things that annoy the crap out of me by Alison Green on October 6, 2011 I’m sick with a cold and cranky, so I hereby present to you nine things that annoy the crap out of me: 1. When you email someone a question and they don’t know the answer so they decide to wait until they do know before getting back to you, even if it takes days, instead […] Read the full article →
what to do if you think you’re going to get fired by Alison Green on October 5, 2011 If you suspect you’re in danger of being fired, the worst thing you can do is just sit back and wait for it to happen. Instead, here are 10 concrete steps you should be taking now, before you’re shown the door. 1. Remove personal files and emails from your work computer. Most companies disable computer […] Read the full article →
office space: does size matter? by Alison Green on October 4, 2011 Two readers, two different questions about office space. Reader #1 writes: I just went through a series of really positive interviews with a large university, and the signs are good. They asked when could I start if an offer was made, what is my desired salary, all that stuff. I’m excited about the position and the people seem […] Read the full article →
when the government requires you to listen to bad career advice by Alison Green on October 4, 2011 I’ve ranted before about how some of the worst career advice seems to come from the places where it’s most important that they have the best — college career centers and state unemployment offices. Not all of them, of course — but enough that there’s a trend, and it’s troubling. And now comes this story […] Read the full article →
I’m loving “Blind Spots” by Alexandra Levit by Alison Green on October 4, 2011 I don’t often recommend books here. (Have I recommended anything other than The Gift of Fear and everything by Jane Austen?) But I’m almost finished reading Alexandra Levit‘s new book, Blind Spots, and I have to say, I’ve been waiting for someone to write this book. Alexandra debunks 10 of the biggest career myths — […] Read the full article →
will my coworkers judge me now that my brother is getting psychiatric care from us? by Alison Green on October 3, 2011 A reader writes: While looking for a full-time job, I am helping a local psychiatrist’s office doing tech support and minimal admin work, which includes keeping patient charts up-to-date. It is a small office and I enjoy the other admin staff, as well as the doctors. Now here comes the tricky part: I live in […] Read the full article →
guess your next coworker to be fired and win a prize! by Alison Green on October 3, 2011 Want to see something that makes the “I’ll fire you if you don’t replace the milk” guy look like a model manager? Gawker is really on a roll with their coverage of crazy workplace stories: An Iowa convenience store owner ran a contest for his employees where they could win $10 by guessing which of their coworkers […] Read the full article →
10 ways to piss off your boss by Alison Green on October 3, 2011 Want to anger your boss, harm your chances for promotion or a raise, and generally lower your value in her eyes? Here are 10 things that are guaranteed to frustrate your manager. 1. Don’t take responsibility for your mistakes. Reasonable bosses know that no one is perfect and that mistakes will sometimes happen; what they care […] Read the full article →
your math should be correct now… by Alison Green on October 2, 2011 I think the anti-spam math question on the comment form should be fixed. If you find that it’s not (if it’s telling you that your correct answer is wrong), please email me and let me know. Thanks! (And much thanks to Laura of smallestdecisions.net for solving this, along with everything else I bring to her. […] Read the full article →
short answer Saturday – 8 short answers to 8 short questions by Alison Green on October 1, 2011 It’s short answer Saturday — eight short answers to eight short questions. We’ve got a reader who can’t get promoted, someone who wants a higher salary if she has to move back to her hometown, fake letterhead, and more. Here we go… 1. What does this email from my interviewer mean? I went on an […] Read the full article →