i love me some humility by Alison Green on October 22, 2007 I have a pet peeve: job applicants who tell me in their cover letter that they are without any doubt “the best” candidate for the job. This amazingly bold statement is often made by candidates who, in fact, match very few of the requirements of the job. But even if that weren’t the case, come […] Read the full article →
Carnival of HR #18 by Alison Green on October 22, 2007 The Carnival of HR #18 is now up at the HR Capitalist. Check it out! Read the full article →
do you conduct entry interviews? by Alison Green on October 16, 2007 Exit interviews of employees who are leaving are a great way to collect information about how the organization can do things better — but why not get that information before the employee is halfway out the door? Even better, why not get it early on in an employee’s tenure, so you can use the information […] Read the full article →
reference requests when you can’t give a good one by Alison Green on October 15, 2007 I love to serve as a reference for most former employees. But I’ve also occasionally been asked to be a reference for employees who I can’t honestly recommend. Here are some ways to handle reference requests when you can’t recommend the candidate: 1. Whenever possible, warn the employee in advance that you won’t be able […] Read the full article →
was I ready for a career leap? by Alison Green on October 8, 2007 A reader writes: After spending about a year in a post-college entry-level position, I was recently terminated from a new job that I’d hoped was going to be a major step forward in my career. (We’re talking a nearly 35 percent pay raise and an operation three or four times bigger than where I started.) […] Read the full article →
update from reader irritated by her boss by Alison Green on September 28, 2007 I just received an update from the reader who wrote in recently about being fed up with her manager, who wasn’t giving her enough information about projects, didn’t give her time to talk with him, and engaged in a variety of other annoying habits. Several commenters and I advised her on ways to neutralize his […] Read the full article →
alternatives to firing by Alison Green on September 24, 2007 I believe in transitioning out employees who aren’t working out, but it doesn’t always have to be by firing. A few years ago, I had an employee whose work was pretty good (although not stellar) but who frequently got frustrated and resentful over several demands of the job, snapped at people, and constantly needed to […] Read the full article →
Carnival of HR #16 by Alison Green on September 19, 2007 Carnival of HR #16 is now up over at the Evil HR Lady, who continues to be my hero(ine). Check it out here. Read the full article →
where’s the raise I was promised? by Alison Green on September 19, 2007 A reader writes: I work for a small (13 staff members), quickly growing non-profit organization. When I received my original offer, I was told that there would be an informal performance AND salary review at 3 months. I made the very unwise decision to not negotiate my starting salary based on this promise, because I […] Read the full article →
7 ways interviewing is like dating by Alison Green on September 17, 2007 1. Desperation is not attractive. When you’re seeking a job, you’re not asking someone to do a favor for you; you’re offering the company something they want in exchange for getting something you want. 2. Be choosy and deliberative and don’t just take the first thing that comes along. 3. Make your interest personal, not […] Read the full article →