the fraudulent bread pudding, the fig fight, and other food stories from work by Alison Green on November 20, 2023 All this week to get us in the holiday spirit, I’m going to be featuring holiday work stories readers have shared here in the past … and then updates season will start next week! To kick us off, here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared about potlucks and other food gatherings at work […] Read the full article →
how do I stop bringing work stress home with me? by Alison Green on November 16, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work a full-time corporate job and am a manager. I have a fair amount of stress related to my job, but I don’t believe it’s above the norm, in relation to other jobs I have. In terms of stakes, I’m not in charge of […] Read the full article →
when office potlucks and catered parties go wrong by Alison Green on November 9, 2023 As we’re getting closer to the season of office potlucks, catered parties, and other meals with coworkers, let’s discuss the many ways in which they can go wrong — from alarming cuisine to cheap-ass rolls to tantrums over the chili cook-off to that one coworker who steals entire trays of brownies. In the comment section, […] Read the full article →
what advice is important but you’ll never hear it from an employer? by Alison Green on November 2, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m not sure what you would call this request, but I guess it’s to crowdsource what an employer might call “subversive” advice for early-career employees: the things they need to know to benefit them but that employers would prefer they didn’t know. I’m thinking of […] Read the full article →
have you ever had a spooky experience at work? by Alison Green on October 31, 2023 Did you ever work somewhere haunted? Feel the ghost of your predecessor marooned in your office? Encounter an evil spirit lurking in the copier? It’s Halloween, so let’s hear all your stories about spooky experiences at work. Share in the comment section! And to start us off, here are some particularly creepy stories from past […] Read the full article →
the aggressive brownie recipe, the bad math and other times you mortified yourself in job interviews by Alison Green on October 30, 2023 Earlier this month, I asked you to share stories of bombed interviews and other job search mortifications. Here’s part two (part one was last week). 1. The phlebotomist I once applied for a job where it could reasonably be assumed that you would need phlebotomy experience. The ad did not explicitly say that, though, and […] Read the full article →
how do people find the career path that’s right for them? by Alison Green on October 26, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have been in my professional career for just over 10 years, and I am still trying to figure out what to be when I grow up. I have never had a clear idea of the “right” career for me, and the standard advice of […] Read the full article →
the overheard self-talk, the shoplifting, and other times you mortified yourself in job interviews by Alison Green on October 25, 2023 Last week I asked you to share stories of bombed interviews and other job search mortifications. It turns out … there were a lot of stories. So many that I couldn’t fit my favorites in one post. Here’s part one, and part two is coming next week. 1. The coffins An interviewer once asked how […] Read the full article →
the adult bibs, the talking shrimp, and other unusual office traditions by Alison Green on October 23, 2023 One of the most interesting things about offices is how they develop their own subcultures, rituals, and traditions. I recently asked about unusual office traditions you’ve seen or experienced, and here are some of my favorites you shared. • My office has a “talking shrimp” that we use instead of a “talking stick” in brainstorming […] 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 →