denied performance evaluation by Alison Green on May 26, 2008 A reader writes: I have a question on how to challenge a denial of work performance reviews on behalf of a co-worker. The position is an administrative assistant position which this person has been in 7 years. She has never had a yearly performance review and accordingly no raises! Her job duties have increased. She […] Read the full article →
returning to the job market after depression by Alison Green on May 26, 2008 A reader writes: My brother, after a two-and-a-half-year recovery period from severe depression, will be entering the job market this fall. He was working low-level clerical jobs the past two years while getting therapy and getting his mental health together. Now he feels ready to re-enter the professional job market once again and get his […] Read the full article →
you made a mistake at work — now what? by Alison Green on May 19, 2008 When you make a mistake at work, how you handle its immediate aftermath can often overshadow the mistake itself. First, here’s what not to do: 1. Don’t hope that if you act like it wasn’t a big deal, your boss might think it wasn’t a big deal either. This strategy will actually compound the damage: […] Read the full article →
how to get the most of out your internship by Alison Green on May 18, 2008 A reader writes: I’m going to be starting a 3-month summer internship in the management consulting field for a reasonably small (~30 employees) boutique consultancy. I see it as the first step in my career goal to become a management consultant. My goals from this internship are: 1) To obtain a bunch of great contacts […] Read the full article →
by Alison Green on May 16, 2008 Sorry for the slow-down in postings. I’m crazed with work. And really horribly backlogged on answering my email — so if you are really anxious for an answer to something you’ve emailed me, it wouldn’t hurt to resend it. I’ll be back in better form next week. Read the full article →
your interview starts NOW by Alison Green on May 13, 2008 I frequently see job candidates act as if only “official” contacts — like interviews and formal writing samples — count during the hiring process. They’ll send flawlessly edited cover letters and writing samples and then check on their applications with sloppily written emails with spelling errors. Or they’ll be charming and polite to me but […] Read the full article →
passed over for promotion by Alison Green on May 10, 2008 A reader writes: A co-worker of mine was recently promoted to an open position without any other candidates, myself included, having been interviewed. When I first attempted to talk to the hiring manager about this, he accused me of “overreacting” and acting immature. Now, my purpose is not to argue why I should have been […] Read the full article →
why a job interview is like a date by Alison Green on May 5, 2008 I see too many job applicants who approach the interview as if their only goal is to win a job offer, losing sight of the fact that this can land them in the wrong job — a job they won’t enjoy, a job they’ll struggle in, or even a job they might get fired from. […] Read the full article →
dealing with a jerk at work by Alison Green on May 1, 2008 A reader writes: How does one, in a professional way, stop someone from picking on you in the office? I know, it sounds like something straight out of grade school but it is happening to me as an adult. What this person does: in meetings, he often makes snide, sarcastic asides and jokes. He has […] Read the full article →
gracefully turning down an offer by Alison Green on May 1, 2008 A reader writes: I’m a programmer currently working on a contract basis, but have an invitation to move to a permanent position when the contract ends. It’s a good company and good offer, but is missing two things: variety in projects I’d work on (they make only a few products, all related) and senior employees […] Read the full article →