June 2013

my client won’t stop asking about my dating life

A reader writes: I work in sales. I recently landed an account that my boss was really after me to get. I went to have a business lunch with a person from their organization prior to assuring their business, and he asked me about my dating life (this man is old enough to be my […]

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how to interview a really nervous job candidate

A reader writes: Any tips for interviewing someone who’s really, visibly nervous and isn’t able to relax as the interview progresses? I conducted an interview like this today, and I did everything professional I could think of to help this person relax and be themselves. I was friendly, talked about myself a little to give […]

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how do employers verify your previous salary?

A reader writes: How does a company go about verifying your self-reported salary history for a background check? I have a first round interview with a large, well-known firm, and they sent me forms to consent to their background check. On it, there is a large portion dedicated to salary history. I have already resigned […]

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ask the readers: working with a seriously ill manager

I’m throwing this one out to the readers to answer. A reader writes: My manager, who everyone in our department adores, has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and recently has started radiation treatment. From what he and our HR department have told us, he will be working on a flex and […]

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get the words “core competencies” off your resume

If you have a section on your resume called “core competencies,” please call it something else. You do not need that horrible piece of jargon on your resume, and its presence there instantly makes hiring managers’ eyes glaze over. Call it a profile, call it a summary or highlights, I don’t care — but no […]

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