how do I build a professional wardrobe when I’m just starting out? by Alison Green on January 30, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m (she/her) going to be graduating and beginning work next year. I’ll be working in a more professional environment than I have in the past, and I’m thinking about building up my wardrobe. What are good pieces to have? I’ve been buying blazers and button-down […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about bombed interviews and other job search mortifications by Alison Green on January 23, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: Today I had the worst job interview of my entire life. I am a young graduate professional who had the opportunity for a job that would have put my in a great position financially and mentally. It wasn’t a dream job, because those don’t exist, […] Read the full article →
dealing with stress about the Australian fires at work by Alison Green on January 16, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. This week, it’s two questions, similar topics. Here’s the first: I have been living and working overseas for five years, but my hometown and family are very near to some of the fires that are currently burning in Australia. My colleagues are generally aware of this and someone […] Read the full article →
how do I shut down coworkers who demand an explanation for my occasional wheelchair? by Alison Green on January 9, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I am a residence life professional living with multiple chronic illnesses. I have a form of dysautonomia, which has a variety of symptoms including but not limited to being unable to walk. This ebbs and flows in severity: sometimes I can walk completely fine, sometimes […] Read the full article →
the swingers, the fist fight, and other stories of holiday chaos by Alison Green on December 25, 2019 Earlier this month, I asked you to share your funniest office holiday stories. Here are eight of my favorites … in addition to, obviously, the greatest office holiday party story of all time. (Note: Some of these are mildly NSFW.) 1. The laps “First proper job, aged 18, in the UK where the drinking age is […] Read the full article →
the best office holiday party date story of all time by Alison Green on December 5, 2019 Earlier today, I asked people to share their funniest office holiday stories. I love this one with all my heart and hereby present it to you: When I was fresh out of college, a dude in my social circle invited me to his fancy work Christmas party. He was a teacher, so I’d kind of […] Read the full article →
let’s hear your funniest office holiday stories by Alison Green on December 5, 2019 In the spirit of the holiday season, I want to hear about office holiday-related debacles. Did a coworker throw a tantrum when she didn’t win a raffle? Did your CEO send out an epic email demanding apologies for bad behavior at the company holiday party? Did your boss celebrate the season by offering poinsettias in […] Read the full article →
the document bonfire, the dragon video call, and other amazing work moments by Alison Green on November 28, 2019 One of my favorite things about running this site is getting to hear people’s mortifying stories from their pasts. In lieu of any more posts today since it’s Thanksgiving, here are some of my favorites from the last 12 years. •. •. •. •. •. “I work from home, and since my job doesn’t require […] Read the full article →
how to discuss moving for a job with your partner, when your partner might not want to move by Alison Green on November 21, 2019 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m in my last year of a PhD program and am currently on the job hunt. This graduate program has been a really long process — I was meant to graduate earlier, but some family and health issues came up that pushed the graduation back […] Read the full article →
what do you wish new grads learned in college? by Alison Green on November 14, 2019 A reader writes: This might be an “ask the readers” question — what do managers (and coworkers!) wish new graduates would have learned in college? I teach a lot of first- and second-year college students, and I try to incorporate professional norms into my classes and course design. I begin each class period with a […] Read the full article →