my boss keeps drawing her blood in front of me by Alison Green on January 12, 2011 A reader writes: I started a new job yesterday, and so far it seems to be going well. It’s a very small office, only three people including me, but I’m getting along with my coworkers and acclimating. There’s only one thing that’s really bugging me, and I have no idea how to approach it tactfully. […] Read the full article →
I will totally get you a job. by Alison Green on January 11, 2011 I can print a letter of praise once in a while without it being obnoxious, right? I hope so, because I really liked this letter: I was laid off in June and have floundered job search-wise since. Then I discovered your blog about a month ago, and the Magic Question. I decided to use the […] Read the full article →
what’s the minimum pay increase you’d change jobs for? by Alison Green on January 10, 2011 Someone just asked me this on Twitter: What’s the minimum pay increase you’d consider changing jobs for? My answer is: It would entirely depend on how much I liked my current job. If I liked my current job, it would take a lot. A hell of a lot. Because jobs you like are really, really […] Read the full article →
is that interview question legal? by Alison Green on January 10, 2011 You’re sitting in a job interview and suddenly your interviewer asks you: “So, do you have children?” “What church do you go to?” “What an unusual last name. Is it Japanese?” You probably know that interviewers aren’t supposed to ask these sorts of questions – but what do you do one when does anyway? First, […] Read the full article →
short answer Sunday: 8 short answers to 8 short questions by Alison Green on January 9, 2011 It’s short answer Sunday — eight short answers to eight short questions. Here we go: Interviewing with the person you’d be replacing I’m pretty good at interviews, however this week I have an unusual situation. I will be interviewing for the head of HR. It’s a group interview which includes the supervisor of the position, […] Read the full article →
listen to me on Minnesota Public Radio by Alison Green on January 7, 2011 The wonderful Alexandra Levit and I were guests on Minnesota Public Radio this morning, talking about job search strategies in a tight job market. The show was an hour and includes lots of questions from callers. You can listen here or below. Read the full article →
is allowing smoke breaks unfair to non-smokers? by Alison Green on January 6, 2011 A reader writes: How do I determine where the line is between enforcing policy and being a jerk? Example: my workplace (a restaurant) has no policy for smoke breaks. But it DOES have a policy where you get a 10 minute break for every 4 hours you work, and a half hour for every 6 […] Read the full article →
does company’s silence mean I didn’t get the job? by Alison Green on January 6, 2011 A reader writes: I recently interviewed for a job, and didn’t get it. A few weeks later, though, the person I interviewed with contacted me out of the blue to ask me if I’d like to interview for a similar position, which was unposted. I went to the interview, met with four different people, toured […] Read the full article →
in a long interview process, can I ask about salary? by Alison Green on January 5, 2011 A reader writes: I had a great second phone interview with a company I think would be perfect. Originally I spoke to the recruiter/HR person. Today, I spoke to the person would be my direct manager. Next, she wants me to phone interview with her boss, and THEN it’s some in-person interviews with CEOs, etc. […] Read the full article →
office security guard won’t leave me alone by Alison Green on January 4, 2011 A reader writes: I am a young woman who works for a large company where I serve as the office manager for one department. A security guard at my company likes to stop by “while doing his rounds” for no reason other than to chat with me. Normally, I would be fine with that. I […] Read the full article →