how do you learn what types of jobs exist? by Alison Green on April 14, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: When you’re trying to make a major career pivot, how do you even learn what sort of jobs are out there? For context: In 2014, I enrolled in a seven-year grad program with the goal of becoming a college professor. I was passionate about teaching, […] Read the full article →
the dog-riding child, the overheard therapy session, and other Zoom meeting mishaps by Alison Green on April 13, 2022 Last week I asked about the funniest mishaps you’ve witnessed on Zoom calls. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The dog Not a gaffe exactly, but the absolute best thing I saw on Zoom during 2020 while schools were closed here was a coworker’s son RIDING INTO HER OFFICE ATOP THE […] Read the full article →
the flosser, the disrobers, and other Zoom mishaps: share your stories by Alison Green on April 7, 2022 More than two years into the pandemic and a lot of us still are committing gaffes on video calls — from the person flossing on video, to the kid who screamed “I’m naked and you can’t do anything about it,” to so so many incidents of disrobing. In the comment section today, let’s hear about the […] Read the full article →
my ambitious, driven self is gone – and I don’t feel like working anymore by Alison Green on March 31, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I feel like I’m at a bit of a crossroads. I used to love reading your site because I really identified with the letter writers aiming to improve their careers and furthering their professional growth. That’s always been me: self-starting and passionate and dedicated. It […] Read the full article →
the axe thrower, the carpet glue, and other astounding first impressions made by new employees by Alison Green on March 30, 2022 Last week I asked about the most astounding first impression you’ve seen made by a new coworker. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The axe We had a guy apply for a staff job. His very first day he was helping clean up brush along the edge of a mountain biking […] Read the full article →
what’s the most astounding first impression you’ve seen a new hire make? by Alison Green on March 24, 2022 Most people try to make a good impression when they start a new job. Others … do not or, perhaps, cannot. Think, for example, of the new hire who was already badmouthing the business on Twitter, the employee plotting a coup on her second day, and the new hire who brought their mom to orientation… It’s […] Read the full article →
the quiet floor, the ghost cat, and other stories from college RAs by Alison Green on March 21, 2022 Last week I asked for stories from people who were RAs (resident assistants) in college. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The dog Rather than write up a student for having a dog illegally, I just made an agreement that I could let myself in when she wasn’t there so I […] Read the full article →
if you were an RA in college, now is your time to spill by Alison Green on March 17, 2022 Were you an RA in college and do you have stories? We want to hear them. On last week’s post about misusing power for good, one commenter contributed this: Junior year in college, I befriended our RA. There was a room between mine and the RA’s, and two students who liked to “study” to loud […] Read the full article →
the plum liquor, the free lunches, and other times people used their power for good by Alison Green on March 14, 2022 Last week I asked about times you’ve seen people misuse their power for good. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The over-orderer In one of my first professional jobs, where I was paid barely over minimum wage, any time my boss ordered in lunch for a client, he would “accidentally” over-order […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about people “misusing” their power for good by Alison Green on March 10, 2022 Last week we talked about the smallest amount of power you’ve ever seen someone abuse. But people can also use even small amounts of power for good — like the crossing guard who wasn’t really a crossing guard, or the graphic designer who sabotaged a homophobic group’s ad in her newspaper. This week, let’s talk about times when […] Read the full article →