how to manage a team that’s older than you by Alison Green on February 11, 2014 A reader writes: I recently started a job managing a team of five. I’m in my late 20s and several of my team members are older than me – one of them by several decades. I was hired because I’m good at what I do, but this is the first time I’ve had to manage […] Read the full article →
should your manager know how to do your job? by Alison Green on February 11, 2014 A reader writes: Should your manager know, or at least fully understand, how to do his employees’ jobs? It depends on the work in question, and the level of the manager. If you’re a first level line manager, yes, you probably need to know how to do your employee’s job — because you usually have […] Read the full article →
my new job was delayed 2 days before my start date, when a beloved manager leaves, and more by Alison Green on February 11, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My new job was delayed two days before my start date — and I was scolded when I asked about it I recently just went through a lengthy interview process consisting of 6 interviews over a period of over a month with a nonprofit for […] Read the full article →
here’s a real-life example of a great cover letter (with before and after versions!) by Alison Green on February 10, 2014 I had sworn off sharing more examples of real-life resumes and cover letters for a while because when I’ve done it in the past, I’ve found it supremely frustrating that people want to tear them apart and quibble with details. But a reader just sent me a cover letter that I can’t resist posting, especially […] Read the full article →
my new job wants to call me by my full name, which I don’t use by Alison Green on February 10, 2014 A reader writes: I was recently offered an awesome new job! No major red flags so far, but I have a weird question about my preferred name. I always go by “Matt” instead of my full name “Matthew,” but I was told that since the office already has a Matt who I’d be working closely […] Read the full article →
The Ask a Manager kitties try SHEBA® cat food by Alison Green on February 10, 2014 And now a break to talk about a sponsor… When the lovely people at SHEBA® approached me about writing about SHEBA® entrees for cats, I was hesitant at first. I’m protective of my kitties and probably more rigorous about what I feed them than about what I feed myself. SHEBA® won me over when I learned […] Read the full article →
how to write a cover letter that will get you an interview by Alison Green on February 10, 2014 If you’re like most job seekers, you’re not taking advantage of one of the best ways to get a hiring manager’s attention: writing a great cover letter. Cover letters can be what gets you pulled out of a stack of applications and called for an interview. They can make the difference between hearing nothing from […] Read the full article →
stealth interviews, being paid for being stuck at work during snow, and more by Alison Green on February 10, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Interviewing for the job of someone who doesn’t know they’re about to be fired I have been on a interview that was kept confidential because the current employee in the position has not been fired yet. I’ve been told (by my recruiter) that this is […] Read the full article →
my hostile manager won’t invite me to the staff party at her house, my grandfather is waking me up too early, and more by Alison Green on February 8, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it okay to volunteer at a nonprofit that I’m also applying to work at? I applied for a job at a nonprofit I really want to work for 2 weeks ago. I am perfectly qualified for this position. I received an email right away […] Read the full article →
when I talk to HR, don’t they have to keep it confidential? by Alison Green on February 7, 2014 This post was originally published on August 1, 2010. A reader writes: I had a conversation with the HR Director about something happening in my department. She went to my boss with the issue, citing me as the source. This was not an official complaint by me, as we were not in her office but […] Read the full article →