#CareerConvos™️with Nikki

You’re tuned in to #CareerConvos™️with Nikki: unfiltered conversations about what it takes to build a career you actually want in corporate America. If you’re an accountant, analyst, finance manager, controller, or just trying to figure out what’s next in your career… you’re in the right place.

We talk about navigating layoffs, dealing with microaggressions, managing up, and advocating for yourself in rooms where no one looks like you. Grab your coffee, an old fashioned, or some lemon mint water and let's get into this conversation.
If you haven't already, join thousands of corporate employees who seek out my career advice to navigate the things they deal with at work everyday with #CareerConvos™️365 Days of Career Development. Each week I'm giving you a new piece of career advice plus career development resources you can use right now.

And of course as a Black CPA, I must address the accounting pipeline issues, the fear future CPAs feel about the CPA exam, and how my proven CPA exam review and coaching programs have helped CPA candidates finally pass those exams they keep failing. CPA candidates tell me my CPA exam coaching program helps them easily understand difficult accounting concepts and they appreciate my way of CPA exam review that's less boring.

You'll come across special edition episodes of #CareerConvos™️with Nikki as I'll occassionally pause (like you should at work) and talk about wellness, money, kids, entrepreneurship and more. I'm glad that you found the #CareerConvos™️with Nikki podcast and excited for you to come along for the ride.

Make sure we're connected - I hang out on Threads (@nikkwinstoncpa), LinkedIn, and on YouTube. 

Are you looking for answers to questions about your career? Email me your career questions and I'll answer on an upcoming episode of #CareerConvos™️ with Nikki. 

Career Q&A: should I still give notice if I leave a job because of a toxic workplace?

My answer is YES.

Don’t let a toxic workplace dictate how you carry yourself. Handle professional situations with grace no matter what. For these reasons:

  1. Somebody’s coming into that job after you. Don’t make it harder for them because of what you had going on. In fact, make it easier for them because they’re about to be dealing with the same problems you dealt with. 
  2. Once you allow the toxic workplace to rub off on you and impact your behavior, you’ll carry that, in some aspect, to a new role and worse…
  3. Into your personal life. How many times have you complained to a friend or family member about the fuckery you’re dealing with at work? Now you’re spreading the negativity that you’re trying to get away from to people you love. 
  4. On that same note, I know you got some small words you wanna say to your manager. Are you willing to degrade your brand over it? It’s really not worth it and won’t make a difference because… point 5!
  5. The leaders in a toxic workplace already know their workplace is toxic, yet they do nothing about it. 

Toxic work environments permeate the ecosystem of a business. It shows in how the company treats employees, through interactions with customers, even how they pay their bills. 

So the job didn’t turn out to be what you thought it was. You wound up working for a manager that shouldn’t have been a manager. It happens, it’s OK. 

The takeaways:
  1. Don’t let a bad work environment define you. Being in toxic work environments is a reminder to be more selective in the jobs you choose. 
  2. Don’t take a job because it’s convenient or pays more - everything is negotiable. 
  3. Preserve your brand, even if you don’t like your coworkers. All it takes is a hot second to destroy your reputation. Don’t buy in to the pettiness. 

You have to develop the ability to work with people you don’t like. That’s a deeper conversation. 

What if an interviewer asks you why you’re leaving your job? Would you say it’s because of a toxic workplace or something else? We'll talk about that on another episode.



Let’s keep the conversation going at nikkwinstoncpa.com/career

If this episode reflects what you’re living through at work, book time on my calendar for career coaching.  We’ll talk through the realities of your current job, what’s shifting around you, and how to position yourself for the job you love - and loves you back.

CPA exam coaching sessions are available on my CPA Exam page. I've also shared CPA exam coaching session replays, exam tutorials, and the exact steps I took to pass the CPA exam over there.

Make sure we're connected - I hang out on Threads (@nikkwinstoncpa), LinkedIn, and on YouTube. 
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Creators and Guests

Host
NikkWinstonCPA
Helping you elevate your career & finances CPA Exam Coach | Accounting Exec | Writer | Host of #CareerConvos with Nikki Podcast Collab & Connect👇🏽

What is #CareerConvos™️with Nikki?

#CareerConvos™️ with Nikki is a top-rated career podcast hosted by Nikki Winston, CPA. Centered on lived-in career advice, Nikki speaks to accountants, CPA candidates, and finance professionals navigating the realities of Corporate America. With a focus on career development for Black professionals and accountants, each episode dives into workplace dynamics, personal branding, leadership, job search strategy, and includes special series covering CPA exam prep, job interview guidance, and 365 days of professional development.