weekend open thread – January 23-24, 2021 by Alison Green on January 23, 2021 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: I Suck at Girls, by Justin Halpern. A very funny book of essays about the author’s dating life from boyhood on, entwined throughout with highly amusing advice […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on January 22, 2021 It’s your Friday good news, with more accounts of success even in this weird time. 1. I’m very surprised to be one of the people writing in for good news Friday, but here I am! Attempting to leave academia this year, I was feeling fairly doomed. But thanks to an unconventional hiring process that prioritized […] Read the full article →
open thread – January 22-23, 2021 by Alison Green on January 22, 2021 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 (that includes school). 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 →
anti-vaxx coworker is verifying vaccinations, paying for a cover letter, and more by Alison Green on January 22, 2021 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Anti-vaxx coworker has job verifying vaccinations I work at a college as an admin assistant. One of the other admin assistants will be assisting in measles vaccination verification soon. She is an anti-vaxxer. What makes this situation trickier is that she has had integrity issues. […] Read the full article →
my networking meetings aren’t leading to interviews by Alison Green on January 21, 2021 A reader writes: I’ve been job-hunting for many, many months now, and recently a personal connection was able to introduce me to several high-level contacts in my desired industry. (I am three years post-college graduation and looking for a role in social justice/community organizing.) Through this contact I have spoken to senior/executive-director level people at […] Read the full article →
update: we’re being re-hired for work that doesn’t exist by Alison Green on January 21, 2021 Remember the letter-writer whose employer — a theater — had laid everyone off but then re-hired them when they got a federal pandemic loan, and she was worried they’d just be laid off again when the loan ran out? (#4 at the link) Here’s the update. You answered my question about this in 2020, and […] Read the full article →
household employees keep ghosting me by Alison Green on January 21, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m the manager (also parent) for the lives of two kids under 5 years old. Their first childcare provider was a miraculously perfect fit for part-time work; lived nearby (convenient for last minute shifts, never late due to 5 minute car commute) was very flexible, […] Read the full article →
yelling at work, coworkers smokes e-cigarettes after being told to stop, and more by Alison Green on January 21, 2021 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it ever okay to yell at work? I know you give the advice that yelling is unprofessional, but is it ever acceptable? Years and years ago, I had a coworker who didn’t respect personal boundaries. The first time he touched me, it was a […] Read the full article →
my awful former boss is my new coworker’s sister by Alison Green on January 20, 2021 A reader writes: I’m a freelancer in a creative industry, and recently I’ve started a new project with a new company. The other night I was invited to their monthly team drinks as a way to welcome me aboard. One of the managers I was introduced to, Bob, said he had read my resume and […] Read the full article →
how big of a deal is lying on a resume? by Alison Green on January 20, 2021 A reader writes: I am a director of a local nonprofit with a very visible presence in our area. Two years ago, I hired a new associate director, Gina, after she had amazing interviews and strong references. She has proven to be exceptional in her role. Eager, great sense of humor, very intelligent, poised, I […] Read the full article →