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Calling the Interviewer after the Interview for Feedback It's been a week after I had an interview with a bank. They told my recruiter that I had done well and it is looking good for me. However, it's been a week and my recruiter has not been able to reach any of them for feedback and neither have I heard anything, al...
If you do anything more than sending an E-mail to say "Thank you, I enjoyed meeting you", you will reduce your chance to be hired.
How hard is to sponsor an overseas developer from outside the US/UK? This question has been bugging me for over a year already. I've been working as freelancer or on a remote basis since I started earning money for programming (around 8 years ago). Despite the fact that I don't have the amount of experience that many...
yes, sponsoring a candidate in your situation is very hard. You can get information about those very limited situations where your government can let you leave and emigrate to another country and adopt a strategy to qualify for one of those.
Asking a potential employer for references Normally when you are looking for a job you are asked for references. Would it be fair to ask the company for references as well? For example, could they give me two managers and two developers to talk to about the company? <Q> What you may be really looking for are some more ...
It's a great idea, just don't make any references to it being "references" (and excuse the pun). While I would say it can be fair, there are some possible issues you may run across in some cases.
How to test specific written communication skills in an interview setting When evaluating candidates for technical support positions, one of the requirements is that the candidate must be able to communicate well with the developers and the clients. So, as an interviewer, it is my job -- in the span of half an hour -- ...
One thing you could ask is to write a document on a technical project the candidate worked on previously (either as a school project or a previous job), and ask him to report the most difficult challenges he met while working on the project.
Applying for a position, getting offer on another I recently applied for a position of technical management at a local company. Upon reviewing my history they determined I would not be well suited for the management position but they were very interested to have me at a technical spot. Should I continue to entertain,...
You could entertain their other offer if you like it (you'd like to do the work, you are qualified, the compensation is good).
Are there situations in which an employer would accept a candidate that doesn't meet posted requirements? I just came across a job which require the following: Degree in IT related discipline; 2 - 6 years application development experience in COBOL/VSAM, CICS IBM Main frame, Database Knowledge of DB2 is a plus G...
When there is a choice and with all other things being equal , yes employers want to hire the most competent candidate.
Should I try and remain seated as much as possible while at a desk job? I have been observing my supervisor and found that he doesn't move around much. In contrast, I move around the office quite often. I go to the restroom, go to the pantry to refill my tea about 5-6 times a day, etc Maybe sitting in front of the com...
Certainly being at your workstation all day gives the impression of working hard, but it's easy to "slack off" while still appearing to be working, and not moving all day can be bad for your health. I've seen quite a few people at work not doing a lot of stuff all day long and jumping into their seats once the boss arr...
How often should I contact a company when they keep telling me my application is "under consideration"? I've been through three interviews with one company: an initial phone interview, a 1hr phone interview with director, and was flown in and stayed overnight for the 3rd interview. I feel the interviews all went well, ...
So, my suggestion is to simply move on - you have done your due diligence and excessive follow up might raise a red flag for them. I would send another e-mail after two weeks, or perhaps talk to the HR department, and ask them for a time line on when you should hear by.
What username to use for my own domain on a resume? I've been reading around, but I want to see what would employers or what does the general prefer to use or see for their e-mail address? I have my own domain. Some say to do: resume@johndoe.com And I've also read:johndoe@johndoe.com Which I think is really repetit...
I'd go with john@johndoe.com, or if that seems too informal then
How do you diplomatically say that something cannot technically be done? I'm working on the tech side of a company, and the business side sometimes asks for things that cannot be done. Yet, I never want to say "XYZ is impossible". Maybe it's possible but it would take 20 years to do, or maybe it's simply not worth my t...
Everything you see as being a problem to accomplish, ask for clarification on how would that be done.
What is the best way to arrange three desks so we don't kick each other? So there are three desks at my workplace, for three developers. The problem is, right now, we have them arranged like so: Do you see the problem yet?Well, I'm sitting in position A.and there's another guy sitting in position B.We now and then ...
Skew your seating position relative to the desk , if your desks are large enough. If skewing your seating positions per this answer works, that's easiest --
In a new job should I be quiet initially or engaging I have a personality that many folks say they find engaging and a big asset to me. In a new job should I be out-going and gregarious and try to engage and talk to as many people as possible, or should I aim to be as quiet as possible as listen as much as possible? I...
