what are the strangest things you’ve seen in resumes and cover letters? by Alison Green on May 23, 2024 Let’s discuss the weirdest things you’ve seen on resumes and in cover letters. To kick us off, some highlights from past commenters: One of my coworkers once received a super long cover letter that included the fact that the candidate had been proudly celibate for several years. A college student applied for a summer internship […] Read the full article →
my project was moved to another team, employer wants everyone back in the office, and more by Alison Green on May 23, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I feel like a failure because a project was moved to another team I received an unexpected meeting invite today and was surprised our manager would take time away for a meeting when we were in a dire time crunch on a major project for […] Read the full article →
our boss is being a jerk about bereavement leave for miscarriages by Alison Green on May 22, 2024 A reader writes: My company recently updated our bereavement policy. While reviewing it in our company-wide staff meeting, a staff member asked if a miscarriage would qualify and the immediate answer was “no.” No room for discussion. The temperature of the room immediately dropped; it was so uncomfortable. I am not a mother, have ever […] Read the full article →
should I hire an ex? by Alison Green on May 22, 2024 A reader writes: My company is starting a massive and complex two-year project. We advertised but after interviews we haven’t found a suitable candidate for the position that’s probably most critical. Rather than advertise again given the urgency, we’ve tapping our networks for candidates to interview. One of my exes has the qualifications to be […] Read the full article →
employee treats coworkers as if they stink by Alison Green on May 22, 2024 A reader writes: I work with a group of people who are public-facing in a building (retail/public service type environment) and we rotate people on different desks on a set schedule throughout the day. I have a few coworkers who are sensitive to fragrances, and our policy was recently updated to be a “fragrance-reasonable” workplace. […] Read the full article →
I’m scared of hiring my first employee, an email squabble, and more by Alison Green on May 22, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Was I wrong in this email squabble? I have a question about a little email tussel I recently ended up in. I am a contractor for a professional services agency and was working on a project for a client. Part of my work includes using […] Read the full article →
update: are we supposed to accept “touch” as an “appreciation language” at work? by Alison Green on May 21, 2024 Remember last week’s letter-writer whose company was doing a session on the “five languages of appreciation in the workplace” which for some inexplicable reason included “touch”? Here’s the update. The meeting came and went, so I thought I’d update you. Our team is hybrid with some people fully remote, so the meeting was fortunately not […] Read the full article →
I’m supposed to fire my husband’s ex-wife by Alison Green on May 21, 2024 A reader writes: I have recently accepted a job I am excited about. I have been working a long time to get to this level of position. I am taking a week off before starting my new position. While I was interviewing for the new position, they mentioned that one of my potential direct reports, […] Read the full article →
I think my nanny candidate used a fake reference by Alison Green on May 21, 2024 A reader writes: I’m looking for a part-time nanny for my young daughter. I posted on a reputable online job board that connects parents and caregivers, and I received several applications. One of them, a young woman I’ll call Aurora, quickly became my top candidate. She had great experience, special expertise, and her caregiving philosophy […] Read the full article →
manager who makes too many assumptions, spending sick leave in Cancun, and more by Alison Green on May 21, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I manage a manager who makes too many assumptions about everything I manage a manager, Jane, who openly for all to hear assumes motivations for our clients, consumers, and employees on everything. It’s not only unhelpful, but it also is incorrect. For example, we had […] Read the full article →