is it true that you should “ask for forgiveness, not permission”? by Alison Green on February 7, 2013 A reader writes: I was introduced to the saying “ask for forgiveness, not for permission” when I worked in my first professional office position. I have heard it many more times since leaving that job, and it seems to be a commonly accepted working mindset. However, I have never really related to this saying and […] Read the full article →
terse answer Thursday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on February 7, 2013 It’s terse answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Can I set up an incentive system for admin staff? We have an incentive scheme in place for salespeople where they can earn an extra day off if they reach certain sales targets. I’d like to implement the same […] Read the full article →
when an employer asks for salary history in your cover letter by Alison Green on February 6, 2013 A reader writes: I am applying for a position with a nonprofit that has requested me to include my salary history along with my resume and cover letter (emailed to a “jobs@company.org” mailbox). While I am not a fan of providing that information, I am willing to do so but am unsure how to in […] Read the full article →
are you a job hopper? by Alison Green on February 6, 2013 For most people, gone are the days when they’d stay at a job for 20 years or more. Today, most people move around to multiple companies over the course of their careers. However, it’s possible to change jobs too frequently and get tagged with the “job hopper” label – which can make you look like […] Read the full article →
wee answer Wednesday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on February 6, 2013 It’s wee answer Wednesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker keeps pitching in on my tasks when I don’t want her to I’m in somewhat of a delicate situation. I work under a general boss, as well as a project manager. I do more of the day-to-day technical […] Read the full article →
my new boss accidentally told everyone my salary by Alison Green on February 5, 2013 A reader writes: I have a bit of an awkward situation and would like your advice. In a couple of days, I start a new job at a 10-person organization. The executive director of the new organization just sent out a very nice company-wide email introducing me. He mentioned a few things about me and […] Read the full article →
more terrible ideas: your resume should not be an infographic by Alison Green on February 5, 2013 Your resume should not be presented as an infographic. This is a terrible, terrible idea. First, it means that your design goals end up trumping quantity and quality of information. In the examples I’ve seen, there’s far less information than on a traditional resume, because it needs to be fit into the constraints of the […] Read the full article →
dealing with a micromanaging peer by Alison Green on February 5, 2013 A reader writes: I’d like to get your input about how to deal with a coworker who micromanages laterally. I am a manager, and one of my peers, another manager, often takes it upon herself to tell the other managers how they should run their departments (even though we haven’t asked and it’s not within […] Read the full article →
tiny answer Tuesday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on February 5, 2013 It’s tiny answer Tuesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. When should I follow up with this internal recruiter? I had submitted my résumé for an open position with a company that I’m very interested in working for. A few days later, I was contacted by an internal recruiter […] Read the full article →
coworker smells and invades people’s space in meetings by Alison Green on February 4, 2013 A reader writes: I am a woman working for a large university, performing a particular IT function for a local department. There is an organization-wide email discussion list for people performing this function, and an informal networking group that meets for coffee.I had previously heard gossip from women that there was a man in this […] Read the full article →