Assignments by my boss are explained very poorly...and get upset when I ask questions..suggestions?
968999
Perhaps if you phrased your questions as ideas, \n\nLike, \n\n"I'm going to use Excel to create a spreadsheet and enter all the data that way." \n\nIt will give your boss a chance to say, "No I want you to enter the data through...." or say, "Yes, that would work well." \n\nOr, there's always the option of Monster.com
731653
Ask your instructor to narrow the assignment.\n\nOr, make an assumption as to what the instructor wants, and go forward using your assumption.  (I did this once, and because I was the first one done, the instructor accepted my assumption, although it wasn't what he had inmind.)
511346
I went through the same thing at my job and I went to my immediate supervisor and explained what I was feeling and asked for something different to learn about the company.  I was a good worker so they started expanding my responsibilities and giving me more challenging options to deal with.  It helped a lot!  Good luck!
405527
kirstinlilloth!  the beatings will continue till morale improves!!!  every time i treated my employees like people, i got screwed.  how about my employee who told me she was having a tough pregnancy and may lose the baby.  i let her go home early so many times because she was feeling bad that it was like she was a part time worker.  THEN i find out from another employee that she's not having a difficult pregnancy at all---she's going SHOPPING every time i let her off early.  guess who felt like the biggest chump in the world?  ME.  kick the whiners into submission, i say!\n\nlol---i'm such a chump!  probably my favorite was when a letter informing me that our utilities were about to be shut off due to non payment landed on my desk.  digging through the mountains of paperwork on the AP persons desk i found 3 months worth of electric invoices that hadn't been processed.  i sat down with the ap clerk and we had a "Come to Jesus" talk.  but it didn't do any good.  i later had to let her go because she would rather talk then do any work.\n\noh, here's another thing bosses have to put up with---employees who abuse funeral leave policies.  one of my employees got caught trying to take funeral leave for a 2nd cousin twice removed or some crap like that on her ex-boyfriend's side of the family.  lol!\n\nlol!  you guys are funny!  it's easy to tell from the answers that none of you has ever been a boss.\n\nthese are the kind of things bosses have to put up with:\n\nlate, tardy or absent employees\n\nemployees who take off a day without asking\n\nemployees who spend too much time on the phone with 'personal' calls  (a friend of mine once had an employee who spent over 40 hours in a week on the phone!)\n\nemployees who lie or steal\n\nemployees who abuse sick day policies\n\nemployees who abuse dress code policies\n\nemployees who take long lunch or regular breaks\n\nemployees who see the workplace as a place to socialize\n\nemployees who bring their sex lives to work\n\nemployees who use the company's property for their own use\n\nemployees who miss deadlines\n\nemployees who do shoddy or inaccurate work\n\nemployees who constantly whine about going home early\n\nemployees who work overtime without permission\n\nemployees who won't use the time clock properly\n\nemployees who can't think for themselves\n\nemployees who aren't good managers of their time\n\nemployees who let work pile up on their desk because they are too busy visiting\n\nNOW---in addition to taking care of all the ABOVE things, you as a boss have your own job to do.  why isn't it done?  sometimes you spend all day babysitting your moronic employees and then have to work late to get your job done.  i used to say that i could start on 'my' job at 5pm, when all my direct reports went home.\n\nand you wonder why the bosses are mean
771758
What a drag.....Sounds like maybe you should take you resume somewhere else.  Some people have to downgrade everyone else just to make themselves feel better, superior, or whatever reason.  It's obvious he's got issues.  You're only going to be able to put up with him for so long before you'll probably snap.  Start looking for other employment because I doubt very much if he'll ever change.  Unless you feel like stepping up and being the one to change him.  Confront him with the problem.....maybe he needs to hear how he treats people....\nI sure hope whatever you do things work out of you...\nGooday! ! !
518290
I feel your pain.  My resolution?  I tell the individual that I am too busy and he has to do it himself.  I don't do his work anymore.  When my supervisor complains; I tell him "not my job".  Good luck with that one.
267349
you must tell you boss all about it.. give a good notice period and wait for the reaction.. no matter what it was you did what you had to do and he is the one who will feel bad if he reacted in a disrespectfull way
1114680
I agree with the previous advice of discussing a possible misunderstanding with him.  Tell him you didn't understand that he wanted you to do this, but now that you do, ask him what you can do to help resolve the situation now.  Once this particular problem is handled, then ask him what you can do to make communication clearer between the two of you; as part of that discussion you can diplomatically point out to him that, perhaps, putting expectations in writing in the future might be helpful to you both.  If these things don't work and he insists on making it an issue at review time, or holding it against you during salary administration, then (and only then) get HR involved.
1180200
sit down and talk calmly with your supervisor, ask him/her to provide a detailed list of behaviors which should be changed in order to better yourself and assist in getting a promotion.\n\nWho tells you you don't have the right attitude?\n\nBe nice, do not be defensive, smile, See if the company has anything in writing as to promotional policies.\n\nIf you are unhappy with the results.  Go to the next person on the "ladder"
356017
Just come right out and ask your boss if there is a problem and tell her exactly what you've told us.  It is only fair that you should know what is going on at work.  This way you won't have to sit and wonder and make yourself crazy and it's not fair to be treated that way at work.
827162
Do not tell your boss that she makes mistakes if you want to keep your job and get decent raises.\n\nYou would do better to suggest a different solution when you see a correctable mistake.\n\nTake care,\nTroy
786078
I'm truly sorry this has happened to you.  So, was your boss nice about it, or was she kind of be-little-ing?  You say she made you feel like a small child.  You know, we all have our bad days.  Guess what else?  We ALL make mistakes!  I bet SHE has even made a few mistakes herself.  Try not to feel stupid.  Did you apologize for the mistakes?  If not, do so if you feel you can.  Try so hard to concentrate totally on your job and I think you will be fine.  IF, though, she is not nice about the "writing you up thing" then I'd look for other employment.  Not as a cop out, but sometimes women bosses can be a little...ya know!  what's up with the internet priv. being taken away.  Sounds like a little bit of a power trip to me. Just go in there tomorrow with a smile on your face and confidence about you and have a wonderfully beautiful day!
