wee answer Wednesday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on September 26, 2012 It’s wee answer Wednesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. How many interviews should it take to find a job? How many interviews do people have, on average, before being given an offer? I just graduated, and am looking for my first full-time job. I’ve been lucky enough to […] Read the full article →
6 reasons employers won’t tell you why they didn’t hire you by Alison Green on September 26, 2012 If you’re like many job seekers, you wonder why employers aren’t more forthcoming with feedback when they don’t hire you. Why are rejection letters so vague, and why are so many requests for feedback met with platitudes like “your qualifications were impressive, but we identified other applicants who were a better fit”? While some hiring […] Read the full article →
interviewer told me I’m being wasted in my current job by Alison Green on September 26, 2012 A reader writes: I interviewed recently for an internal (lateral) transfer. The interview went extremely well. However, I knew that another internal employee (with far more years at this organization) was also interviewing for the position. I thought I had mentally prepared myself for not getting the position – indeed, I found out this morning […] Read the full article →
what can I do about a coworker who never wears a bra? by Alison Green on September 25, 2012 A reader writes: I work at a busy nonprofit with about 30 staff members on site. I don’t see everyone each day; I’m in a pretty small department. I have a coworker (different department) who I rarely see, but EVERY time I see her, she isn’t wearing a bra. Not only that, but her shirts […] Read the full article →
should I have blown off a family dinner to attend a work event? by Alison Green on September 25, 2012 A reader writes: I thought you could help settle a dispute my husband and I just had. My boss just now invited me to a reception to a professional conference happening this weekend. I was thrilled to be asked, but politely (and apologetically) declined because we have a long-standing dinner reservation with my husband’s family […] Read the full article →
recruiters won’t give me any specifics about the jobs I’ve applied for by Alison Green on September 25, 2012 A reader writes: I’ve been doing a casual job search for about five months now. I’m employed full time with a decent job, but I just don’t like it. Generally I apply directly to the company, but I’ve seen a few jobs I’m interested in posted through a recruiter/direct-hire staffing agency. When I do apply […] Read the full article →
update from the reader whose boss started a mandatory book club by Alison Green on September 25, 2012 Remember the letter-writer last month whose boss had started a mandatory company book club, and she was annoyed? I told her to keep an open mind about it, as long as the book related to her work in some way. Well, I was wrong. Here’s her update: I am the poster whose boss started a […] Read the full article →
dealing with a snarky coworker by Alison Green on September 24, 2012 A reader writes: I started my current position almost 2 months ago. It’s a surprisingly small company, so everyone sees everyone else usually once a day (some are in and out of the office a lot). I pride myself on forging relationships and getting along with just about everyone, whether they are in my department, […] Read the full article →
why you shouldn’t use counteroffers to prevent employees from leaving by Alison Green on September 24, 2012 You thought your week was going smoothly, but then one of your key employees walked into your office and announced that she’s resigning. If you’re like many managers, you panic and start thinking about what you can offer to get her to stay. Stop right there. Making a counteroffer to stop an employee from taking […] Read the full article →
employee won’t stop hugging people by Alison Green on September 24, 2012 A reader writes: What is considered excessive when it comes to friendly displays of affection in the workplace? We have a gregarious female employee who regularly solicits hugs from people — not from other employees but from outside frequent visitors and volunteers who come into the office. One part of this employee’s job is to […] Read the full article →