However, of course what the hiring manager might have valued in you may not be what all your other colleagues value in a co-worker, so you must remain aware of other people's needs/likes/dislikes and adjust accordingly, just like you would when interacting with anyone for the first time. Yes, you should engage as many ...
What obligations do I have when faced with a promotion opportunity that I don't necessarily want? Background: I started with my company about 4 years ago in a role that was client-facing and was hired as a non-exempt employee. The culture of the firm is that people work a lot of overtime, especially in the winter mon...
You shouldn't feel any obligation because you did the work and they paid you.
Indicating that the candidate had help preparing their resume. I am helping a friend who has limited English skills to prepare a resume for mostly general labor jobs (e.g. cleaning/maintenance of apartments). Do I 'dumb down' the resume so it seems like it was prepared by the limited English speaker or do I indicate ...
The resume should be easy for the employer to read but your friend needs to be able to speak to and answer questions about that resume.
What problems may come from accepting a job with more responsibilities but the same compensation? I was offered a management position in a different company that pays roughly the same as I make as a regular staff member in my current company. However, the new position will have more opportunity for growth. What proble...
In some cases, it's even worth taking a pay cut.
How long should I wait before sending a thank you email? Should I send a thank you email immediately, or perhaps wait a day or more? Does it make a difference if its a phone interview or an in person interview? If you wait too long, then it is likely to have no effect, or even seem out of place. However, if you send it...
Send them the same day as your interview for snail mail, so hopefully they will arrive the next day before the decision is made. Emails should generally be sent within a day or two.
Is it beneficial to show online certificates on a CV? Coursera offers quite a lot of very interesting courses and provides certificates after completing them. They're good not only for learning new things, but also revising the material that has been previously learned at a standard university. I was wondering if it...
Make sure your recruiter knows that you have put in those extra efforts to learn those courses, apart from classroom education. Coming to the resume, including courses would just extend it's length without adding much value.
Why would recruiters ask "How much would you like to earn?" if the initial pay for all employees is the same? I've recently been to an interview for a company that had a set pay amounts for each "level" of employees that is based mainly on the amount of time spent with the company. This basically meant that all new emp...
Despite having these ranges established, this question gets asked for a few reasons: To determine if the candidate's expectations are in line with what the company is willing to pay.
Should I point out spelling mistakes in a reference letter? I just finished an internship and my boss gave me a very nice reference letter. While I'm happy with the content, I found one spelling mistake and it is really bothering me. Should I tell him to re-write it or just live with it? <Q> There should be no embarras...
So, in summary, ask your old boss for the mistake to be corrected, but do it tactfully. Letting it slide however could be a problem.
How should I greet my professor if he/she is also my customer? I am a student working in the IT department of my college campus. Typically, since we service both students, staff, and faculty, sometimes we run into the issue of addressing our own teachers. I would like to address them in a respectful way that also makes...
Address them by the formal title uless they sepcifically ask you to address them by their first names. Otherwise, simply saying 'Professor,' without a name or anything else is 100% fine. At universities in Australia and New Zealand, an informal "Hello" is probably fine. I think it is more important to show respect by b...
What would be a good response to "Do you like spending special time with coworkers"? Background: I was asked this in a phone interview. It took me by surprise, and I faltered here. I couldn't figure out just what to make of "special time" - unfortunately, that time I didn't get the job. Let me also say that in this in...
I'd point out to them that it's not a question, you are just seeking clarification on their question to you.
How to mention weakness in the self assessment section of an employment form I have been trying to write this section of "Developmental Areas" in a employment form given by my organization. This is the place where I need to cite a few of my weaknesses. I actually want to state that "I pay attention to detail in every ...
Try something skill specific, "I need to improve my knowledge of [insert something you would like to know more about here that is somewhat job related]. Don't leave it blank, or put "Nothing, I'm perfect!". I encourage you to find a genuine weakness in yourself and explain what you need from the company as a result.
Will changing jobs because of a national economic crisis have a negative effect on my career? Because of the crisis in my country, employers are no longer able to pay for employees. This has forced me to change my job twice before finishing 6 months with them. I bet this may hurt my career. How can I overcome this and...
Yep, having a number of jobs over short period of time can be damaging to you career, but it doesn't have to be. You will also have to be make it clear in your CV that you were force to change jobs due to your companies financial situation, and is not due to your own doing. Volunteer if you have to, so long as you have...
