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Year: 2014

A critical co-worker requires direct confrontation

Q: “For the past few weeks, one of my co-workers has been watching me closely and finding fault with my work. She keeps telling me what to do, even though she’s not my supervisor. I actually have more experience than she does. Should I tell my manager about this? I don’t want him to think I’m complaining.” Jenny

What’s the smartest way to fill unemployment downtime?

Question: “I was laid off a month ago and now I spend a couple of hours a day job-searching, and the rest of the time just trying to fill in the day. There must be something productive I could be doing that will look cool on my résumé—but it can’t be too much of a time commitment that will interfere with being able to suddenly go off to an interview, or even start a new job on a moment’s notice. Any suggestions?” – Neil, Woodbury, Minn.

Avoid these Weird Al ‘word crimes’

Weird Al Yankovic made grammar funny with his “Word Crimes” parody of Robin Thicke’s hit song “Blurred Lines” and its accompanying video this summer. Weird Al brought up some good grammar points that are important for everyone to remember, says News to Live By Managing Editor Danny Rubin.

‘SNL’ writer knew to make demands from a power position

After three years as head writer for Saturday Night Live, Adam McKay was ready to quit in 2000. But before leaving SNL, McKay took his agent’s advice and ap­­proached Lorne Michaels with a series of de­­mands he’d need fulfilled to stay put. Employing the “least-interest” principle worked for him beautifully.

How to handle intimidating negotiations

Negotiating with an influential person may feel like fighting a losing battle. If you’re about to go toe-to-toe with someone who has more status or power than you, quash your feelings of helplessness by preparing yourself mentally beforehand, suggests Brazen Career­­ist writer Savannah Marie. She offers these six tips.