April 2010

should I extend my internship?

A reader writes: I am currently doing an unpaid internship that I am receiving college credit for this semester. I really enjoy working with my manager and after reading your previous post on extending the length of an internship, I decided to ask my manager about it. She was fine with it when I asked; […]

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how to use someone else’s contact when applying for a job

A reader writes: My question is about using a contact that is a few degrees removed from me personally. She is an executive at an organization where I recently applied for a job with whom my godmother briefly worked several years ago. My godmother instructed me to remind the executive who she was and ask […]

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the problem with job-hopping

Nick Corcodilos and Mark Suster take on the myth that “job hopping doesn’t matter,” and they’re right. Read Nick’s take and Mark’s take — both of which are excellent.

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are online application processes avoidable?

A reader writes: Is there a way to get around what seems to be some very ridiculous online application processes? Redundant questions (like what grade school you attended, and major declared!) make me want to put a shoe through my computer screen. I’m applying for positions that demand skilled labor and have whipped up some pretty attention-getting letter and resume […]

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just tell me your real name

Okay, this one is for college students and recent grads. Someone along the way, someone gave you the idea that it’s unprofessional to use anything but your full, given name, even if everyone in your life calls you something else. While this is sort of adorable, you should drop this idea. It’s disconcerting to go […]

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job offers and lengthy pre-planned vacation time

A reader writes: I find myself in a really tight position here. I am going to an interview tomorrow for a job that I would really like. However, in less than a month I’m going on a pre-planned family visit in China for a little over a month (May 21 to Jun 29). It is […]

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was this interviewer out of line?

A reader writes:  At a recent interview, I was asked to explain a project that I completed at my previous employer. I used the website redesign project as an example since it was an important and valued project for the company. I explained that I did 75% of the project, re-wrote content, and created three […]

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