open thread – January 31, 2020 by Alison Green on January 31, 2020 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 →
yawning at work, asking for a fancier computer, and more by Alison Green on January 31, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Yawning at work The letter you recently published on the klutzy, unpolished boss might have given me a bit of a complex! I am a naturally very tired person. A lot of this has to do with my mental health (which I am working through […] Read the full article →
how should I handle job candidates who cut me off, are long-winded, or answer the wrong question? by Alison Green on January 30, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve just finished up *yet another* interview where I haven’t been able to get to all my questions because the candidates just. keep. talking. I’m female and in a technical field. I am not, by any stretch, a shrinking violet. The candidates guilty of this behavior are all men. At this point, […] Read the full article →
the salted coffee, the phantom pigeon, and other interview mortifications by Alison Green on January 30, 2020 Last week I asked you to share stories of bombed interviews and other job search mortifications. Here are some of the stand-outs. 1. “I was interviewing for basically a dream job and was asked, ‘What accomplishment are you most proud of?’ I proceeded talked about how proud I was for maintaining a healthy long term […] Read the full article →
how do I build a professional wardrobe when I’m just starting out? by Alison Green on January 30, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m (she/her) going to be graduating and beginning work next year. I’ll be working in a more professional environment than I have in the past, and I’m thinking about building up my wardrobe. What are good pieces to have? I’ve been buying blazers and button-down […] Read the full article →
employee accidentally ruined his boss’s laptop, political bumper stickers at work, and more by Alison Green on January 30, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee accidentally ruined his boss’s personal laptop — who should pay? I have a sticky situation at work. I manage an employee who is a manager – let’s call him Joe – and he has several employees who report to him. Last week during a […] Read the full article →
my klutzy, unpolished boss is like a bull in a china shop by Alison Green on January 29, 2020 A reader writes: I work closely with my boss of 2.5 years, who is a smart, capable woman in her mid-50s. If we’re talking strictly substance and the merits of her ideas, she is an excellent team lead and representative of our department in the broader context of the organization (healthcare). With this said, she […] Read the full article →
should managers ask or tell when assigning work? by Alison Green on January 29, 2020 A reader writes: When dealing with people who work directly for me, should I ask them to do things or tell them to do things? Does telling someone to do something in a work environment come off as harsh? I always ask them to do things, but I’m starting to feel like asking them kind […] Read the full article →
my coworker has overstepped with my eating disorder by Alison Green on January 29, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve battled an eating disorder my whole life and it tends to come on when I am experiencing stress in situations that are out of my control. I recently ended my relationship with my fiancé of nine years which, as a result, triggered me to lapse back into old behavior. I thankfully […] Read the full article →
boss wants us to use personal social media for marketing, we can only take one week of vacation at a time, and more by Alison Green on January 29, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Boss wants us to use our personal social media for marketing I work for a very good company. We’re all proud of the work we do. I’ve worked my butt off and I’ve been recognized and rewarded. I’m not a partner or owner, just an […] Read the full article →