how your company should handle flu season at work by Alison Green on February 18, 2014 If coughing and sneezing are familiar noises in your workplace right now, it’s a sign that your company isn’t handling flu season correctly – and is risking illness sidelining your whole office. Too often, employees come to work sick because they don’t want to be seen as slacking off or because they don’t have sick […] Read the full article →
after I applied for a job, the HR rep viewed my LinkedIn profile — should I follow up with her? by Alison Green on February 18, 2014 A reader writes: I recently submitted my resume and supporting documents for an executive assistant position with our local government that I am incredibly excited about for a variety of reasons (career advancement, community outreach, etc.). On Friday, I received an email from LinkedIn indicating that the HR director who is the contact point for […] Read the full article →
I missed the deadline for a video interview, giving feedback to a part-time intern, and more by Alison Green on February 18, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I give feedback to a part-time intern who isn’t proactive and has a hard-to-read demeanor? Now that I’m (sort of) supervising someone for the first time, I’m trying to do it properly, based on your advice! I work at a tiny nonprofit with only […] Read the full article →
how to fire your oldest client by Alison Green on February 17, 2014 A reader writes: I’m a web copywriter, and my oldest client (I’ve been with her for 6+ years) is like a family member to me. A family member who drives me nuts, is incredibly high maintenance, and likes to take all the credit for my successes, but also one who I admire and appreciate. After […] Read the full article →
how can I get out of having lunch with coworkers? by Alison Green on February 17, 2014 A reader writes: How can I successfully get out of lunches with coworkers? When I say no, they try for another date. And another and another. How can I politely say, “I’m not interested in spending my one work-free hour in the day with coworkers?” I don’t like spending the money and I don’t like […] Read the full article →
sharing resumes with coworkers, should I have to plan a going-away party for my cubicle mate, and more by Alison Green on February 17, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it okay to share job applicants’ resumes with my coworkers? I’m in the midst of the hiring process for the first time in my role as a manager, and the wonderful woman whose position we’re filling (due to retirement) mentioned that she’d be curious […] Read the full article →
How can I get my staff to stop socializing in front of clients, interviewing with a noticeable rash, and more by Alison Green on February 15, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How can I get my staff to stop socializing in front of clients? Can you suggest a few phrases I can use to redirect my team during quieter periods of time when they all get chatting about their personal lives? I work in a veterinary […] Read the full article →
you won’t find these 7 skills on a job description — but you need them by Alison Green on February 14, 2014 While job descriptions often focus on predictable lists of skills – this software program, that degree, and so forth – the reality is that success in a role often comes down to qualities that rarely show up on job descriptions. Take a look at these seven crucial traits that can make or break you in […] Read the full article →
I’ve been breaking into my company’s computer network by Alison Green on February 14, 2014 A reader writes: I’ve been working as an accountant in a corporate environment (1000~1500 employees) for more than 4 years. Although I am an accountant, I have a strong IT background, somehow exceptional compared to accountants, but not enough to make me an IT specialist. The story is.. Soon after I started 4 years ago, […] Read the full article →
open thread by Alison Green on February 14, 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 →