can you frame time off to care for a baby as a “sabbatical”? by Alison Green on March 1, 2022 A reader writes: This is kind of a pedantic question, so I hope you have time to indulge it: What would your reaction be to a job applicant who referred to a period of unemployment (a sort of de facto maternity leave) as a sabbatical? This doesn’t apply to me, but I came across someone […] Read the full article →
are employers really so eager to hire right now? by Alison Green on January 6, 2022 We keep hearing that employers are desperate, can’t find good workers, and jobs are going unfilled … so if you’re currently job-searching, how does that match up with your own experience? Based on my mail, lots of people are still getting ignored by employers … or offered laughably low salaries … or seeing ads requiring […] Read the full article →
job seekers are ghosting employers … just like employers have done to them for years by Alison Green on October 25, 2021 In today’s topsy-turvy job market, a strange new thing is happening: Employers are increasingly grumbling about job seekers “ghosting” them. These job candidates just don’t show up for their scheduled interviews. And in some cases, they accept a job only to disappear. Employers don’t like this. But they’ve been doing this to workers for years, […] Read the full article →
when the red flags are even more ominous than you know… by Alison Green on October 14, 2021 In 2014, I received this letter. I get more mail than I can answer, and this one didn’t end up getting published. But read on, because there’s a twist coming. After following your cover letter and resume advice, I landed an interview for a position I would love to have. It is similar to my […] Read the full article →
employer says candidates must accept the job if it’s offered by Alison Green on October 11, 2021 A reader writes: I recently was referred to a job posting by a friend in my industry. While I am happily employed, it was definitely something I would consider. However, the posting ended with the line, “It is understood that any candidate applying for a full-time position will accept employment. Please do not apply if […] Read the full article →
how to make waiting to hear back about a job more bearable by Alison Green on October 7, 2021 A reader writes: I have a question about waiting to hear back about a job. I have been in the process of applying for a new position. I’ve had three interviews with the company, I know someone who works there who gave me a strong recommendation, and my background matches the position very well. Two […] Read the full article →
how soon is too soon to leave a panic job? by Alison Green on September 7, 2021 A reader writes: I took an “any port in a storm” type job due to the pandemic and am wondering what comes next. The background: After suddenly losing my job last year, I was thrown into an urgent job hunt. Four months ago, I landed a job with a decent salary, doing much the same […] Read the full article →
remote jobs that aren’t really remote by Alison Green on August 9, 2021 A reader writes: I am wondering how to deal with employers posting job vacancies as remote when, in reality, they want people to work from the office. And also, what is the deal with that? A few weeks ago, I applied for a job that was advertised as remote and open to people from a […] Read the full article →
I was rejected after a manager looked at my LinkedIn profile by Alison Green on July 15, 2021 A reader writes: I recently applied for a job at an organization that I am really interested in working for. On Monday, I noticed that a senior manager in the department had looked at my LinkedIn profile on Sunday. However, I received an automated rejection letter that morning. My profile is pretty similar to my […] Read the full article →
should I take my Etsy business off my resume? by Alison Green on July 8, 2021 A reader writes: Up until March of 2020, I worked as a supervisor in the food and beverage industry. I also continuously maintained an Etsy store, which I fell back on after my abrupt layoff. During the pandemic, people came online to shop in droves and I was the busiest I have ever been, but […] Read the full article →