5 little things that annoy interviewers by Alison Green on December 29, 2008 Here’s a list of things that will secretly annoy your interviewer — none of these are necessarily deal-breakers, but they’re all things that your interviewer won’t appreciate. 1. Show up way too early. It’s good to plan to arrive early so you have a buffer against being late — but kill those last 20 minutes […] Read the full article →
dealing with an annoying coworker by Alison Green on December 29, 2008 A reader writes: My boss is my father, and I’ve worked for him for 4 years. We work in small office with two other employees who work for him. I get along really well with one of them, “Dave”; he’s worked with us for about 2 years now. The second of my coworkers, “Kelly,” was […] Read the full article →
calling to follow up after applying for a job by Alison Green on December 24, 2008 A reader writes: Thanks in advance for your help. I have been applying online for jobs with no success. I never hear back although I am sure to be qualified for the positions I am applying for. My question is: Is it poor etiquette to call the local company and speak to a manager regarding […] Read the full article →
new boss ignoring traditional schedule by Alison Green on December 21, 2008 A reader writes: I work at a company where the company handbook clearly states that the office hours are 9am to 5pm. We do not offer flex-time and everyone in the group works a straight 9am to 5pm. Recently, we got a new senior manager (not our direct boss but rather the boss’s boss) who […] Read the full article →
fired, resigned, or let go? by Alison Green on December 18, 2008 A reader writes: I am not sure if I was fired or let go. “My services were no longer needed.” After 8 years, they decided to add to my position the duties of company driving in my own vehicle. I was not hired needing a car. I told them I would be glad to fulfill […] Read the full article →
asking for a raise during layoffs by Alison Green on December 17, 2008 A reader writes: I work in the home building industry and well, you know what’s going on in that market right now! The admin assistant was let go because my company can’t afford to pay her anymore. I am a very efficient worker and so I am now doing my jobs (I already wear many […] Read the full article →
Yahoo!’s leaked layoff memo by Alison Green on December 16, 2008 Check out this leaked copy of the instructions Yahoo! sent to managers for conducting their 1,500 layoffs last week. There’s much to cringe at here, but I think the worst is this: “Yahoo! will not ask for reimbursement from the employee on any repayment obligations (relocation, sign-on bonus), provided the employee signs the Supplemental Release.” […] Read the full article →
where does mentoring pay off the most? by Alison Green on December 13, 2008 I’ve written before about how much I like informally mentoring people, and it’s generally an instinct that kicks in when I spot someone of a particular profile: young/relatively new to the work world, smart, motivated, and promising but inexperienced. And it seems obvious why — their talents seem worth investing the time to give them […] Read the full article →
resigning without 2 weeks notice by Alison Green on December 9, 2008 A reader writes: Six months ago I was laid off from my job where I was a salaried employee with benefits. Since then, I have found employment freelancing for a media company where I am paid hourly with no benefits. The people in my position do not have a contract or a set schedule so […] Read the full article →
crazy, shouting, crying, bullying boss by Alison Green on December 4, 2008 A reader writes: I am a working for a 69-year-old woman (owner of a small company) who feels threatened by me. She is highly insecure, and though I have been kind to her, she consistently tries to bully and manipulate me into confrontational (and totally irrational) conversations. The partner in the office noticed her feeling […] Read the full article →