my boss wants me to name my weaknesses at monthly meetings by Alison Green on September 8, 2015 A reader writes: I have a new boss. Every month, we have an informal “catch-up” scheduled where I am supposed to: * showcase an accomplishment * name a weakness * discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the boss (guess what’s never actually discussed) We’ve had one catch-up, and when pressed for a weakness, I instead […] Read the full article →
job candidate lied about his work history, not working oneself to death during a notice period, and more by Alison Green on September 8, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I tell a job candidate that I know he lied about his work history or just reject him without saying why? We have an open staff position and a promising applicant applied. I did a phone interview and he was great. We talked about […] Read the full article →
cheerleaders at work, misdirected selfies, and more by Alison Green on September 7, 2015 It’s Labor Day, so in place of a final post today, here are a few articles I found interesting recently. 1. Internet companies in China are bringing in “programming cheerleaders,” women whose job is to “that help create a fun work environment,” including buying programmers breakfast, chatting, and playing ping-pong with them. No, seriously. 2. Job seeker […] Read the full article →
do hiring managers really care about your GPA? by Alison Green on September 7, 2015 A reader writes: How important is a college (or high school) GPA, graduating summa cum laude, etc. to hiring managers? I teach college students, and have a number who are convinced that anything other than a 4.0 is a death knell for all their future plans. While I know that my voice alone can’t counteract […] Read the full article →
coworker mock-slaps me, reporting a coworker’s inappropriate comments, and more by Alison Green on September 7, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker regularly mock-slaps me with a clipboard while yelling at me The manager of the department next to mine frequently marches in front of my desk and, in a standing position, mocks slapping my face with a clipboard while yelling, stomping her feet, and pointing […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – September 5-6, 2015 by Alison Green on September 5, 2015 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 no work and no school. If you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.) Book Recommendation of the Week: Station […] Read the full article →
can bad employees and bad managers change? by Alison Green on September 4, 2015 A reader writes: I am a passionate fan of AAM and often try to guess what you would advise for my own dysfunctional job. Boiled down, my boss needs to stop avoiding confrontation and rein in his apathetic and lazy children before the rest of us give up in disgust. I was scheming how to […] Read the full article →
Friday open thread – September 4, 2015 by Alison Green on September 4, 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 →
recruiter contacted me at my work email address, interviewing for a job where I’d work at a small table in my boss’s office, and more by Alison Green on September 4, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m interviewing for a job where I’d work at a small table in my boss’s office I have a second interview coming up for an admin position in a small company (less than 30 employees). I am a seasoned admin, coming from a much larger […] Read the full article →
my friend fabricated his resume and now wants me to be his reference by Alison Green on September 3, 2015 A reader writes: I got a voicemail today for a reference check on a former coworker / casual friend. I had no idea this call was coming, but I’ve been in management for a few years and get these often enough, so it’s not a big deal. So I reached out to him asking for […] Read the full article →