A reader writes: You very kindly answered a previous question from me that really helped me – thank you! But today I have a dilemma about something I did, that’s divided my friends. I’m genuinely interested in the different reactions, and I promise I’m not just looking for validation, I promise, so would love a […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: I was curious, after years of writing this column, do you still get letters that surprise you? Do the reactions from the commenters ever surprise you? Have you ever thought that the conversation about a letter would go one way and it went completely the opposite way? What surprises you the most […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: Let me first say that this email might come across as whiny and/or juvenile, but I want you to know on the front end that I truly want input and help. Have you ever heard of someone who hates work? I don’t mean hates their job, their boss, or their coworkers. I […]
Read the full article →I get a lot of requests to give people feedback on their resumes, but because it’s time-consuming to do it well, I usually turn them down unless they’re friends or family. But for a short time, I’m re-opening the resume review offer that I’ve run a couple of times before. When I’ve offered this in […]
Read the full article →A reader writes: I’m planning to leave my job in 18 months to go back to school full-time. My spouse and I are also trying to get pregnant. In one scenario, we get pregnant more quickly and I’d be out on leave for my industry’s really intense season (think tax season for an accounting firm). […]
Read the full article →Some readers have asked for a post on the behind-the-scenes working of Ask a Manager. For the majority of you for whom this will be boring, skip this post! But for those of you who like the insider-y details about how the site works, here’s your post … ask away and I’ll answer in the comments. […]
Read the full article →I know a lot of you have experienced problems with the ads here over the last week or two — video ads that automatically play sound without your permission and mobile ads that redirect you to the App Store for no apparent reason. This happened when I transferred to a new ad network and encountered […]
Read the full article →You asked for Chocolate Teapots merchandise, and it’s here. You can buy Chocolate Teapots mugs, totes, shirts, and more at the new Chocolate Teapots Ltd. online store. (For anyone confused about what this is: Chocolate Teapots Ltd. is the fictional Ask a Manager company that we’ve often used as a stand-in when discussing real-life work situations here.)
Read the full article →Recently I discovered that a commenter here, Lauren, used to work as a professional matchmaker, and you can’t reveal that kind of info to me without me insisting on knowing more. Luckily, she graciously agreed to be interviewed, and here’s our Q&A. How did you end up in this job? And how long were you […]
Read the full article →We have a regular commenter, hildi, who has always impressed me with her ability to navigate potentially heated topics kindly, in a very relatable way, and without seeming adversarial to either side. Here’s an example from a few weeks ago, when she was talking to a letter-writer who was allowing a former friend to really mess […]
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