help! I’m getting confusing and conflicting resume advice! by Alison Green on September 30, 2009 A reader writes: Last week, I did a complete overhaul of my resume, specifically to cut it down from 2 pages to 1, because I keep hearing (from friends who work in HR, as well as in articles on the subject) that now more than ever, employers want a really clear, concise snapshot of each […] Read the full article →
feeling sick over typo in job application by Alison Green on September 29, 2009 A reader writes: I just made the worst mistake ever and I feel so sick about it. I found a job that I really want. I spent two days drafting my cover letter and adjusting my resume for this position. The directions on the job posting were the send your resume directly to the president […] Read the full article →
are employers wary of the formerly self-employed? by Alison Green on September 29, 2009 A reader writes: I’m 35 years old and have been self-employed for the past five years as a sole proprietor. My business entails providing career and educational counseling to students and immigrants. I have a true “brick and mortar,” not a virtual office. Though I have enjoyed the challenges that come with running a business, […] Read the full article →
why little things matter in your job search by Alison Green on September 28, 2009 I’ve been thinking lately about the nature of candidate mistakes in the hiring process. The fact is, everyone makes mistakes. A single mistake generally says very little about you. It’s patterns of mistakes that matter. But when you’re on a job search, a small blunder can take on far greater importance than it would in […] Read the full article →
coworker accidentally called me — to complain about ME by Alison Green on September 26, 2009 A reader writes: I recently had a very strange situation at our office. Could I ask how you might handle the following situation? Let’s say you call a co-worker on his/her extension during office hours. You think you are talking with someone who is a friend, and you whisper something about another co-worker. Your comments […] Read the full article →
does this seem weird? by Alison Green on September 24, 2009 A reader writes: Recently I applied online for a job as a librarian at a local career college. The college is part of a chain and this is a new local branch that just recently opened. I got a call today from the dean asking me to come in for an interview and something about […] Read the full article →
dealing with a cranky, unpleasant coworker by Alison Green on September 24, 2009 A reader writes: A new employee (I’ll call her Dana) has just been added to our department this year. This person has worked in the company for almost two decades but wanted to transfer to our department before retiring. The “word” is that she had completely alienated all of her previous coworkers and was miserable, […] Read the full article →
when a recruiter misleads you and wastes your time by Alison Green on September 22, 2009 A reader writes: I’ve been fully self-employed as a freelancer for about three and a half years. Over the last year, however, my income has dropped by a good bit (thanks to moving and to the economy). I’m doing fine with what I’m making, but it feels like that could change any time. In a […] Read the full article →
interviewing with a company that doesn’t know what it wants by Alison Green on September 22, 2009 A reader writes: I’m in a bit of a post-interview limbo. After a month had passed on submitting an application, I received an out-of-the-blue phone interview (with HR) and an immediate scheduling for 5 hours (with 10 people!!) in-house interview. I was sick the day of the in-house, but I medicated and prepared to try […] Read the full article →
being given only 4 hours to decide on a job offer by Alison Green on September 20, 2009 A reader writes: Earlier this year, I was interviewing for IT internships, and got into the final stages for a large international document handling company. I was one of six people, out of over 3000 applicants. I did thoroughly well throughout the day, but a few days later found that I did not in fact […] Read the full article →