I was one of the interns fired for writing a proposal for a more flexible...
A reader writes: I am writing to you because I was fired from my internship last summer. It’s how I found your blog actually, the aftermath of it all. One of the other interns wrote you an email about...
View Articledoes your college major really matter when you’re looking for a job?
A reader writes: I’m a few years out of college, but I’m still looking for that full-time “career” job. One career path that I have a tiny bit of experience in, and am interested in pursuing, is...
View Articlewhy are employers so rude to job candidates?
A reader writes: I’ve been job hunting for about 18 months and I can’t handle all of the broken promises. I’ve had people make offers of help and then disappear. I’ve had interview offers rescinded...
View Articlewhat subject line should I use when I’m emailing a job application?
A reader writes: When I’m applying to a job that wants me to email my resume and cover letter, what should I put in the subject line of the email? I’m sure I’m over-thinking this, but I’m also sure...
View Articlewhy won’t anyone hire me as their visionary?
I’m having a hectic week, with preparing for a move, so some posts this week will be reprints from years ago. This is one of my favorite posts from November 2010. A reader writes: I am very talented in...
View Articleshould I ask job interviewers to sign a confidentiality agreement?
A reader writes: I recently received a job offer for a job I was qualified for based on experience, but underqualified for on paper – I was lacking a certification. The odds were stacked against me,...
View Articlehow legit are those “best places to work” lists?
A reader writes: I’m wondering how legit these “best places to work” lists are. My husband is currently job hunting and we just 86’d a company that had all kinds of “best place to work” awards but when...
View Articlehow hiring managers decide who to interview
Ever wonder what hiring managers are thinking as the read over your resume, and how they choose who to interview and who to reject? I’ve screened thousands of candidates for jobs, and I can tell you...
View Articlemy interview on Marketplace about how to job search
I was on public radio’s Marketplace Weekend this weekend, talking about job searching, including: how job searching has changed in recent years computerized resume screening (it’s not what you think!)...
View Articlehow do employers know if you’re answering “have you ever been fired” honestly?
A reader writes: I’ve always wondered how employers check if you’ve ever been fired. I know this is a common pre-screening question. It’s shown up on several job applications I’ve filled out...
View Articlehere’s the right way to submit your resume online
Applying for jobs online isn’t always straightforward — often far from it. Online application systems can be confusing or unwieldy or enraging. Here are the most common questions I receive about...
View Articleask the readers: what red flags while you were interviewing turned out to be...
We talk a lot here about “red flags” that warn you that a job may not be one you’ll be happy in. But red flags can be tough to spot when you really, really want (or need) a job; it’s often pretty easy...
View Articlehow to get hired for a nonprofit job
Want to get paid to help make the world a better place? Working at a nonprofit organization might be for you. But if you don’t already have nonprofit experience in your background, there are some...
View Articlehow can I explain why I’m leaving my new job after only three months?
A reader writes: I started a new job about three months ago and have quickly realized that it is a very bad fit. During the interview, I asked several questions about things that are important to me,...
View Articlehow long should it take to hear back after you apply for a job?
It’s been a while since we tackled this! A reader writes: What’s an average time you should expect to wait to hear if you will get an interview after you submit an online job application? I’ve read...
View Articleshould I work for a tiny organization?
A reader writes: My husband works in the public school system (not a teacher) and is considering a job offer with a one-person nonprofit. He and the CEO will be the only employees aside from...
View Articlewill it hurt me to apply for multiple jobs at the same company?
A reader writes: I’ve been trying to start a career at the entry-level in a difficult industry to break into for quite some time. I wasn’t as tenacious as I should have been in my initial round of...
View Articleis it more effective to introduce myself to a company with a cold email...
A reader writes: I am working with a career counseling service that is giving me all kinds of resume and job seeking advice. I told them the kind of job/company I want to work for, and there are two...
View Articlewhen writing to a hiring manager, should I mention a shared hobby?
A reader writes: I graduated with a master’s degree a few months ago, and have been looking for a job in my field ever since. I always thought that this degree would make my job search very swift and...
View Articlewhat’s the best day of the week to apply for a job?
A reader writes: Is there is a certain day and time of the week that is best for applying to online job postings? For example, is it better to apply Monday morning versus Friday afternoon? I was...
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