Ask Sue
A Weekly Q&A Column About Professionalism, Etiquette and Problems in the Workplace
by Sue Morem

Waiting for an Answer

Dear Sue: Last week I had an interview at a company I would love to work for. I interviewed with a would-be direct supervisor, as well as two people higher in the department hierarchy. They told me that they wanted me to meet with another person who wasn't available that day.

I was told I didn't need to call, and that they would take care of the arrangements. It has been a week now and I haven't heard from them. Should I call them? If I do what should I say? I really want this job. 

- Waiting

Sue Says: Yes, call them. Tell them that you are following up from the meeting last week. Explain that you were told someone would call to schedule a meeting, but no one has called, so you wanted to do what you could to get the meeting scheduled. Tell them that while you don't want to seem pushy, you also don't want to appear uninterested.

After you call, see what happens. If you don't hear from them then you can assume that they failed to call because they changed their mind. I hope it works out for you.

Dear Sue: After going on numerous interviews looking for work, I was finally asked to take an aptitude test for the first time.

I am amazed that I haven't been asked before. I believe that employers have become too selective. They rule people out before they get enough information to make a decision.

How can a company hire quality people without testing them? Without testing, an employer has no idea whether the employee can even read or write.

As much as employers say they can't find good people, I am wondering how closely they look at the people who come through their doors. I know employers expect you to be all bubbly and happy in an interview, but to be honest with you, it's tough to show up for interviews while working hard all day. What's wrong with employers today? 

- Looking for work

Sue Says: I don't think anything is wrong with employers today, but I would love to hear from anyone who would care to respond to your question.

I know that interviewing is tough, and I understand that you are tired. But if you can't put a smile on your face and act happy when meeting a potential employer, I can understand why you are not being asked to take any tests. It's because you already failed the first one.

If you were doing the hiring, would you rely on a resume or aptitude test to make a decision about hiring someone? Would you be interested in someone who was too tired to be enthused about working for you?

Put forth some more effort and give yourself a chance. If you change your attitude, I am certain that the potential employers you meet in the future will change theirs too. Stop wondering what's wrong with everyone else and take a closer look at what might be wrong with you.

Dear Sue: I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I received the highest possible annual review, and also won the President's Club award with my company. When it came time for a raise, my boss gave me a below average pay raise. When I questioned him as to why, he told me that my base salary was much higher than the new representatives. I pointed out to him that the reason I had a higher base salary was because I had been doing this job much longer than the new representatives.

I brought the issue up with his boss, but nothing has been done. This is very upsetting to me and I am strongly considering contacting human resources to complain. Could this be considered age discrimination or what? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. 

- Underpaid

Sue Says: You haven't provided me with enough information to determine whether or not you are being discriminated against because of your age. It is possible that there are other reasons your boss has been unable to give you a raise, and you need to find out what the reasons are. Based on what you've told me, your performance and value to the company shouldn't be in question.

The first person you need to ask is your boss. If you are not satisfied with his response, then take this up with someone else.

Try not to jump to any conclusions or make any accusations before you do some digging and find out the real reason you haven't received the raise you feel you deserve.

Sue Morem is a professional speaker, trainer and syndicated columnist. She is author of the newly released 101 Tips for Graduates and How to Gain the Professional Edge, Second Edition. You can contact her by email at asksue@suemorem.com or visit her web site at http://www.suemorem.com. 

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