do not become your friend’s boss by Alison Green on June 10, 2009 One of the toughest challenges a manager can face is also one aspect of the job that, at the start, often seems like it’s going to be great–managing a friend. Contrary to what nearly everyone thinks when they’re first considering it, it’s really hard. Indeed, very few people come out of it with their friendship […] Read the full article →
how to explain previous boss was demented? by Alison Green on June 7, 2009 A reader writes: My last job was really successful and exciting and I would love to talk about it at length with future employers since I think it’s very interesting and highlights a lot of my strengths. I started as an unpaid intern and was promoted to paid assistant within two months. I had a […] Read the full article →
boss forces coworkers to all share an email account (really) by Alison Green on June 5, 2009 A reader writes: Four of us share a gmail address at our small nonprofit. We all work remotely and meet face to face once a month. We label individual mail by name with the gmail folder system. The director encourages staff to read each other’s gmail. The rationale for this system is that as we […] Read the full article →
how the hiring process works on the employer’s side by Alison Green on June 4, 2009 A couple of people have asked about this recently, so I’ve put together a description of how the hiring process works on my side. Keep in mind that this is just how I do it — other hiring managers do it differently, and larger companies often automate the early stages of this. 1. A job […] Read the full article →
graduated a year ago, still can’t get hired by Alison Green on June 3, 2009 A reader writes: I graduated from college last spring in June of 2008 and have been searching for employment since then but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a job. I have even looked at minimum wage jobs outside of my field as a dishwasher, custodian, painter etc. I was in competition for those […] Read the full article →
how college students can prepare now to job search later by Alison Green on June 1, 2009 With recent college graduates pouring into a tight job market, it’s an unnerving time to be looking for a first job. Students still in school should be thinking about building their resumes now, so that when they graduate and need a job, they aren’t starting from nothing. I receive all too many resumes from recent grads […] Read the full article →
I’m going to stereotype you and tell you YOU’re biased if you disagree by Alison Green on June 1, 2009 Brazen Careerist does it again. On Friday, they ran an article by someone with little expertise in the topic, explaining how to manage different generations. It was full of condescension and ignorance. Examples: Schedule flexibility is also important to boomers – not that they’ll ever be late, though. I am pretty sure it all boils […] Read the full article →
my favorite posts of all time by Alison Green on May 28, 2009 Ask a Manager came into being two years ago today. I had no idea whether anyone would be interested in reading what I had to say, but that’s never stopped me from babbling before, and I’m glad it didn’t stop me this time. Thank you guys for reading and commenting and emailing and giving me […] Read the full article →
teacher’s boss expanding job requirements by Alison Green on May 28, 2009 A reader writes: I am a teacher. I have a specific job description with specific duties outlined. Two years ago I got a new boss and she began adding duties to that list. The list includes: – Visiting students’ home prior to the start of school and the beginning of the contract. I have to […] Read the full article →
boss won’t socialize with staff by Alison Green on May 25, 2009 A reader writes: I work in a rather small office, and occasionally we will have short in-office lunches to celebrate a special occasion (weddings, new babies, beginning of spring, etc). We usually have no more than 15-20 people at a gathering. Our new boss of one year never attends these functions. Sometimes he will buy […] Read the full article →