February 2009

job changed on first day of employment

A reader writes: I submitted my resume in response for an ad to be a Risk Management Training Specialist for an insurance company who performs safety, health and risk management training. I went through a three-step interview for the position of Risk Management Training Specialist. I was offered and accepted the Risk Management Training Specialist […]

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job candidates who plagiarize

Here is some advice. If you’re applying for a job, and the application process includes a written exercise, do not plagiarize your written exercise from materials you find online. And then, when the person reviewing your exercise points out to you that entire paragraphs are word-for-word the same as what can be found online, do […]

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accepted offer, then backed out, now wants back in

A reader writes: I applied for two jobs. I accepted the first job and then declined the offer and accepted the other. The one I accepted was closer to home and every other Monday I would have off. Unfortunately, the other job did not offer this. Now I feel as though I should have taken […]

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should you switch jobs in a bad economy?

You hate your job. The work is boring, your boss annoys you, you share an office with someone who insists on taking all her calls on speaker phone, and you’re pretty sure the guy down the hall uses your photo as his screensaver. Or maybe you like your job okay but you saw a higher-paying […]

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should you add IQ or Myers Briggs to your resume?

A reader writes: Applicants always want their resume to stand out. Well, I know that a few of the companies I have worked for know of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type test. Although it is not seen as “professional” (yet), I have seen it posted in many settings and have even seen workshops on this stuff. […]

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interviewer wants reference from current employer

A reader writes: I am in the midst of applying for a new job. I have interviewed three times with a prospective employer and have been told that I am one of the final candidates for the position. The HR rep contacted me and asked if they can contact my current manager/supervisor for a reference. […]

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boss threatening to contact prospective employer

A reader writes: I have been working at the job from hell (people always burp, cuss, yell at each other, etc.) since mid-November. Even though the job is outside of my educational training, I took it because of the poor economy and it’s the only job I could get. Since I knew I wouldn’t be […]

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asking boss for a loan

A reader writes: I started working for my new employer on September 15, 2008. I was pregnant and I had to go on maternity leave on January 1, 2009. The company did not pay me while I was on maternity leave. I have financial problems and could not pay rent. The owner switched off my […]

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boss makes schedule without checking with employee

A reader writes: Since I have worked at the company where my stepfather and stepbrother also work, my boss has written me in for shifts without asking me if I am available. Occasionally he asks a family member rather than me, but lately he has not even been doing that. I’m 17 and have been […]

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managing women from a douchebag’s perspective

I’m not in the habit of leaving angry comments on other people’s blogs, but Brazen Careerist today features a post called “Managing Women: From A Guy’s Perspective,” and I couldn’t help myself. From what I can tell, it was written by a 14-year-old boy. It includes gems like: All women love chivalry! Male bosses should […]

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