Does it hurt me to use smiley faces in correspondence with potential employers? I find myself constantly using text smiley faces when typing messages to other people. It doesn't matter if I am writing something casual like a facebook message, or something serious like replying to a job offer I usually use them to conv...
Although some employers will simply ignore emoticons, you're much better off if the text of your message conveys whatever emotions you intend to express without needing to resort to emoticons. So if in doubt, I'd say leave it out. This is never appropriate in professional correspondence.
Numbered rooms in the workplace What are the disadvantages (if any) to having numbered rooms in an office? Numbering rooms is obviously helpful as a way to navigate to a room and to unambiguously talk about a precise room. Are there any disadvantages to numbering rooms? (These could be tangible, psychological, or soc...
If you are in an older building with a series of rooms, a numbering system makes sense. To start with, when there are many rooms in workplace, numbers are hard to beat - exactly for the reasons you mention. Employees room numbers change without them moving, others refer to the space as "we are meeting in room which use...
How do I advise a habitually tardy coworker? A coworker of mine, an intern like me, is always at least 30 minutes late. But not more than an hour usually. Today the CEO even noticed. But I didn't tell him that part. Is it advisable to tell him that? <Q> Honestly: Mind your own business. <S> Unless you have a vested ...
That the CEO noticed may make your team look bad, but I would say that is a problem for your manager, not you. As a peer, I would only mention it if there is a direct impact on you . If you are not friends outside work I would leave it be.
Customer thinks that I'm female due to a name mixup. How should I correct them? My surname is a feminine name and I do occasionally get people misreading my email address ( forename.surname@etc... ) in reverse, although I do always sign the email off: Kind regards, Forename Mostly, I'm fine with either correcting ...
I go for simple, forgiving and sincere in my gentle correction, in the hopes that the person will get over it quickly and move on to whatever we are communicating about. I wouldn't bother and instead let them come to the realization themselves. I think the best way to go is a combination of 2 things: 1) Always sign eit...
How can I manage technical workers when I have no experience in their position? I've been asked to manage a team working on a project with which I am only marginally familiar. Getting more familiar with the project (desired outcome, expected timeline, etc) won't be a problem, but the technical work the team members are...
Your job is to facilitate - help them achieve the goals (within the allocated time and budget) - there is absolutely no need for you to be conversant in the technology in order to get things done. After you know the people better, you will have a feel for who is usually right, then you may give some extra credence to w...
Severing the relationship with a recruiter On the heels of the double-presentation question , I'm curious about the best way to sever ties with a recruiter who has represented me in the past. Let's say I was presented by this recruiter to a firm in January, but in the interim, have decided that I no longer wish for t...
Just give the recruiter written notice that you are withdrawing permissions to discuss you with any outside agency, company, or person.
Offering help without seeming like a jerk I have a few colleagues who work on interesting projects but they face problem in certain domains that I am good (but not expert) at. I wish to offer them help for my own reasons (experience, networking and I like doing it). How do I offer them help without seeming too pushy ...
Ask questions that allows them to gauge your level of competence.
What are some good techniques for finding a jack-of-all-trades employee? My specific situation is based on finding a jack-of-all-trades employee in Software Engineering or IT, but the core question can apply to more than a few areas. Over 7 years ago I was hired by a mid-sized company that had a small IT team of 3 peo...
Make sure yours doesn't seem to ask for most or all of a long list of specific skills, and make sure you convey the dynamic nature of the job.
Sticking to one field vs rotation I have just finished education and started to work. I have a few questions I need to be clear about: The very basic thing is sticking to one technology or one area of development vs rotation. Is it better to gain experience in one area (e.g development for Android or Game Development...
If you don't see a clear path to growth in the technology you know, decide if it is better to learn a new technology or move to a different company.
What digital format to send resume/cover letter in? In a world where it is equally easy to apply for a job in Asia, Europe, US or most anywhere else, the available software to read documents is likely to vary greatly. Unless specified, what format(s) does one use to send digital information to someone, for example the...
I send PDFs (after all the name stands for Portable Document Format).
Should one omit experience in tasks unrelated to the position applied for? When one has accumulated a number of previous positions, and writes a CV for a new one, there will likely be some positions held, often entry-level jobs, that are nothing at all like the sought position. Should one simple leave such positions o...
Leave everything off the resume that isn't relevant to the specific position you are applying to.
