why do you sound surprised when I call you for our scheduled phone interview? by Alison Green on June 30, 2009 There’s a weird behavior going around, and I have to say, I think I’ve only seen it in people under 30. We have a specific time scheduled for a phone interview. I call you at that exact time, precisely on the dot because I’m neurotic that way. You answer after quite a few rings and […] Read the full article →
the #1 question your resume should answer by Alison Green on June 29, 2009 The vast majority of resumes I see read like a series of job descriptions, listing duties and responsibilities at each position the job applicant has held. But resumes that stand out do something very different. For each position, they answer the question: What did you accomplish in this job that someone else wouldn’t have? So […] Read the full article →
company dragging its feet on reference-checking? by Alison Green on June 28, 2009 A reader writes: I am trying to find out how long, on average, it would take for a company to check my three references they requested. I have recently checked in with all my references and none has heard anything from that company (no call, email, any contact). It’s been three weeks since I forwarded […] Read the full article →
is it strange to email a job offer? by Alison Green on June 26, 2009 A reader writes: I had an interesting experience with a company a few weeks ago that I felt handled the job interviewing process a bit sloppily, something a lot friends who are also unemployed and interviewing are noticing these days. The interview with the hiring manager went well. In fact, the following day I got […] Read the full article →
should I mention a job I was fired from after 6 weeks? by Alison Green on June 25, 2009 A reader writes: I have a question for you regarding being fired. The quick setup is that after several years in my profession, I accepted a management position at an expanding organization. After 6 weeks, I was fired for “not fitting in.” The meeting where I was fired was the first and only indication I […] Read the full article →
which office should I pick? by Alison Green on June 25, 2009 A reader writes: We’re moving our offices, and I have been given a nice sunny one near my boss. However, I can have any office I want. Should I give up this office so I can be closer to my other colleagues, as well as nearer to the action? Or should I remain in the […] Read the full article →
how to get a reputation for credibility by Alison Green on June 22, 2009 Being seen as highly credible is one of the most important types of capital you can build at work. It takes time to build it, and you can significantly undermine it by even a single bad move. Here’s how to build unshakable credibility 1. Never, ever lie. Never. Not only that, but go one step […] Read the full article →
helping an employee with bad communication skills by Alison Green on June 21, 2009 A reader writes: Like you, I work at a nonprofit. I am executive director and have a staff of two great employees. I have a new employee who always uses a big word when a smaller word would do. I would not say a word except that it sometimes makes it hard to understand what […] Read the full article →
no, I will not by Alison Green on June 19, 2009 No, I will not write your resume objective for you. If you don’t know your objective, I certainly don’t, and anyway, I don’t even believe in resume objectives. No, I will not give you the answer for your school paper. You should probably do some research. No, I will not critique your resume for you. […] Read the full article →
would you fire this woman? by Alison Green on June 18, 2009 Politico has an incredible account today of a congressional staffer who freaked out on someone she didn’t know who called her “Liz” instead of “Elizabeth” in an email. And by freaked out, I mean had a 19-email exchange with her, lambasting her for the mistake, when the person was just seeking a meeting for her […] Read the full article →