should I turn down a job offer in the hope a different company will offer me a job? by Alison Green on June 30, 2013 A reader writes: I had 2 interviews about 2 months ago for a position I am well qualified for. After my second interview, I waited a week and asked for an update, just to be told that they had gone with another candidate. Move forward to about 2 weeks ago, when I got an email […] Read the full article →
should you dumb down your resume, volunteering for a layoff, and more by Alison Green on June 29, 2013 It’s short answer Saturday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Should you dumb down your resume? I recently had a disagreement with a family member about how I should approach a job. I’ve worked in Helpdesk-related IT work for five years and have a Bachelor’s degree. I was applying […] Read the full article →
my client won’t stop asking about my dating life by Alison Green on June 28, 2013 A reader writes: I work in sales. I recently landed an account that my boss was really after me to get. I went to have a business lunch with a person from their organization prior to assuring their business, and he asked me about my dating life (this man is old enough to be my […] Read the full article →
bad interviewers and weird candidates — unburden yourself here! by Alison Green on June 28, 2013 We hear lots of bad interview stories here — like the interviewer who asked to look inside a candidate’s purse or the interviewer who got offended when asked when the job was open — as well as stories about awful candidate moves, like the guy who sent his interviewer a framed photo of himself (and […] Read the full article →
being chronically sick during a summer internship, how far back should your resume go, and more by Alison Green on June 28, 2013 It’s fast answer Friday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. How to explain that I left my last job when the owner had a violent outburst I’m a young woman working in the trades, and for the past 4 years I was working for a male acquaintance, who runs […] Read the full article →
how to interview a really nervous job candidate by Alison Green on June 27, 2013 A reader writes: Any tips for interviewing someone who’s really, visibly nervous and isn’t able to relax as the interview progresses? I conducted an interview like this today, and I did everything professional I could think of to help this person relax and be themselves. I was friendly, talked about myself a little to give […] Read the full article →
how do employers verify your previous salary? by Alison Green on June 27, 2013 A reader writes: How does a company go about verifying your self-reported salary history for a background check? I have a first round interview with a large, well-known firm, and they sent me forms to consent to their background check. On it, there is a large portion dedicated to salary history. I have already resigned […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: working with a seriously ill manager by Alison Green on June 27, 2013 I’m throwing this one out to the readers to answer. A reader writes: My manager, who everyone in our department adores, has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and recently has started radiation treatment. From what he and our HR department have told us, he will be working on a flex and […] Read the full article →
can I leave early when my work is done, how long after a reference check should you hear back, and more by Alison Green on June 27, 2013 It’s terse answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Should I pursue a job with a disorganized, scattered manager? I applied for a job and got a call to schedule an interview. We agreed on 8 p.m. that night. I went to the business at that time and […] Read the full article →
get the words “core competencies” off your resume by Alison Green on June 26, 2013 If you have a section on your resume called “core competencies,” please call it something else. You do not need that horrible piece of jargon on your resume, and its presence there instantly makes hiring managers’ eyes glaze over. Call it a profile, call it a summary or highlights, I don’t care — but no […] Read the full article →