my friend is a bad employee — how can I help? by Alison Green on June 26, 2013 A reader writes: I’m looking for some advice to pass along to a friend. I’m a huge fan of your blog (it has helped me in two job application process, and I recommend it to everyone I know). My friends and I can’t seem to figure out what the best way to handle this situation. […] Read the full article →
what to do if you’re getting laid off by Alison Green on June 26, 2013 Layoffs can come as a shock – one minute you’re happily doing your job, with no thought of unemployment, and then next moment you’re out of a job. Even when you’ve had an inkling that the company might be thinking of making cuts, hearing that it’s you who’s been cut is painful news that can […] Read the full article →
my manager uses my email when I’m away, bruises at work, and more by Alison Green on June 26, 2013 It’s wee answer Wednesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. My interviewer wants to know what questions to ask me I have an interview tomorrow and have been asked to write down and bring five questions that I want to be asked. That’s the first time I’ve seen that. […] Read the full article →
no, you should not call your recruiter at home (and other jaw-droppingly bad advice from salary.com) by Alison Green on June 25, 2013 Lots of people have been sending me a link to an awful article that ran recently on salary.com. I’d been hoping to ignore it in disgust, but enough of you have sent it to me that my attempt at just repressing it from my brain clearly won’t work. So let’s take a look. It includes […] Read the full article →
managing a high-performing, high-drama employee by Alison Green on June 25, 2013 A reader writes: One of my employees is great at her job. She has about 20 years of experience on me and is truly the rock star of our team. However, with certain deadlines, she tends to put too much pressure on herself and gets frustrated. The level of emotion, I feel, makes it even […] Read the full article →
can I fire an employee by phone or email? by Alison Green on June 25, 2013 A reader writes: I have wanted to fire a full-time employee for the past two weeks, but she hasn’t been in, despite telling me on numerous occasions that she will be… “I’ll definitely be in tomorrow!” I manage a small business and need to fire her so I can start looking for her replacement as […] Read the full article →
how much does nervousness matter in job interviews, avoiding office drama, and more by Alison Green on June 25, 2013 It’s tiny answer Tuesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. How much does nervousness matter in job interviews? I am a recent college graduate who, by now, has been on many interviews. I recently heard from a friend at a company where I made it to the final round […] Read the full article →
how to fire a volunteer by Alison Green on June 24, 2013 A reader writes: My question is not regarding my job, but regarding a board I serve on for an alumni association. We are all volunteers, and we have various committees that other alumni serve on. It’s hard to get much help sometimes, so we try to find something for anyone who wants to help to […] Read the full article →
my coworker wants all of his calls screened for him by Alison Green on June 24, 2013 A reader writes: At my office, there are two receptionist/assistants who are responsible for answering the phones. I’m the assistant to the president and am third in line to answer if they aren’t able to pick up. A coworker insists that we screen his calls and find out who is calling and what it’s regarding. […] Read the full article →
how to list accomplishments on your resume when your job doesn’t have easy measures by Alison Green on June 24, 2013 A reader wries: I work as a receptionist. I think I’m pretty good at it. My job is basically to answer phones, take messages and relay them promptly, open and sort mail, prepare outgoing mail, schedule courier pickups, make copies, type documents, etc, when requested. My question is, what kind of things would someone with […] Read the full article →