I don’t want to be an employer’s second choice, manager doesn’t care that our new coworker is horrible, and more by Alison Green on December 2, 2013 It’s five short answers to five short questions. Here we go… 1. I don’t want to be an employer’s second choice I got an interview for an internship, and the interviewer told me they would get back to me on a Tuesday (interview was on Friday). I hadn’t heard back from them on Tuesday so […] Read the full article →
did I blow this job opportunity? by Alison Green on December 1, 2013 A reader writes: I just want to know if I handled this situation right. I am fresh out of college and finishing up a course online, which requires some intense work because it’s a lot of work compacted in a short amount of time. I applied to many different jobs, and I got a phone […] Read the full article →
entry-level interviewers, my employer is holding my first paycheck for “severance,” and more by Alison Green on November 30, 2013 It’s five short answers to five short questions. Here we go… 1. My employer is holding my first paycheck for “severance” I just started working my first full-time job a few weeks ago and while I was being trained, I discovered something strange. My training week coincided with the pay period, and while I was […] Read the full article →
I don’t want the office candy dish on my desk by Alison Green on November 29, 2013 A reader writes: I’m four weeks into a new job as executive assistant to the Office of Trustees at a major university. I am enjoying everything about it except for that fact that I inherited a desk with a candy dish – something that doesn’t fit with how I view myself as an employee and […] Read the full article →
should an admin show people how to do clerical tasks themselves? by Alison Green on November 29, 2013 This post was originally published on November 17, 2011. A reader writes: As an administrative assistant, my job is to do things for other people. I completely get that, and I have not been an admin for over fifteen years by not getting that. That said, I pride myself in being very polite and helpful. […] Read the full article →
what to do when you’re overworked by Alison Green on November 29, 2013 If it seems like you’re always stretched too thin and never have enough time to complete your work before three new projects are handed down to you – always with the instructions that they’re high-priority – you probably need to talk with your manager about your workload. But with more companies expecting people to do […] Read the full article →
misleading reference requests, holiday gifts to clients, and more by Alison Green on November 29, 2013 It’s five short answers to five short questions. Here we go… 1. Misleading reference request form looks like it comes from me — but it doesn’t I’ve recently been asked to fill out an online/outsourced reference form for a job application and was a little bit disturbed to see that the program generated an email […] Read the full article →
office holiday gift-giving stories: unburden yourself here by Alison Green on November 28, 2013 Well, we’re officially in the holiday season — which in workplaces is also the season of forced merriment, holiday party gaffes, pressure to donate to extravagant gifts to your boss, and other seasonal pleasures. In the spirit of the season, I want to hear about workplace gift debacles. Did a game of Secret Santa end […] Read the full article →
resume paper is obsolete by Alison Green on November 27, 2013 A reader writes: What are your thoughts on “resume paper”? Considering how many retailers stock it (and have stocked it for decades), I imagine many people use it. Is there any value to it? What do hiring managers think of it, if they even notice? I am going to hereby free you from any reason […] Read the full article →
what non-obvious things should I know about being a receptionist? by Alison Green on November 27, 2013 A reader writes: Hi — long time reader of your blog, and I’m very grateful for your advice, which has helped keep me afloat during a grueling job search. Happily, in a week I’ll be starting a receptionist position with an awesome small office that deals with pensions and retirement plans. The position answers phones, greets […] Read the full article →