help! my new boss is giving me negative feedback by Alison Green on May 16, 2011 A reader writes: I am in a senior management role and recently got a new boss. In the 6 months since he’s been on board, I have heard from him at least 5 times that I am “resistant” or “defensive” during discussions. As somebody in a more senior role, I’m used to being able to […] Read the full article →
short answer Sunday: 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on May 15, 2011 Short answer Sunday is here once again… Criminal background check I have been out of work for over a year, I am listed with 4 different temp agencies, applied to numerous jobs online, and through the paper. I have been on a few interviews but have yet to land a job. The main problem other […] Read the full article →
employees drinking on the job and the ethics of firing without warning by Alison Green on May 12, 2011 A reader writes: I’m the GM of a small company. I have 2 employees who handle important parts of the company. I started at the company 4 years after them so have leaned on them to teach me the “ins & outs” of the company. Since they were both very capable I never took the […] Read the full article →
update from the job seeker whose interviewer had gone AWOL by Alison Green on May 12, 2011 I’m not going to say I told you so, but … yes, actually I am. I told you so. This is an update from the letter-writer from last Sunday, who couldn’t figure out why an interviewer who had seemed really enthusiastic had suddenly gone AWOL and hadn’t gotten back to her: Just wanted to provide […] Read the full article →
bombarding an employer with unsolicited recommendations can backfire by Alison Green on May 11, 2011 Here’s something that happened recently when I was hiring for an open position: A candidate emailed her resume and cover letter to me. She was borderline-qualified — not a complete stretch but not obviously competitive with some of the other candidates … but that’s the not the interesting part. What’s interesting is that within an […] Read the full article →
dealing with coworkers who are rude in meetings by Alison Green on May 9, 2011 A reader writes: I work at a mid-size nonprofit in the fundraising department. We have staff both in a central office and out in the field. Lately I’ve been noticing that a group of my colleagues – the ones who have to call into meetings – have been getting ruder and ruder in meetings. They […] Read the full article →
how to research what salary you should ask for by Alison Green on May 9, 2011 At some point in your job search, you’re going to be asked what salary range you’re looking for. You’ve probably read that you should try to avoid naming a number at first, but the reality is that employers are going to ask, and you’ll usually have to answer. In fact, many online applications these days […] Read the full article →
interviewer seemed enthusiastic, then went AWOL by Alison Green on May 8, 2011 A reader writes: After finding out I was re-locating to a new city, I began researching and finding companies and positions that would be a good fit for me. I finally found one that I thought I was perfect, and sent my resume. Less than two days later, I received an e-mail from HR asking […] Read the full article →
short answer Sunday: 5 short answers to 5 short questions by Alison Green on May 8, 2011 Five questions, five answers. We’ve got a smelly boss, a CEO who takes up more than his share of parking spaces, and more. Smelly boss I’ve worked in an “open space” office for a year. My superior (who works at the desk right next to me) doesn’t wear deodorant. This bothers me less in the […] Read the full article →
16-year-old with critical fast food manager by Alison Green on May 8, 2011 I recently received a letter from a 16-year-old girl who just started working at a fast food restaurant and is freaked out because her manager isn’t especially supportive. I sent her over to the fabulous Kimberlee Stiens, who has some fast food experience of her own. Kim posted her answer on her own blog here. Read the full article →