September 2008

should you tell your boss you’re job-hunting?

A reader writes: I have a good relationship with my boss and enjoy my current job and employer, but I’m about to interview for another job that is both a career “step up” and a shorter commute. The organization requires an “assessment” on a Wednesday followed by initial interviews that Friday, which means I would […]

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how to deal with a micromanager

One of the most common complaints that people have about their boss is that they’re being micromanaged — their work is being overly scrutinized, the boss is checking up on things they don’t need to check up on, and they generally feel they’re not trusted. First, let’s define micromanagement.  There’s a difference between hands-on management […]

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stuck in my backlog

I am now officially so far behind on answering questions that I have given up all hope of ever catching up. I have added a disclaimer to the sidebar warning that this may happen, yet I still feel strangely like a slacker.

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questions from a recent grad

A reader writes: I am a recent grad, working as a full-time intern in the field of my undergrad major. I couldn’t have asked for a more nurturing and empathetic department; they give me semi-challenging jobs, find time to answer my questions, give me many opportunities to take initiative, and really prioritize me to have […]

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answering “have you ever been fired?” in an interview

A reader writes: I was in a job interview the other day and everything was going well, until I was asked if I had ever been fired, and if so what were the reasons. Having never been asked that question before, my initial reaction was to feel that my privacy was being invaded and that […]

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company cuts pay after one week

A reader writes: I was just hired for a job last week, a job which I really enjoy thus far and it looks like a job that I will continue to enjoy. Though it is not my “dream job,” it is pretty good so far. I was hired in at what the company calls 3/4 […]

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dealing with a bad reference

One of the most common questions I receive here is what to do about a previous boss who is likely to give you a bad reference. First, yes, it’s legal for an employer to give a negative reference as long as it’s factually accurate. It’s true that some companies have policies that they will only […]

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interviews obtained by force

A reader writes: I work for a large corporation. I have been a unionized employee for over 12 years and have had 4 different jobs with in the city, throughout my career there. There was a job posting for cemetery clerk in May, and I applied for it. I learned shortly after that the position […]

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following up when you have a friend on the inside

A reader writes: I have been out of the corporate world for two years. I have been a stay-at-home-mom and have only done some (very) PT work, here and there. But recently I have found myself in a position to where I need to return to work full-time. One of my best friends works for […]

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cold calling versus sending a resume

A reader writes: I am a recent graduate who is still in the process of looking for a job. My interest is in event planning and I realize this is a hard field to get into without any experience. I have done a couple of internships and have a few companies that I would like […]

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