Workplace Gossip. How to Avoid it.

Gossip. It’s never a good idea. Maintaining a professional image means keeping conversations factual and business related. Staying away from personal or speculative conversation about co-workers can be the fast track to professional disaster. If you engage in gossip, you risk your own reputation for being untrustworthy and unprofessional. Why jeopardize your career?

When someone starts spreading workplace gossip or wants you to engage in it, what can you do? Here are a few strategies you can use to avoid getting drawn into gossip.

1. If gossip erupts during a conversation you are involved in, make a work-related excuse and walk away.
2. Change the subject. A pleasant interrupt, like last night’s sports scores or an upcoming work agenda can change the course of the conversation.
3. Just come out and say that you aren’t comfortable talking behind other people’s backs. (Remember that people who talk about others in conversation with you are most likely to do the same about you behind your back).
4. Confront the subject of the gossip by saying, “I hadn’t heard that, let’s go and ask him or her.”

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Why Didn't I Make It Past the First Round?

Guest Post from Robyn Taylor, Senior Vice President, Actuarial Careers   robyntaylor@actuarialcareers.com

 Did you ever wonder why you didn’t make it to the next round of interviews for a new job?  You looked great, you showed up on time, and you gave the hiring manager a firm handshake – all the while smiling and showing what a good fit you would be for the role.  Well, there are some finer points to advancing through the interview process that take a little more work and preparation.  Here’s what you need to do next time so you don’t get eliminated so early.

1)     Research the employer.  The internet is your friend.  In this day and age, if you can’t take the time to read over the company’s general background information you are doing yourself a disservice.  At the very least, you should know who owns the company, whether or not it is publicly traded, and any big news items that have appeared over the last 12 months.

2)    Know your resume inside and out, and be able to provide concrete examples of your skills.  Employers want to know that you have the substance to back up the words on your resume.  Too often, I hear managers say “Gee, she looked great on paper, but she really couldn’t tell me what she had been doing!”  Also, be prepared for technical questions related to your work.   If you say you know SAS or SQL, for instance, you need to be able to field questions on the topic.

3)    Be ready to ask intelligent questions.  You should have at least three or four questions regarding the job or the company prepared in advance.  Good topics are day to day duties, the actuarial career path at the company, and if the company anticipates any new projects or initiatives over the next six to twelve months.  Inappropriate questions are related to salary, benefits, and vacation time.  Save these until you receive an offer.

The truth is, you can never be too prepared for an interview.  If you want to be the one offered the position with the actuarial team you’ve admired so far, you need to show you are a candidate who brings thoughtfulness and substance to the table.  With a little pre-game work, you can do it! 

Contact Robyn and view job listings on www.actuarialcareers.com