my top performer constantly texts and web-surfs, asking about drug testing during an interview, and more by Alison Green on October 7, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My top performer constantly texts and surfs the web As a relatively new manager working in state government, I am having an issue with a direct report that I am really unsure how to address. Let me preface this by saying this person is, hands down, […] Read the full article →
I was late, badly prepared, and cried at an interview — why did they offer me the job? by Alison Green on October 6, 2014 A reader writes: I’m usually quite good with interviews and do things according to the book, but I went for an interview yesterday with no sleep, killer back and muscle pain (serious injury from hiking the weekend), goofed out on medications, and 20 minutes late for said interview (a design position) and no preparation. I […] Read the full article →
how to deal with a lazy coworker by Alison Green on October 6, 2014 If you’ve ever had a coworker who spends the day playing on Facebook, shopping online, or otherwise goofing off while work goes undone, you know the extreme frustration that can come from working with someone who doesn’t pull their own weight. That’s doubly true if you end up picking up some of their work on […] Read the full article →
my boss seems irritated when I ask questions, new job wants me to travel for a month at a time, and more by Alison Green on October 6, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My new job wants me to travel for a month at a time One month ago, I was hired by an organization that covers several states to work in a particular city. It is my first job out of grad school. My job description says […] Read the full article →
Sunday free-for-all – October 5, 2014 by Alison Green on October 5, 2014 It’s the weekend free-for-all. This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly non-work only; if you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.) Have at it. Read the full article →
I’m in training with a much slower coworker, contacting my boyfriend’s boss, and more by Alison Green on October 4, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m in training with a much slower coworker I am training for a position as a quality assurance agent for a surveying company, and it is me and another woman training with a trainer. Today, I’ve been sitting here for more than half the day […] Read the full article →
how long should a cover letter be? by Alison Green on October 3, 2014 A reader writes: I have the most basic of questions, but I’ve received a different answer from everyone I ask. How long should a cover letter be? I tend to be more concise in my writing, so I would be okay submitting a half page cover letter. However, I feel like that appears too short […] Read the full article →
open thread – October 3, 2014 by Alison Green on October 3, 2014 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. Read the full article →
my employer revoked everyone’s telecommuting status, my coworker copied my LinkedIn profile, and more by Alison Green on October 3, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I lie about my hours to get a better salary at a new job? I have been working at the same company for 10 years, from a junior role to managerial position. It’s a very small company (less than 5 people) and has been […] Read the full article →
your workplace is gross by Alison Green on October 2, 2014 A reader shared this disgusting internal email from his workplace: Subject: Restroom Walls, Conference Room Tables, & Boogers Importance: High Good Morning All, As you can read from the title this is a very unusual request to be sending to a group of professionals. Yes, we are talking about boogers this morning. As I and […] Read the full article →