how to spot job candidates who will have attendance problems by Alison Green on April 17, 2015 A reader writes: Do you have suggestions on how to screen for employees who will have absenteeism problems and not show up for work? I work in a call center. Most of the folks we hire know what that type of environment is. And yet we still end up terminating people on a regular basis […] Read the full article →
open thread – April 17, 2015 by Alison Green on April 17, 2015 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. * If you submitted […] Read the full article →
interviewer asked if I’d rather fight or steal, boss ordered me to contribute to a laid-off employee, and more by Alison Green on April 17, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Interviewer asked if I’d rather fight or steal A while ago I had a weird interview for a job in a sports store. The most puzzling of all was this question: If you had to choose, would you rather get into a fight or steal? […] Read the full article →
my interviewers keep yawning in my face by Alison Green on April 16, 2015 A reader writes: Here’s a new one that is baffling me. I’m seriously looking for work, and generally get called to interview every few resumes I submit. I treat every interview seriously, and prepare, bring work samples, dress professionally, arrive 5 minutes early, make good eye contact, firm handshake, ask great questions (they respond with […] Read the full article →
how to develop someone’s troubleshooting skills by Alison Green on April 16, 2015 A reader writes: I wanted to get your advice on developing a team’s troubleshooting skills. I work with a group of analysts who do fine handling issues they’ve seen before, or when there’s a procedure that applies exactly, but have trouble troubleshooting less common situations. Unfortunately, the nature of our work means that it’s not […] Read the full article →
how can I force my company to let me work remotely? by Alison Green on April 16, 2015 A reader writes: I am the patient financial advocate for a large medical group in New Mexico. I have over two years tenure, and no one else holds this position at my company. My work has been described as excellent. No issues of any kind. Never called in sick, you get the idea. I am […] Read the full article →
my interviewer laughed at me, band manager is out of his gourd, and more by Alison Green on April 16, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My interviewer laughed at me I went on an interview for a marketing related job and met with three interviewers. As I was responding to the question of why I wanted to work for the company, I noticed one of the women glancing over across […] Read the full article →
my boss gives me deadlines and then gets annoyed when work isn’t finished early by Alison Green on April 15, 2015 A reader writes: I have a question about a supervisor who gives hard deadlines but then gets upset if you don’t meet them early. An example: She recently asked me to complete some edits on a document and said to be done in 7 days. After 4 days (on a Saturday!), I got an email […] Read the full article →
is it rude to cc higher-ups when another team is unresponsive? by Alison Green on April 15, 2015 A reader writes: I work in a professional school within a very large private university. A colleague of mine had been trying repeatedly to contact one of another department to set up a time-sensitive training for some new employees, without receiving a response. This department is notorious for it being difficult to get their attention. […] Read the full article →
a job applicant’s sister contacted me with questions on her sister’s behalf by Alison Green on April 15, 2015 A reader writes: I recently quit my job in February to stay home with my daughter. I parted with my company on very good terms and have a great rapport with my old boss. We still talk frequently; I send updates on my daughter and we have plans to meet up for drinks at the […] Read the full article →