how much detail do you have to share when you call in sick? by Alison Green on January 29, 2018 A reader writes: We recently hired a new manager for our admin/support staff, and in her first team meeting she told us that when calling in sick, “Don’t just say ‘I’m not feeling well.’ I don’t want to hear that.” Apparently she wants a specific reason we are calling in sick. In an attempt to […] Read the full article →
Blue Apron: when you want someone else to figure out dinner by Alison Green on January 29, 2018 And now a word from a sponsor… I once read that most people have about eight recipes that they cook over and over, cycling through them and rarely adding anything new to the regular rotation. And those same eight recipes get pretty boring after a while … which is one of the many reasons I […] Read the full article →
I paid for fake references, Leap Year birthdays, and more by Alison Green on January 29, 2018 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I paid for fake references I did something stupid and paid for two fake references after a job interview. Well, as you could probably predict, it’s blowing up in my face a little bit. They both did not respond to the hiring manager in a […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – January 27-28, 2018 by Alison Green on January 27, 2018 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: Tepper Isn’t Going Out, by Calvin Trillin. You wouldn’t think a novel about parking would hold your interest, but it’s Calvin Trillin and […] Read the full article →
open thread – January 26-27, 2018 by Alison Green on January 26, 2018 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that 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. * If you submitted […] Read the full article →
candidates get snippy when I won’t talk to them before they apply, I found out my employee is job searching, and more by Alison Green on January 26, 2018 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Candidates get snippy when I won’t take their calls before they apply I’m solely responsible for doing all of my organization’s talent acquisition, including building out the processes and systems from the ground up. We have numerous positions open right now and I’m getting bombarded […] Read the full article →
these are bad ways to start your cover letter by Alison Green on January 25, 2018 People often really struggle over how to start a cover letter, and as a result they often end up with lines that are overly salesy, gimmicky, or just very tired. Here are popular opening lines that you should purge from your cover letters. * “If you are seeking…” — as in, “If you are seeking a […] Read the full article →
update: my mom keeps sending me job postings even though I’m happily employed by Alison Green on January 25, 2018 Remember the letter-writer whose mom kept sending her job postings even though she was happily employed? Here’s the update. First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to answer my question, and thank you to the AAM community for weighing in. Many of the comments were helpful and insightful, and I’m very appreciative. I […] Read the full article →
I hate working from home — how can I make this better? by Alison Green on January 25, 2018 A reader writes: I recently started my dream job about a month ago — great title, pay, and benefits in a field I am passionate about! The only problem — I now work from home. I know, I know, most people think of “work from home” as a huge perk, but I am finding it […] Read the full article →
waiting to see if I’ll be laid off, moving for a significant other, and more by Alison Green on January 25, 2018 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I may or may not get laid off in a month — what should I be doing now? I recently learned that there are plans for a large layoff in my company coming up next month. My company tends to do these every two years, […] Read the full article →