September 2009

feeling sick over typo in job application

A reader writes: I just made the worst mistake ever and I feel so sick about it. I found a job that I really want. I spent two days drafting my cover letter and adjusting my resume for this position. The directions on the job posting were the send your resume directly to the president […]

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are employers wary of the formerly self-employed?

A reader writes: I’m 35 years old and have been self-employed for the past five years as a sole proprietor. My business entails providing career and educational counseling to students and immigrants. I have a true “brick and mortar,” not a virtual office. Though I have enjoyed the challenges that come with running a business, […]

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why little things matter in your job search

I’ve been thinking lately about the nature of candidate mistakes in the hiring process. The fact is, everyone makes mistakes. A single mistake generally says very little about you. It’s patterns of mistakes that matter. But when you’re on a job search, a small blunder can take on far greater importance than it would in […]

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coworker accidentally called me — to complain about ME

A reader writes: I recently had a very strange situation at our office. Could I ask how you might handle the following situation? Let’s say you call a co-worker on his/her extension during office hours. You think you are talking with someone who is a friend, and you whisper something about another co-worker. Your comments […]

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does this seem weird?

A reader writes: Recently I applied online for a job as a librarian at a local career college. The college is part of a chain and this is a new local branch that just recently opened. I got a call today from the dean asking me to come in for an interview and something about […]

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dealing with a cranky, unpleasant coworker

A reader writes: A new employee (I’ll call her Dana) has just been added to our department this year. This person has worked in the company for almost two decades but wanted to transfer to our department before retiring. The “word” is that she had completely alienated all of her previous coworkers and was miserable, […]

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when a recruiter misleads you and wastes your time

A reader writes: I’ve been fully self-employed as a freelancer for about three and a half years. Over the last year, however, my income has dropped by a good bit (thanks to moving and to the economy). I’m doing fine with what I’m making, but it feels like that could change any time. In a […]

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interviewing with a company that doesn’t know what it wants

A reader writes: I’m in a bit of a post-interview limbo. After a month had passed on submitting an application, I received an out-of-the-blue phone interview (with HR) and an immediate scheduling for 5 hours (with 10 people!!) in-house interview. I was sick the day of the in-house, but I medicated and prepared to try […]

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being given only 4 hours to decide on a job offer

A reader writes: Earlier this year, I was interviewing for IT internships, and got into the final stages for a large international document handling company. I was one of six people, out of over 3000 applicants. I did thoroughly well throughout the day, but a few days later found that I did not in fact […]

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