does employer realize I declined their offer last year? by Alison Green on December 3, 2009 A reader writes: I recently applied, interviewed for and accepted a job at a company that I interviewed with 20 months ago. 20 months ago, I was offered the job but had to decline (I couldn’t wrap up my job at the time and move cities quickly enough for them). In my cover letter and […] Read the full article →
accepting a home loan from your boss — oh, and lying to him about it too by Alison Green on December 2, 2009 A reader writes: I initially discussed with my boss, who is also the sole owner of the company, the possibility of him giving me a home loan. The home loan was for me and my future spouse to buy a property to settle down. The amount is approximately 10% of the property price. However, I […] Read the full article →
it’s your office holiday party! by Alison Green on December 1, 2009 I get a lot of mail full of angst about company holiday parties — do you have to go, can you make your employees go, why can’t they give you a day off instead, and so forth. Apparently there are an awful lot of you who cannot stand your coworkers enough to spend an hour […] Read the full article →
2 petty things by Alison Green on December 1, 2009 Yes, these complaints are petty, but here they are nonetheless: 1. Please don’t address me as “Mrs.” in your cover letter. “Mrs.” refers to a married woman (and even then, plenty of them don’t use it). I am not married. And if I were, I would be unnerved that you somehow knew that. Either way, […] Read the full article →
how to handle requests for salary history by Alison Green on November 29, 2009 A reader writes: I am searching for a new position and more than half of listings require salary history. Not even requirements but history, which I think is completely unjust and I typically do not give out because a) it’s confidential, b) it’s excessive in wanting to know about the applicant and c) if my […] Read the full article →
when you can’t recommend a friend for a job by Alison Green on November 29, 2009 A reader writes: I have a friend (kinda) who applied for a position at the hotel I work at. It would be working directly with me. I did not and would not recommend her for this position. I know she is not a good fit. She applied, put my name down, and got an interview. […] Read the full article →
should I include an audio clip with my resume? by Alison Green on November 25, 2009 A reader writes: I had an idea which I wanted to bounce off of you. I was thinking one way I could make myself different from the rest of the pack is a quick audio overview of myself; sort of an elevator speech directed at the organization I am interested in. I am looking to […] Read the full article →
is using “we” in an interview presumptuous? by Alison Green on November 25, 2009 A reader writes: In a job interview, I have been asked questions based on scenarios (i.e., “What would you do if…” or “How would you handle…” with specific situations or projects that are actually going on at the organization or are coming up). I often catch myself answering using “we” as if I’m already part […] Read the full article →
Why performance reviews deserve a better rap by Alison Green on November 23, 2009 Performance evaluations sometimes get a bad rap by people who see them as a bureaucratic waste of time. And yes, if you treat performance evaluations as a waste of time, an exercise you just have to get through so you can say it was done, that’s exactly what it’ll be. But when done right, by […] Read the full article →
former boss is waging campaign of harassment against me by Alison Green on November 23, 2009 A reader writes: I used to be quite good friends with my immediate manager; I met her through her brother, who I was very close to, and for a while we actually lived together. Then it all fell to pieces. On a personal level, we had a falling out (she stole a large amount of […] Read the full article →