February 2018

my coworker with imposter syndrome actually does suck at her job

A reader writes: I am a woman and have a female coworker who, like most of us (myself included), struggles with impostor syndrome. Here’s the thing, Alison. She is LEGITIMATELY TERRIBLE at her job. She’ll bungle something up and someone will need to go bail her out. Projects that should take two weeks take a […]

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don’t put “sexual purity” on your resume, boss left a private email open during a screenshare, and more

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Don’t mention your “sexual purity” on your resume I am reviewing law student applications for a summer internship/clerkship position at a large public law firm. One applicant included, among other standard experience stuff, that he was a “Co-Leader of a Young Men’s Sexual Purity Accountability […]

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weekend free-for-all – February 24-25, 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: Asymmetry, by Lisa Halliday. It’s hard to talk about this without spoiling it, but it’s two seemingly disparate stories that may surprise you in […]

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open thread – February 23-24, 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 […]

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how many times can I ask a networking contact for help?

A reader writes: I was wondering how many times it is appropriate to reach out to networking contacts for informational interviews, referrals, connections, etc.? I have been searching on and off over the past two years due to being laid off and then moving to a new city for my spouse’s job opportunity. I don’t […]

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my boss refused to call an ambulance for an injured coworker

A reader writes: I’m wondering if I could get your take on a situation that happened at the elementary school where I teach back in September. It’s been a few months since it happened, but it’s still on everyone’s minds. On the first day of school, one of my fellow teachers tripped and fell backwards […]

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listen to episode 1 of the Ask a Manager podcast

I’m excited to announce today’s launch of the Ask a Manager podcast, from Anchor FM and Penguin Random House. You can listen to the first episode above or on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Anchor FM. Please subscribe! (Those links will take you straight to it.) Each week, I’ll bring letter-writers on the show to talk […]

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my coworkers think I’m an intern … but I’m not

A reader writes: I’m in my first post-college job, at a large publishing company in a major city. My position is tailored for recent college graduates, with free workshops, the chance to sit in on exec-level meetings, and opportunities to do work in multiple different departments. It’s a great gig! However, because of the unique […]

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