August 2014

are you sending the right signals at work?

When it comes to how you’re perceived at work, it might be tempting to think that the quality of your work is all that matters. But the reality is that your colleagues’ perceptions of you depend on much more than just the work you produce. Consciously or unconsciously, most people in a workplace pay attention […]

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my boss keeps pushing me to drink

A reader writes: Sometimes at work for employee birthdays or for special occasions, my boss will bring in wine or other alcohol, and after we close, they will drink and celebrate a little. I have always been offered the drinks and declined. Bet recently, even though I decline, my boss is pouring me a glass […]

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bad bosses, inappropriate interview questions, and more

Three articles of possible interest — * an interview with me at Idealist, where I answer questions they frequently get from job-seekers * a Consumerist article on what to do if you’re asked inappropriate personal questions at a job interview — and it’s one of the few to get it right about most of these questions not […]

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first-time manager? here’s what you need to know

If you’re new to managing, the skills that served you well up until this point probably aren’t going to be enough to bring you success managing a team. Managing well requires a whole different set of skills and behaviors. Here are the five most important things for you to know about doing it right. 1. […]

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did I offend my formerly friendly colleague?

A reader writes: I’m a clerk at a large law firm, and I’m quite friendly with my colleagues, including those outside of the practice groups (business services, IT, etc.). Almost a month ago, I was in prolonged contact with someone on the IT helpdesk over a computer issue I was having. Through the many phone […]

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an employer told me they don’t provide written offers

A reader writes: I had a job offer yesterday, which I accepted verbally over the phone. When the HR woman asked what my start date would be, I said two weeks after I receive the offer in writing. To which she replied, “We don’t do written offers.” What the heck? She then said, “I can […]

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what to do when you’re stuck in a job you hate

Everyone has moments of frustration with their jobs, but if you’re been unhappy for months, that’s not normal or healthy – and it’s a flag that you should be thinking about whether you need to make a change. But sometimes it’s not that simple: You might be convinced you won’t be able to find a […]

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