August 2008

what to do if you think you’re about to get fired

Often when someone is having serious performance issues and in danger of losing their job, they simply do … nothing. Sometimes it’s denial about the severity of the situation, but other times people just feel helpless to change anything. But if you’re getting signals that your job may be in jeopardy, doing nothing is about […]

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can I keep my internal interview from my manager?

A reader writes: I have been selected for an interview with a different department in the same building. Is there any way to keep my current supervisor from finding out about it? I’m fairly certain she’ll make my current job even more of a hell if she finds out, and especially if I don’t get […]

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how much does industry knowledge matter? (not at all)

When hiring, how much does knowledge of your industry matter? It’s a nice bonus, but in most cases it shouldn’t be a driving force behind your hiring decisions. But too often I see hiring managers over-valuing this sort of knowledge, and hiring the wrong candidates. If you hire someone smart and motivated, they will learn […]

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Alltop’s new HR section

Hey, check out Alltop’s new HR section. (And big thanks to Alltop for including me in it!) If you don’t know Alltop yet, it’s pretty cool — they aggregate what they consider to be some of the top sites in a bunch of different categories, and display those site’s five most recent headlines. It’s a […]

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interviewing with a funder of current employer

A reader writes: I have a job interview on Friday with a grant-making foundation. I currently work for a non-profit organization that is funded (in part) by this foundation and has a long-standing relationship with them. While I enjoy the work that I currently do, and love the mission of the organization, the work environment […]

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earning less than slacker coworker

A reader writes: I have been working for my current company for five years now, and have moved up substantially over those years. I’ve been promoted at least four times, given more and more responsibility each time. I love my job, I feel as if there is limitless room for growth, and have become an […]

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boss hiring second person to do same job

A reader writes: I work in an entry-level, dues-paying job. As could be expected, the experience I’m getting is great and will directly help my future career development, but the salary is very low. (I don’t really have “disposable income,” unless my student loan payments count.) My boss just told me that she wants to […]

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you are high maintenance and full of yourself

A reader writes: My interviewer asked me what my salary range was, so I researched and sent an email back. He replied stating that it was too high, so I sent him a email back just asking what an acceptable range would be. At that point, he sent back three paragraphs bashing me, stating that I […]

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7 signs your interview went well

So you’ve had your job interview, and, as you wait to hear from the company, you keep replaying the interview in your mind and wondering how you did. But is there any way to know until you get an offer or rejection? No signs are 100 percent foolproof, but here are seven indicators that the interview […]

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regrets about turning down an offer

A reader writes: In mid-June, I applied for a job with company A, and also one with company B at the end of June. Company B’s interview process went much more quickly than A’s, and B extended me an offer in late July. I turned down the offer because I felt I would’ve been happier […]

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