can I accept a job knowing I plan to leave it in a few months? by Alison Green on February 28, 2014 This was originally published on October 23, 2010. A reader writes: I have recently been offered a job with a company locally and have accepted it. However the hiring process a extensive background investigation is needed and will not be able to start this position until the January of 2011. I have more recently been […] Read the full article →
open thread by Alison Green on February 28, 2014 It’s the Friday 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. Read the full article →
my office-mate’s breast pump is too noisy, negotiating a 4-day work week, and more by Alison Green on February 28, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The noise of my office-mate’s breast pump is driving me crazy My office-mate and I are both women in our late 20s. She came back from maternity leave about three weeks ago. My workplace switched offices around about 7 months ago and we chose to […] Read the full article →
how do background checks work? by Alison Green on February 27, 2014 A reader writes: I have a question about background screenings. You’ve advised readers before that it’s okay to omit certain university degrees from their resume (especially if they’ve earned more than one) if it was going to hurt their job search. How does a background screening work? Do hiring managers check each university/degree listed one […] Read the full article →
can you leave your home address off your resume? by Alison Green on February 27, 2014 A reader writes: I was wondering if you agree with the advice to keep your home address off if your resume? I do look at addresses on resumes, to see if it’s realistic for someone to get to the job or assess whether they will be needing a relocation package. In general, I think job […] Read the full article →
how to improve your presentation skills — without an “eccentric professor” vibe by Alison Green on February 27, 2014 I’m throwing this one out to readers to help with. A reader writes: Do you (or the readers) have any tips for improving presentation skills? I have just started delivering presentations, and while it’s not something that comes naturally (I’m an introvert by nature, happiest buried in my own work), it’s something I’m very keen […] Read the full article →
my medical condition flared up just before an interview, being asked to resign before moving part-time, and more by Alison Green on February 27, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My medical condition flared up just before an interview I suffer from a condition known as vasovagal syndrome. It only flares up occasionally but when it does, it causes frequent blood pressure shifts and fainting spells. I became symptomatic on my way in for an […] Read the full article →
my coworker wants me to give him a false reference and lie about his salary by Alison Green on February 26, 2014 A reader writes: There is at least one coworker with whom you hit it off with since day one and you trust and help each other. I have a coworker like this. Last week, this coworker took me out to lunch and told me he was planning to start interviewing, because he found that he […] Read the full article →
5 mistakes smart people make at work by Alison Green on February 26, 2014 You might be the smartest and most capable person on your team at work – but that doesn’t always mean that your career will go well. Smart people make serious workplace mistakes too, ones that can have lasting implications for their careers. Here are five mistakes smart people can be in danger of making at […] Read the full article →
head of job bank outed for sending nasty emails to job seekers by Alison Green on February 26, 2014 A reader sent me this story, which blew up in Cleveland yesterday: A communications exec who runs her own email list of local job openings — and advertises herself as a “job bank house mother” — just got outed for sending really nasty emails to job seekers who asked to subscribe to her list and/or […] Read the full article →