is it OK to look very different from your online photos? by Alison Green on January 11, 2022 A reader writes: I’ve started a new job (thanks to lots of great advice on negotiating job offers from your site!) which involves a lot of networking with partners within and outside of my organization, and because I’m new I’m meeting people for the first time. In preparation for a scheduled meeting, I try to […] Read the full article →
I got in trouble for wearing the same dress every day by Alison Green on January 10, 2022 A reader writes: I have a question about work attire and what I consider my “work uniform.” I work in a professional office of about 12 people. We’re in a small town and therefore are a bit more casual. The office dress code is officially business casual, and we have casual Fridays where most people, […] Read the full article →
my partner and I both work from home … and we’re moving in together by Alison Green on November 18, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My partner and I are planning to move in together. We both work full time M-F. I currently work from home about three days per week, but that is mostly optional. I am required to come into the office one day per week and can […] Read the full article →
I’m working 2 full-time remote jobs — is this unethical? by Alison Green on November 3, 2021 A reader writes: The WSJ and other media outlets have been reporting on white-collar workers who work from home, working two full-time jobs at once. The thinking is, since you don’t have to be physically present in an office and can theoretically manage your own schedule, why not earn two incomes and fly under the […] Read the full article →
I’m hypersensitive to criticism — how do I fix this? by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 I’m on vacation today. This was originally published in 2018. A reader writes: I am currently working as a receptionist for the next few months until I complete my schooling. I have been dealing with what I can only describe as hypersensitivity when it comes to feedback or criticism about my work. When I hear […] Read the full article →
can I tell clients I don’t talk on the phone? by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 A reader writes: I run my own small graphic design business. I work with some regular clients, but a lot of my work is one-off projects for small business clients. I’m always open to new clients, though I also have a steady stream of work, enough to be comfortable. Here’s the problem: often, a client […] Read the full article →
how do I manage an unmanageable workload? by Alison Green on September 16, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work in Big 4 Accounting, in tax. This industry is notorious for long hours during busy season and lack of work/life balance. My firm has flexibility, good benefits, and nice people; so, despite the hours, I’m reasonably happy. While I dream of taking a […] Read the full article →
my boss told me not to give greeting cards to older men because it could seem sexual by Alison Green on August 31, 2021 A reader writes: This happened back in April, but I’m talking about it now because a coworker brought attention to it. I’m a female junior employee in my early twenties who just graduated with my bachelor’s last year. My manager at my office job is in his fifties. This past April, I gave Easter cards […] Read the full article →
inside the weird world of out-of-office messages by Alison Green on August 30, 2021 With many people squeezing in vacation time before the summer ends, this is the season of out-of-office messages – most of them comprised of similarly bland boilerplate (“I am off work until the 7th and will answer your message upon my return”) but some of them decidedly more interesting. In a sea of generic out-of-office […] Read the full article →
how do I keep working in a job I hate while I look for a new one? by Alison Green on August 18, 2021 A reader writes: I’m in a role that is relatively new to me but I like quite a bit. However, due to a lot of factors, I am disenchanted with my employer. I am underpaid (getting my salary to the market range would be a 30-40% increase), have many internal blockers to success, and am […] Read the full article →