January 2013

open thread

It’s our monthly open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. Picture source

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fast answer Friday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions

It’s fast answer Friday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Changing your title on your resume Is it ever ok to change your job title on a resume? My friend is up for a new position, but her title will be program assistant, since she’s had stints at other […]

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signs that you’re the problem

Sometimes when you’re unhappy at work, or with your career in general, the problem is your manager. There are some really crappy managers out there, and some really crappy workplaces. But sometimes, in some cases, the problem is … you. Here are some ways to tell. If you’ve hated every boss you’ve ever had, or even […]

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how honest and open should you be in interviews?

A reader writes: How honest and open should you be in an interview? For example, yesterday I had an in-person interview where both my interviewers were concerned that the job would not be a good match for my interests and skills. I deflected their concern at first, then later admitted that I shared it. Do […]

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my boss is always late for meetings

A reader writes: My boss’s boss is the director of my department. I usually have to attend one or two meetings per week that include her. In my nearly five years in this department, she’s never been on time to a meeting. Sometimes we have outside vendors in these meetings, and we just sit around […]

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terse answer Thursday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions

It’s terse answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go. 1. Asking job candidates, “Tell me about yourself” I am a manager for a small nonprofit organization and I am responsible for a lot of the hiring that we do. I feel like saying, “Tell me about yourself” is a […]

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dealing with a coworker’s loud personal phone calls

A reader writes: I share a cube wall with a young man who is a bit socially awkward. He doesn’t seem to understand normal boundaries and talks loudly about his personal life with his coworkers and on the phone all the time (and right now he’s doing an extended drumming session on his desk). His […]

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employee is making sexually suggestive remarks — to his boss

A reader writes: I’m writing on behalf of a friend. (She’s reviewed and approved this submission, by the way.) My friend was recently promoted from chief accountant at one hotel to assistant director of finance of another hotel managed by her company. She’s been at the new hotel for about a month now, and the […]

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how to overcome your fear of negotiating salary

Most job-seekers are thrilled to get a job offer but dread the salary negotiation that comes along with it. Especially for people who don’t do much negotiating in their daily lives, negotiating salary can be intimidating and many people would rather simply accept an employer’s first offer than push for more. But overcoming your fears […]

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