short answer Saturday: 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on October 22, 2011 It’s short answer Saturday — seven short answers to seven short questions. We’ve got a weekend employee who’s going to get fired if she can’t attend weekday training classes, a frustrating vacation policy, a promotion yanked away at the last minute and more. By the way, I’ve only received two questions about workplace issues in […] Read the full article →
students: don’t make commitments you don’t intend to keep by Alison Green on October 21, 2011 A reader writes: I am a college student working my way through school to (hopefully, someday) work in journalism. Currently, I am working at a private school as an after-school worker to pay the bills. I enjoy working with the kids, but the school is incredibly demanding. I only work about 15 hours per week […] Read the full article →
how to let your staff know that someone was fired by Alison Green on October 21, 2011 For reasons that I will never understand, one of the most popular searches on this site is “how to announce an employee is leaving.” We’ve talked in the past about how to announce that (be straightforward and just say it), and we’ve talked about the even more inexplicable fact that some companies don’t announce it […] Read the full article →
how to deal with a racist coworker by Alison Green on October 21, 2011 A reader writes: I recently got hired at a very small company, only 7 employees including myself. I was hired about 3 months out of college, so this is my first job. I do like this position and I seem to have a good rapport with the other employees, who have all worked here for […] Read the full article →
can I challenge a job rejection? by Alison Green on October 20, 2011 A reader writes: I recently applied for a position that I believe I should have gotten based on my past knowledge, skills, abilities, as well as experience. Is there any way one can challenge an employer to their decision? What exactly do you have in mind? Insisting that they withdraw their offer to someone else […] Read the full article →
old manager berated me for not taking an offer at his new firm by Alison Green on October 19, 2011 A reader writes: I recently started looking for a new job, due to feeling stuck at my current level, with no signs of a promotion or change in sight. I contacted my previous manager, who is now at a different company, about a position at his firm I had interest in. We set up a […] Read the full article →
the most important interviewing advice you’ll ever hear by Alison Green on October 19, 2011 If you’re like a lot of job seekers, when you get called for an interview, you swing into preparation mode. You research the company, you try to predict what questions you’ll be asked, and you practice your answers until they’re flawless. But in the midst of all this effort to make a great impression, don’t […] Read the full article →
why are interviewers turned off when they hear how much time I spend on my job search? by Alison Green on October 18, 2011 A reader writes: I have been unemployed for 6 months and it’s been very challenging! I find looking for a job (a job that is the right fit for me) to be a full-time job! In the past 6 months, I have enrolled in career counseling and have attended resume and interview skills workshops, hidden […] Read the full article →
G is for gimmick by Alison Green on October 17, 2011 A reader writes: One of my recent ex co-workers asked me to review their cover letter. They used a gimmicky style where they used their name to highlight traits. An example would be “Don: D-Dedicated, O-On top of things, N-Never give up.” They are applying to a professional accounting firm. Is this professional? I know […] Read the full article →
firings in literature: should this book character have been fired? by Alison Green on October 17, 2011 A reader writes: I am a daily reader and great fan of your blog. I have a question about something I read in a Sue Grafton novel. (If you don’t want to answer a question about what somebody wrote in a novel, I understand!) One of the characters, Walker McKnally, is the VP for new […] Read the full article →