentional about staying in touch and on her radar screen. If there are opportunities, then absolutely go for it!
When I worked in recruiting, it wasn’t uncommon for a wonderful boss to leave and then for many direct reports to follow them after they started. So don’t be dismayed if nothing happens yet — she hasn’t officially started her new role yet. You may want to get your resume ready for circulation and start looking for new jobs externally!
And also position yourself perhaps to take over her role if you’d like. It sounds like your loyalty is more to her than your company. I’d put all irons in the fire and see what strikes! You’re in the driver’s seat.
Q. Summer Fridays Shmridays! They’re a sham. I’m working longer days the other days. Everyone in my company, including my boss and the boss’s boss. We work on Fridays, too, so basically nothing’s changed except optics. How can I get my summer back?
A. First, the good news: It’s not too late to get some of your summer back! Definitely doable. Next, the bad news: Your company sounds toxic. I’d start looking for a new job. You didn’t ask about this, but I sense it from your environment and frustrations.
Now, set boundaries as best you can to enjoy the rest of summer and bigger picture: having a life outside of work. Starting a job search; knowing you may be leaving soon can hopefully instill a mindset that this situation is lighter and it’s temporary, as is summer.
This brings us back to your question: Make plans with specific boundaries. Yes, a staycation is a plan. A vacation is a plan. Be intentional about being offline, out of sight, out of mind — even if it starts with taking a full hour during lunchtime to eat lunch, go for a walk, enjoy the fresh air. Even if you feel pressure because everyone around you is working 24/7.
Labor Day is not here, summer is not over yet, you have time to hopefully reduce your daily work hours and have long weekends. You need to be intentional with strict boundaries and hopefully without backlash for taking this well-earned time guilt-free.
Vicki Salemi is a career expert, former corporate recruiter, author, consultant, speaker, and career coach. Send your questions to hello@vickisalemi.com. For more information and to subscribe to Vicki’s newsletter, visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vickisalemi./Tribune News Service