Guess what? When a prospective employer schedules a phone interview with you, you are supposed to answer the phone at the scheduled time. You are not supposed to call back half an hour later sounding like you just woke up and ask if you can do it now, as we had two recent candidates do. […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: The other day I was looking through coworkers’ schedules on our office’s Outlook calendar to set up a meeting. Looking at my boss’ calendar, I noticed that earlier in the week he had an appointment with a coworker “Karen” entitled “Karen on Chris” (I would be Chris). Looking at the time of […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: My organization is planning a large anniversary party that will be held on a Saturday (non work day). Employees are expressing concern if it is mandatory they attend, as there is another event in town occurring that night many have already purchased tickets for. Can our president make it mandatory employees attend? […]
Read the full article →Here is a way to gain instant credibility with your boss: Tell her about a mistake that reflects poorly on you. People’s instinct is so often to hide or soften this kind of thing, but in fact the more blunt you are, the better you will come across. Just say it: “I really screwed something […]
Read the full article →I’ve written in the past about how firings should be done — and believe me when I tell you that that’s learned from hard experience. Hard, awful experience. In fact, one of the first times I had to fire someone, I really messed it up — largely because I was oblivious to the advice that I now chant […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: A new, young manager recently lost his temper with me over a disagreement that we were bickering about. In the heat of the moment he fired me, sent me home in the middle of my shift, and called the other girl who does my job to “tell” her (not ask, by the […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: Two new secretaries in my office have body odor. The other staff have asked me to talk to them about it as the acting manager. How should I tackle this? I do not envy you. I’m interested to hear advice from others too, but I think the best approach is to think […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: Is it true that negative information is suppose to be off an employment record after 5 years and if so how do you go about getting it removed? Nope, not true. Companies can keep employee files for as long as they want. (In fact, government regulations require that employers keep them for […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: Pending a job offer, I’m looking to leave my current organization, a non-profit, where I have been for over 5 years. During this time, there has been a tremendous amount of growth – when I started there were just over 30 full-timers, now there are well over 200. While there, I launched […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: I’m a college graduate, and like so many others, I’ve been looking for some jobs. I’m left a bit confused on the cover letter, though….. which, I understand can almost be more important than your resume! I understand that I have to relate my experience to why I am perfect for the […]
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