your interviewer knows what she’s doing and other job searching myths by Alison Green on November 30, 2011 Here are 10 myths about job-searching: 1. Myth: You need connections in order to get a job, because managers generally hire people they know. Fact: Connections are helpful, but plenty of people get jobs by spotting an ad, sending in a resume, and interviewing. Sometimes it might not feel that way, because there are so many […] Read the full article →
coworker keeps bossing me around by Alison Green on November 30, 2011 A reader writes: I recently joined a new team and one of my colleagues seems to think she can boss me around/ tell me what to do. We have a lateral position and she has only been on the team for three months. How should I approach this? I am still new and would like […] Read the full article →
what do I say when I quit my job? by Alison Green on November 29, 2011 A reader writes: I love my job. I have been there for over 2 years and going into my 3rd year they were forced to cut my hours by nearly 40%, thus cutting my pay by nearly 40%. I would like to quit my job to stay home and babysit my adorable niece and nephew. […] Read the full article →
how to manage work that you can’t do yourself by Alison Green on November 29, 2011 Help! You know little about computers, and you’re suddenly in charge of overseeing the I.T. department. Or you can barely balance your checkbook and now your firm’s finance team is under you. If you’re charged with managing an area of work outside your main expertise, you could feel in over your head – or you […] Read the full article →
stop telling me you’re the best candidate for the job by Alison Green on November 28, 2011 Please stop opening your cover letters with this sentence and all variations of it: “I’m applying for this position because I’m the best candidate for the job.” No, you’re not. The best candidate has the sense to know that she has no idea what the rest of the candidate pool looks like. Somewhere along the […] Read the full article →
the hardest parts of being the boss by Alison Green on November 28, 2011 Before you throw your hat in the ring for a management job, make sure you’ve thought through what it really means to be a manager. Here are 10 of the toughest parts about being the boss… and if you’re not ready to take on each of these downsides, management jobs aren’t for you. 1. You’ll […] Read the full article →
an interview with me by Alison Green on November 27, 2011 Reader Kristin Van Dorn recently interviewed me for a class she’s taking, and she posted the interview here. We talked about how Ask a Manager started, writing style, and more. Read the full article →
can my company make me pay the costs of a business trip if I resign before the trip? by Alison Green on November 26, 2011 A reader writes: My company has an annual meeting where all of our sales staff from across the country come together. People from marketing and a few other departments are also in attendance, as is the entire executive management team. Since people are flying in from across the country anyway, the meeting has typically been […] Read the full article →
fast answer Friday: 6 short answers to 6 short questions by Alison Green on November 25, 2011 It’s fast answer Friday. Here we go… 1. Recent grad wants management job I am a recent grad and my resume (in my opinion) is colorful and damn near great. I want to apply to management type jobs but don’t have the experience. What can I do? Should I get a management certificate from a […] Read the full article →
how do you deal with having to fire someone? by Alison Green on November 23, 2011 A reader writes: Recently I had to fire one of my employees. There was a history of tardiness, no-call/no-show behavior, and lack of performance at work. All of this behavior was documented, and the employee was put on at least two action plans. I tried sharing tips from my own life (because I am a […] Read the full article →