January 2013

managing a chatty employee when you need shorter answers

A reader writes: I have a question about how to handle an employee who I now oversee. This person has been with the company for 15 years and is very nice, but also very defensive. She is also a talker. If I ask her a question about something work-related, which I need to do several […]

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10 phrases that don’t belong in your cover letter

Think your cover letter is perfectly crafted? Check to make sure you’re not including any of these no-no’s in it. 1. “I meet the requirements for the position.” Hundreds of candidates will meet the requirements for the position. That’s not enough to get you a second look. You want to explain why you’re an excellent […]

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does my new job expect me to wear expensive designer clothes?

A reader writes: After 6 months of job searching, three offers, and two, yes two, offers falling through, I have finally secured a job: was given an offer, accepted the offer, new hire paperwork, background checks, and start date set. The position is a senior admin role for my department in a high-profile fundraising foundation […]

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did I blow this written test in a job interview?

A reader writes: I just had an interview today that involved a written test. The employer is a law firm and I was intertviewing for a legal assistant position. I was informed I would interview with 2 current paralegals and then take a written exam. I was given no information as to what the exam […]

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my coworker calls me rude when I’m simply being direct

A reader writes: About a month ago, I wrote to you about a coworker of mine who would ask me questions and then turn around and ask another colleague the same exact question. After I wrote you, this coworker stopped with that weird habit, but now she’s rubbing me the wrong way for a different […]

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