employers with rigid interview days and times by Alison Green on May 7, 2015 A reader writes: What do you think about employers who have very limited days that they’re willing to schedule an interview with you? (For example, the interview absolutely HAS to be this Thursday or Friday. Usually in these cases the days are in the very near future as well.) If I’m available (or if it’s […] Read the full article →
how to oversee a remote team’s work by Alison Green on May 7, 2015 When your team is spread out and working remotely rather than all sharing the same space, how can you track everyone’s work and make sure you know where projects stand and whether you’re hitting your goals? 1. Ensure that you and your team are tightly aligned on what successful work looks like for the year […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: how can I avoid making friends at work? by Alison Green on May 7, 2015 I throwing this one out to readers to weigh in on. A reader writes: In a couple of weeks, I’m transferring to another office within the same company where I currently work. I was hoping you could give me some advice on how to politely not make friends in my new office. Here’s the thing: […] Read the full article →
do I have to buy my boss a wedding gift, my interview slot was revoked, and more by Alison Green on May 7, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have to buy my boss a wedding gift? I know that social convention dictates that one wedding invitation equals one gift, and workplace rules generally say that gifts flow down, not up. I don’t socialize with my boss (or anyone in my department) […] Read the full article →
my trainer at my new job lied about me to our boss by Alison Green on May 6, 2015 A reader writes: I recently started a new job. I NEED this job. It’s full-time, permanent, and for a fantastic wage in an area where job prospects are so bad that, aside from 2-3 month temp contracts and zero hour work, I was unemployed for over 3 years before this. And I’m good at it. […] Read the full article →
what’s the etiquette for calling coworkers outside of normal work hours? by Alison Green on May 6, 2015 A reader writes: My husband called a coworker Tuesday night after 10:30 pm and talked until almost midnight about business. This person was also on vacation. This was not an emergency call and I feel, regardless of whether the coworker kept the communication going, that my husband was out of bounds in making this call. […] Read the full article →
my manager refers to me as her “supermodel” by Alison Green on May 6, 2015 A reader writes: I am the most junior employee at a small non-for-profit. My supervisor is a 66-year-old woman, who is very sweet but a little overbearing. We work very closely with another organization, who provide services similar to the ones we do, and the head of that organization is a very beautiful, tall 28-year-old […] Read the full article →
playing mini golf before an interview, disciplined for topless post-mastectomy photo on Facebook, and more by Alison Green on May 6, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Playing mini golf while waiting for an interview If there is mini golf available in the lobby of the professional office where your interview is, should you play or not? A company that has mini golf in its lobby presumably is the sort of company […] Read the full article →
can I tell coworkers I don’t want to chat when I arrive early and am working on personal projects? by Alison Green on May 5, 2015 A reader writes: I have a part-time job with hours that change day-to-day, but due to carpooling arrangements I usually arrive early. Because of this, I’ll bring my laptop and work on personal projects, freelance artwork, etc. One of my coworkers likes to arrive early too, but apparently for the purpose of socializing. She’ll walk […] Read the full article →
how to manage a project where roles aren’t clear by Alison Green on May 5, 2015 Ever managed or worked on a project where it wasn’t clear who should be playing what role, some pieces of the work didn’t get done, and the project languished because no one was explicitly charged with driving the project onward? (If you’ve ever been involved with any project with multiple people, the answer is probably […] Read the full article →