I lied on my resume — now what? by Alison Green on October 28, 2020 A reader writes: I recently applied for a prestigious company looking to fill a role that’s rarely open — and I lied on my resume. Specifically, I lied about where I went to school. The company hires people from top-caliber schools and I thought swapping the name of my college would help me get my […] Read the full article →
my coworker yells and is disruptive — and we’re afraid to confront her by Alison Green on October 28, 2020 A reader writes: I work in a very small office with an open floor plan. Most of us are friendly enough and get along well, with the exception of Jane. Jane is one of the unhappiest, most negative people I have ever met. She complains almost constantly about anything and everything — and the complaining […] Read the full article →
my company wants me to Photoshop our customers, managers uses our meetings to vent, and more by Alison Green on October 28, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My company wants me to Photoshop our customers I am in my early 30’s and have floated from job to job my whole life. I finally have a career that I love, pays well, and offers room to grow. Part of my job consists of […] Read the full article →
how do I change my attitude toward my needy, frustrating employee? by Alison Green on October 27, 2020 A reader writes: I have a staff member who I’m just over, and I really need to change my attitude. In general she’s good at her job, but she’s just so needy. I’ve worked to address some of that, like not walking around the office talking with everyone and keeping them from work, how to […] Read the full article →
is it worth going to HR about a bad manager? by Alison Green on October 27, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve always been told by colleagues at various employers that if you have difficulties with your supervisor, you shouldn’t bother going to HR. People have told me that it’s HR’s job to protect the organization and your manager, even if he or she is a bully or violating policies and laws. I’ve […] Read the full article →
what should I expect from my staff at this point in the pandemic? by Alison Green on October 27, 2020 A reader writes: I am a middle manager at a library. I and all my staff members are required to report to work in person and have been doing so since the beginning of the summer. The public can’t come into our building but we deliver via curbside pickup. When we first got back, I […] Read the full article →
an aggressively atheist coworker, racy music on a work computer, and more by Alison Green on October 27, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My atheist coworker hassles me about my religion I’m a recent hire in a new job. I’m also a practicing Catholic. I consider my faith private, but not really some deep dark secret or anything. I did tell my supervisor because I may request leave […] Read the full article →
here’s an example of an excellent cover letter by Alison Green on October 26, 2020 I often get asked for examples of good cover letters, and a reader recently sent me a good one that I want to share. I’m always telling people “don’t just use your cover letter to summarize your resume — add something new.” This is a really nice example of how you can talk about your work […] Read the full article →
banning political talk at work isn’t the answer … but read the room by Alison Green on October 26, 2020 Every election year, my mail at Ask a Manager fills up with letters from people who are fed up with political talk at work. Often it’s not even about agreeing or disagreeing—people just want a space where they can focus on work without having to hearing political rants, even when they’re on the same side […] Read the full article →
my new team is taunting me because I have a nut allergy by Alison Green on October 26, 2020 A reader writes: I have a nut allergy and carry an epipen. It’s never been an issue in the 12 years I’ve worked for my company. I have recently been promoted to a new department. As usual, I explained to the manager I have a nut allergy but it doesn’t effect anything (i.e., it’s not […] Read the full article →