open thread – October 20-21, 2023 by Alison Green on October 20, 2023 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions 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 take your questions to […] Read the full article →
I sounded like a know-it-all in front of my boss, seeking more lucrative offers when I don’t want to leave, and more by Alison Green on October 20, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I sounded like a know-it-all in front of my boss I started at a new company recently. When I started, I learned that a lot of my colleagues in the department worked together at a different company and all of them had known each other […] Read the full article →
did this application process go overboard? by Alison Green on October 19, 2023 A reader writes: I’m a senior level director with 25+ years of experience and two degrees. A colleague suggested I apply for an open position at a very prestigious organization so I did. When I started the process, I was excited, but by the time I was done, I was frustrated and uninterested in the […] Read the full article →
I don’t want my long hours to make my team feel pressured to work late too by Alison Green on October 19, 2023 A reader writes: I work a lot, and I am worried that my schedule is making my team feel like they have to follow suit. It’s fine for them to work 40 hours a week (which I definitely do not do) but I’ve noticed stuff like them staying late or offering anxiously to be available […] Read the full article →
bombing an interview: let’s discuss by Alison Green on October 19, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I bombed an interview today. Like seriously bombed, worst interview of my life. My brain just turned off. Could you request stories of other humiliating interviews so I don’t feel so alone? I went straight home and got into bed and right now I am […] Read the full article →
coworker is being a jerk about my bereavement leave, constantly coughing coworker, and more by Alison Green on October 19, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker is being a jerk about my bereavement leave A few weeks ago, on a Sunday, my beloved companion of many years, my dog, passed away. My company offers a two-day pet bereavement leave, and upon returning to work after this period, I encountered […] Read the full article →
my coworkers resent that my boss no longer yells at me by Alison Green on October 18, 2023 A reader writes: During the interview for my current job at a small family-owned company, I was informed that one of the people I would be working with, Bob, had a strong personality and was challenging to work with. What I wasn’t told is that Bob is the owner’s husband. One of the reasons he’s […] Read the full article →
my client refuses to pay my cancellation fee by Alison Green on October 18, 2023 A reader writes: I have a friend, Frank, who I met because we both enjoy certain sports. I only see Frank when I am involved in this sport, but it’s a small community so everyone knows each other. Because my business caters to this sport, Frank decided he would like to use my service. And […] Read the full article →
my coworkers complain I’m violating the dress code, but I’m not by Alison Green on October 18, 2023 A reader writes: I started a new role in a very corporate environment in December. At the time I was actually interviewing for a lower level position with Company X but the department managers who interviewed me apparently liked my skill set and interview performance enough to create an entirely new position just for me. […] Read the full article →
I don’t want to hear about all the snacks our main office gets, interviewing after scandal, and more by Alison Green on October 18, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I don’t want to hear about all the snacks our main office gets I work for a medium-sized law firm. In addition to our main office, we have three small satellite offices; I’ve been assigned to a satellite office (about a 10-minute drive from the […] Read the full article →