Dear J.T. & Dale: I just took a new job I truly love. However, I’m finding one drawback — everyone is really into social media. They all have Twitter accounts, and some have their own blogs. I’m more of an outdoorsy person. The problem is it’s all people talk about, so I’m having a hard time connecting on a personal level. I’m worried it will hurt my ability to develop relationships and move up. What should I do? — Chris Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m department head of a small state agency. Recently, our HR manager approached me to confide I should be aware two of my peers are actively trying to get me fired. Their plan is one of them will take over my (very successful) department and my salary could be used to enhance raises for the coming year. She thought I should “watch my back.” Since then, I was given a one-day suspension because of missing documentation in a report. I believe I am being forced out. How would you recommend I deal with this? — Paulette Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Last year I was dismissed from a job as a supervisor on a construction project. When I started the job, my immediate supervisor told me not to do anything without his OK. As the project proceeded, I pointed out problems, but was rebuffed. One subcontractor did a great deal of damage, and although I kept my supervisor up to date, he failed to deal with it. Eventually, the errors became public. The person supervising me was in charge of hiring and firing, so you know what happened to me. Now there are rumors circulating about the incident, and they all have me at the center of the difficulty. How do I deal with this in interviews? — Harlan Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: Every month or so, we offer up our suggestions for the best resources for careers or management. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m a manager with a staff of seven. The other day our general manager pulled me aside and started asking odd questions. Apparently an employee had called our corporate office anonymously and reported I am doing my job improperly, even committing fraud. My GM knows I am not like that, but she has to do her job, and now that I’ve been warned and written up, I am one strike away from being let go. Should I confront this “anonymous” employee, or let it slide? — Bill Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I normally am a very happy, enthusiastic employee. Getting along with ANYONE has never been an issue. However, I now have a co-worker who has been very hostile and makes rude comments that he pretends are “jokes.” About a year ago, I began keeping a journal of these incidents. As much as I would like to go to HR, when the incidents are isolated on paper, it appears that I am whining about practically nothing. How would it be handled if I did go to HR? — Gloria Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have a co-worker who is always a total sweetheart when other people are present. However, when we are alone, she yells at me and calls me incompetent. I mentioned this to another co-worker, and he told me I was nuts, that everyone loves her. We do the same job, and I’m guessing she is threatened by me. I’m not sure I can hack much more of this evilness. — Francesca Read the rest of this entry »

J.T.: Time for our annual highlights column, where we pull together the recent advice we believe will be most useful in the new year.

Dale: We hope your personal economy will be up in 2010, and we’ll be here to help. Meanwhile, for immediate advice, you can always go to JTandDale.com or CAREEREALISM.com. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just found out my co-worker is getting paid $5,000 more than I am. She got recommended for the job by her mom, who is friends with our boss. How do I approach my boss about this? I don’t think I can continue working here. — Charisse Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Two days ago, I was at a team meeting discussing a new client. The meeting ran long and I had an appointment after work, so I announced that I had to leave. I got a funny look from my boss and co-workers. The next day, everyone acted annoyed with me. My boss wouldn’t even look at me. I asked a co-worker what was up. (I’ve only been at the job two months.) She told me it’s an unwritten rule that you stay for the duration of a new-client meeting. I had never heard that from my boss, and I got kind of mad at first. But now I’m worried. Should I apologize to her? At the same time, shouldn’t the policy have been made clear? — David Read the rest of this entry »