I referred a friend to a freelancer I work with and it went badly by Alison Green on November 8, 2023 A reader writes: A few years ago, I found a really excellent freelancer, Jane, to do some design work for the small firm I work at. She did such a great job and was so lovely to work with that we have continued to contract with her for various projects, and I’ve referred several colleagues […] Read the full article →
how to tell a pushy networker to back off by Alison Green on August 17, 2023 A reader writes: I’m increasingly finding myself in a place where newer professionals are asking to talk about getting started after school, or asking for advice. I always jump at the chance to help however I can and I’m universally flattered when anyone asks to meet with me. I’m struggling, however, with one person who […] Read the full article →
what are your best tips for attending professional conferences? by Alison Green on July 27, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a question that seems like it would be well-suited for an Ask the Readers. I am looking for tips about attending professional conferences. In particular, I am a grad student who is entering a new field and there is a one-day conference that […] Read the full article →
how do I politely end conversations at networking events? by Alison Green on May 8, 2023 A reader writes: Once you’ve got talking to someone at a networking event, and both people have got what they needed out of the conversation, how do you politely move on? I’m on the board of an association that pays for me to attend various networking events. I want to get the most out of […] Read the full article →
what’s up with this rude and entitled networker? by Alison Green on February 9, 2023 A reader writes: A friend of mine works in community development and occasionally comes across young people who she thinks would do well to learn more about my field. She recently asked permission to put me in touch with a college sophomore. Mine is a high paying, prestigious, and extremely interesting field that most college […] Read the full article →
I was hit on at a conference … was I too friendly? by Alison Green on October 11, 2022 A reader writes: My spouse and I are in the same field and usually attend conferences together. Generally we don’t spend that much time together at conferences, touching base a couple of times throughout the day (often mostly via text) and then having dinner and going to the room together, but people know we’re married. […] Read the full article →
my friend won’t stop complaining about the candidates I’ve referred to her by Alison Green on July 25, 2022 A reader writes: I wanted your thoughts about a situation involving a friend of mine. We used to work together in the same department of the same company; I left a few years ago and no longer work at the company at all, while she was promoted to director. Outside of work, we have stayed […] Read the full article →
how many times can I ask a networking contact for help? by Alison Green on June 23, 2022 A reader writes: How many times is it appropriate to reach out to networking contacts for informational interviews, referrals, connections, etc.? I have been searching on and off over the past two years. I don’t want to take advantage of my older networking contacts who have already helped me, and I would certainly return any […] Read the full article →
should I let my parents help me network? by Alison Green on May 26, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My question is about networking and family. My parents and I are in the same field, and I definitely was helped from the very beginning of my career by their experience and connections. Now that I’m finishing graduate school however, I feel that I want […] Read the full article →
how do I get away from clingy networkers at events? by Alison Green on April 18, 2022 A reader writes: I am fortunate to be fairly well-known in my field and attend a lot of professional events. I try to meet as many new people and existing contacts as possible during these events, as part of my purpose in attending is to make the contacts I need to do my work. At […] Read the full article →