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 →
is taking an internship on top of a job unethical? by Alison Green on September 20, 2009 A reader writes: I received my BA this May, and after searching, got a job as an Administrative Assistant. I’m really very grateful to have gotten this position as it seems like getting an entry level position right now is a bit of a crapshoot: so many people could perform this job admirably, but they […] Read the full article →
mentioning your interest in sadomasochistic sex in your resume by Alison Green on September 19, 2009 Perhaps I’m being close-minded here, but it strikes me as a bad move to devote the top third of your resume (or really any part of your resume) to the various leadership roles that you hold in your local club devoted to sexual dominance, submission, and bondage. The resume is otherwise completely professional. Read the full article →