324951
Whether you actually want information, or just want not to look bewildered when they drop the question in your lap, you are right to have an answer planned. I think you should focus more on what impression your question will make on them, than on what information you might get from the question.\n\nWait till you see how the interview went. If they want you, ask some questions that relate to things *you* want to get out of the job. Do you feel you need training? Do you feel you need to switch roles every few months (particularly important to get promoted to manager)? Don't say you want these these, ask how they they handle stuff like that. Now, if it's a big company and you are talking to a professional HR person or recruiter, it won't make much difference because they won't have any role in your job. But if it's your soon to be manager, get 'em on the hook.\n\nIf you are sensing they aren't sure they want you, you have one more chance here to ask some questions that relate to things *they* want which might make them want you. Figure out in advance what your weaknesses are likely to be, and figure out questions that will show that you understand yourself and are working to improve. \n\nFinally, if it's pretty clear that they don't want you, definately ask why, and what you could have been or had that  they were looking for. It will help you put your best foot forward in your next interview. Plus, it really will make you look more conscientious (don't make it sound like you're ready to fib to get a job) and they might just remember you if another opening comes up.
332178
In same boat. Yahoo answers helping a bit ;) but there really is not much you can do if boss wants you there work or not . BTW: you have guts. Your "Ignorance" question very valid & will get worse with this "google" generation who is being taught you don't need to know anything as can just look it up. Of course the source Google puts you to may be wrong or you might actually have to know off top of head but they don't care. People would rather argue that they have an excuse for not knowing rather than learning. Good luck.\nMike B
36380
Q1. I would ask employee A's boss (which I believe would not be me) to do the following or I would do it myself. I would ask employee A to stay after the meeting ended or I would make some time to have a brief meeing with employee A in my office. I would say I apologize for not being able to tell you before the meeting that I was going to give project #3 to employee B. I would tell employee A how much I value their dedication and their work and tell them the reason why I chose to give project#3 to employeeB (because there were several projects that have the same deadline or I wanted you (employee A) to focus on the most important projects). The last thing I would do is give employee A an opportunity to ask any questions regarding the changes I made.\n\nQ2. First of all, the only private phone call that would make me late for an important meeting with my boss would be an emergency. I would call my boss immediately after the emergency phone call and say "I am sorry but I but I am going to be 10 mins. late for our meeting due to an emergency phone call. Ask if that is going to be okay, it gives your boss the option of rescheduling the meeting with you,if he has other committments. You could explain what the emergency was but,depending on the nature of the emergency, you don't have to go into detail. When you get to the meeting you could once again apologize for being late for the meeting. If the meeting involves more people than just your boss, I would make a general apology to every one for being late and holding up the meeting. No explanation as to reason when it involves more than your boss or a group of people. \n\nQ3. I would say I am sorry I lost my temper when you asked me to help you with that math problem. I would tell him/her if it was because I had a headache but not tell my child that I reacted that way because of worry about bills, argument with husband, no need to burden a child and cause them unnecessary worry. Is there something about subtraction that you don't understand? I would let them know I want them to come to me whenever they need my help (there are many situations I would not want my child to resolve on their own ex: being bullied or treatened by someone), but not for homework they know how to do.
515945
Just do the exam - I'm in the same position - got an assignment I have to do that is soooo hard, I keep putting it off - I'm sitting and answering questions on "yahoo" instead. (which can be addictive!) Just go for it, once you get started it may not be as bad as you think.  If it is, you said you can do it again, so it doesn't matter either way.\n\nIn the workplace, if you don't know how to do something, it's best to be honest with your boss.  It's faster for your boss to show you something again than have you make errors or waste time trying to learn it yourself without assistance. You said your boss was trying to give you "constructive criticism", this indicates to me that your boss is actually trying to help you.  Sometimes you can feel like a failure if you get any kind of criticism, but you need to think of everything you do as a new learning experience.  Some advice - if you're learning something new, even if it's simple, carry around a notebook & pencil so that you can write down everything someone shows you.  You might think it's a bit corny but it will show to your boss that you are taking good notes of what you're being told and they'll know that you won't have to ask questions again, because you've got notes.  Not everyone has a photographic memory, and there's nothing wrong with that - as long as you have the notes, it won't be an issue.\n\nDon't volunteer to learn the photocopier somewhere else, you haven't got time!  No point, every photocopier is different.\n\nDo you actually like this job?  If not, stick with it for now but keep your eye out for something else.  If so, communicate more with your boss & tell them any issues you have (things you don't know or need some training on) and do the exam - and study!!!!!  Companies that are willing to give their employees a regular evaluation are usually great to work for.  If you go well, they'll often give you a payrise or promotion - if you don't go well, it's an indication to them that you need some training in certain areas.  Either way, you win.\n\nJust to let you know - I've been working in offices for years, even been an office manager.  Every photocopier is different, and noone knows how to use them, it's not just you.  It's ok to ask how to do things - it's normal, everyone does it!\n\nGoing to do my assignment now - you've inspired me. Thanks!  Good luck!
707540
Ask your new boss what the proper way is.  This should be part of your training.  If not, then it is best to be honest with them and explain that today is your first day and that you appreciate their patience.  People can identify with that and are tollerant of your mistakes.  You need to adjust your honesty after the first day to say that you are new here and trying to learn.  Good luck and remember to always try your best.  If you screw up admit your mistake and say you are sorry.