how should new managers be trained? by Alison Green on October 30, 2007 It’s practically cliche at this point to point out that new managers don’t get enough training in the art of management, but I haven’t seen a lot delineating exactly what topics new managers should be trained in. Here’s what I have on my outline for training new managers: 1. What exactly is a manager responsible […] Read the full article →
offer never materialized by Alison Green on October 25, 2007 A reader writes: I have worked for the last five years as a non-traditional, part-time student assistant at a campus job while working on my “four year” undergraduate degree. The very unofficial title I’ve earned over the years is “media guy”; I transfer nearly century old films and audio items to digital, more accessible mediums […] Read the full article →
getting the raise you’ve earned by Alison Green on October 25, 2007 A reader writes: So what happens after you explain and show the measurable amounts (just shy of $1 million savings in the current year) you have saved the company…..and you have it explained away as “you did your job” when a pay raise is discussed? As a leader I absolutely understand this statement, but as […] Read the full article →
rejecting job candidates by Alison Green on October 23, 2007 In a post today, Penelope Trunk talks about the advantages of rejecting bad candidates on the spot — for instance, telling them at the end of the phone interview that they’re not among the strongest candidates and you’re going to be focusing on others. I will occasionally do this, but more often than not, even […] Read the full article →
what are managers responsible for? by Alison Green on October 22, 2007 Later this week I will write about how I train new managers, but first let’s answer this question: What are managers responsible for? It sounds simple, but all too often people can’t give a comprehensive answer. Yes, managers are responsible for “getting stuff done,” but let’s break it down. Managers are responsible for ensuring the […] Read the full article →
i love me some humility by Alison Green on October 22, 2007 I have a pet peeve: job applicants who tell me in their cover letter that they are without any doubt “the best” candidate for the job. This amazingly bold statement is often made by candidates who, in fact, match very few of the requirements of the job. But even if that weren’t the case, come […] Read the full article →
Carnival of HR #18 by Alison Green on October 22, 2007 The Carnival of HR #18 is now up at the HR Capitalist. Check it out! Read the full article →
do you conduct entry interviews? by Alison Green on October 16, 2007 Exit interviews of employees who are leaving are a great way to collect information about how the organization can do things better — but why not get that information before the employee is halfway out the door? Even better, why not get it early on in an employee’s tenure, so you can use the information […] Read the full article →
reference requests when you can’t give a good one by Alison Green on October 15, 2007 I love to serve as a reference for most former employees. But I’ve also occasionally been asked to be a reference for employees who I can’t honestly recommend. Here are some ways to handle reference requests when you can’t recommend the candidate: 1. Whenever possible, warn the employee in advance that you won’t be able […] Read the full article →
was I ready for a career leap? by Alison Green on October 8, 2007 A reader writes: After spending about a year in a post-college entry-level position, I was recently terminated from a new job that I’d hoped was going to be a major step forward in my career. (We’re talking a nearly 35 percent pay raise and an operation three or four times bigger than where I started.) […] Read the full article →