Worker’s negative reviews hinder job search

After eight years with the same company, I’m feeling discouraged about my future. My first boss was great, but I’ve had a difficult time working with my last two managers. Both of them gave me negative performance reviews, and I did not receive a pay increase.

Because of these issues, I have been applying for positions in other departments. With more than 20 years’ experience in my field, I am more than qualified for these lateral moves. However, I have not even been granted one interview.

I think the problem is that I am over 50 and lack a college degree. Our human resources manager insists that this makes no difference, yet no one will consider me for a transfer. I have started looking outside the company, but don’t particularly want to leave. Do you have any advice?

Although age and education sometimes present obstacles, I don’t believe that’s the difficulty here. Like many people faced with rejection, you are attributing the cause to factors beyond your control. While this natural tendency helps to protect self-esteem, it can also keep you from addressing critical issues.

Based on your description, the obvious barrier to a lateral move is your recent history of poor performance reviews. When someone applies for a transfer, the hiring manager naturally wants to learn about their background. With a record of negative appraisals and adverse management relationships, you could easily appear to be an unnecessary risk.

However, the good news is that, unlike age, this is a problem you may actually be able to solve. The first step is to clarify expectations with your boss and agree on a plan for meeting them. You might also consult with the HR manager, who should have already pointed out this issue.

Although changing perceptions takes time, once you are viewed as both capable and cooperative, your odds of transferring will greatly increase. But if this transformation seems too difficult, or if your reputation is damaged beyond repair, then a fresh start might be advisable, as long as you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

After taking a break to raise my kids, I recently returned to work as a salesperson in a clothing store. To my surprise, I actually love this job and enjoy helping women find flattering outfits. My only complaint is that I hate pressuring customers to sign up for our storebranded credit card.

Previously, we simply offered the card, then dropped the subject if the customer declined. But now management is bringing in a representative from the credit card company to coach us on how to increase our signups. Why are we being forced to do this?

The short answer to your question is “money,” because branded credit cards can produce a great deal of revenue. The pressure to sell them starts at the top, then trickles down to managers and staff. Since you are now receiving sales training, you will undoubtedly be pushing cards for quite a while.

At this point, you appear to have two options. Either develop a comfortable selling strategy that is successful enough to satisfy your manager or find another employer who sells clothes, not cards.