update from the reader who was chastised by a networking contact by Alison Green on November 26, 2012 We had a letter last week from someone who had been chastised by a networking contact. She’d asked her contact — a fellow alumna — about whether she’d seen a particular movie. The contact responded by first criticizing the movie, noting that others shared her opinion, and then telling her not to ask “vacuous and […] Read the full article →
can I help my husband network through my own work contacts? by Alison Green on November 25, 2012 A reader writes: I know spouses shouldn’t get involved with each other’s job searches or careers. I am sooooooo not that person. But I’m wondering (whether and how) I can help my husband network with my contacts. Here’s the situation: My husband is in business school. He’s changing careers, and has targeted a specific company […] Read the full article →
my networking contact chastised me; how should I respond? by Alison Green on November 19, 2012 A reader writes: I graduated from college in May and became employed shortly after. A month ago, due to cuts, I was laid off and began rigorously looking for work again. I had been networking casually before, but this time I really started to network aggressively, reaching out to alumni who could potentially become professional […] Read the full article →
why would my former boss invite me to lunch? by Alison Green on November 12, 2012 A reader writes: Why would my former boss invite me to lunch? Haven’t seen or heard from him in over a year. My position was eliminated due to budget cuts. There are all kinds of possible reasons your boss might invite you to lunch: 1. He simply wants to catch up. Did the two of […] Read the full article →
my new networking group uses high-pressure sales tactics by Alison Green on November 11, 2012 A reader writes: As these networking and referral groups proliferate, I may not be the only one with this type of question. I appreciate your thoughts. I’m a professional, with a professional degree in the field in which I work. I receive a salary, but also half of whatever business I bring to the company. […] Read the full article →
how much should I help this struggling recent grad? by Alison Green on November 8, 2012 A reader writes: I have a question regarding helping a recent grad find their first job in their field. Without getting into convoluted details, a young person’s resume was passed along to me because she is looking to work in my field. I don’t personally know her, and frankly, I’m not wowed by her resume […] Read the full article →
how to cancel a lunch with someone who repeatedly reschedules by Alison Green on August 22, 2012 A reader writes: A couple of weeks ago, I met an executive who I thought was great, and I was interested in learning more about her and possibly forming a mentoring relationship since I am young and just started working after graduating in the spring. I approached her after hearing her speak and asked a couple of questions. Later […] Read the full article →
things that don’t belong on your LinkedIn profile by Alison Green on August 9, 2012 * PSAT/SAT/ACT scores (and it’s even weirder when your summary leads with these things and you are in your 40s) * statements that you are smarter and more talented than the person viewing your profile (As in, “I am smarter than you. I write better than you as well.” This is not quirky and charming; […] Read the full article →
someone I recommended lied to me by Alison Green on July 13, 2012 A reader writes: A colleague asked me to recommend her for a job with a company I used to work for. Based on my recommendation, she got the job. A few weeks later, she said she was quitting to go to grad school, and had only wanted the job because it paid more and she […] Read the full article →
how to respond to a bad networking email by Alison Green on June 11, 2012 A reader writes: As I’ve advanced in my career, I’ve had many new contacts reach out to me trying to network… and doing it the wrong way. These are friends of friends, LinkedIn third-degree connections, sisters of cousins of high school friends, college students in my school’s alumni group, that kind of thing. I’ve repeatedly […] Read the full article →