Side-stepping age discrimination with graduation year I've been asked in a couple of interviews what year I graduated from college. Of course, I think an offer should be made contingent on showing proof of degree with transcripts that will indicate graduation date. One of the jobs I landed, so it wasn't a big deal. T...
The general rule of thumb from an interviewing perspective is to not ask any questions that can be perceived as being used to determine someone's age. It is completely legal to say, "We prefer a 40 year old to a 30 year old.
Should I list skills that I am familiar with in my Resume? I have just finished my Advanced Diploma in Computing, and I am currently looking for a job as a junior .NET Developer. There are few Languages/Technologies that I’ve used in real projects, like: C#, Visual Studio, WinForms, ASP.NET, LINQ, SQL Server, CSS, HTM...
If the number of technologies that you are really skilled in is small, then you might want to push the limits a little on what you include. Under no circumstances would I list technologies I don't know.
Asking a mentor about listing him as a reference on my resume I am about to complete my degree and look for jobs. Having worked as a developer in open source projects, what is the etiquette for asking mentors or managers for references in a resume? Also what is the best way to put it in the resume (hard copy)? <Q> I ...
Let them know you are in the process of looking for a new job and ask if they are willing to be a reference.
Should I send a resume before the second interview with a new person? I have applied for a job. A contact person was a group leader. I sent him my resume and a cover letter. Later, I had a phone interview with him. Now they want me to have the second phone interview with a CTO. Is it a good idea to send him my resume...
I wouldn't send your resume a second time.
Effectively adding "Self-taught" skills on your Resume I am preparing my resume for development jobs. I have several self-taught skills that I need to add to my resume. I am not sure how to articulate these items on it. The only technical school I have is all hardware-related, from many years ago. For example, I ha...
On your resume, no one cares how you learned what you learned, they only care that you're proficient in your stated skills.
How can a recent graduate get an international internship? I have just finished my Advanced Diploma in Computing, and I am currently looking for an internship. I live in Libya and Software Development here is dead. If I stay here, then I am certainly doomed. I would have no choice but to become one of those Code Zomb...
If you are a citizen of, or you have proper work authorization in, the US, Canada or any other country you are interested in, then you have a good chance at getting an internship. A couple things that can help: 1) Get "above and beyond" competence.
Is it considered rude to turn down a job after initially accepting it? Earlier today, I was offered a position which I accepted. It is supposed to start in about a month. I feel like I've made a huge mistake. Can I do anything about it without coming off as unappreciative to the company? Is it considered rude or in...
If the company has done something to change your mind (somehow changing the deal after you'd accepted, for instance), then I think it's not unreasonable for you to back out. And yes, you should do it promptly, via phone if you can and ASAP.
How to inform a recruiter about a competing offer, and hopefully encourage them to move faster I am currently in the last interview stages with two companies, A and B . I reached a stage with company A where they are already willing to write me an offer. I have completed three phone interviews with company B (th...
When you are ready to commit to A then, I would contact the recruiter at company B and let him know that you have a company that intends to extend you an offer in the next few days.
Switching career tracks back , how to get recruiter's attention for an interview? I have a Master's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (graduated in 2010). I took courses in the areas of signal processing and digital communications. I have also had teaching and research experience (journal papers) in the sam...
Emphasizing the word "research" will make your CV stand out to attract a research group hiring manager's eyes. List them in details : the grades you received, the contents covered in the courses, the interesting topics you learned in the class, etc.
Should studying on a scholarship be listed in a resume? If I am two years out of university, is it still worthwhile listing that I was studying on a scholarship on my resume? It wasn't anything especially prestigious, just a standard Merit Scholarship . Related questions: How important is a grade point average on ...
Yes, as time goes on the prominence of the award should decrease on your resume because it relevance to being able to do the job
My company wants me to switch to a different position that I'm not sure I'll be happy in. What should I consider? I am currently an iPhone developer with 2 years of experience. I have a situation where my organization wants me to switch to a C# developer because of significant rise in .NET business they are getting. Th...
As a young developer, your boss is doing you a favor moving you to the C# team which will broaden your skills and perspective and make you more valuable to the company.
Will an unpaid internship be considered experience for getting a paid internship? I am currently a major in computers and information technology with a concentration in web development. I have the education but I don't have much work experience. Right now the only web development internship I can find is an unpaid one....
Unpaid internships are a great way to show your work ethic to a company you actually want to work for
What is the exact definition of "years of experience"? A lot of places that are hiring Software Developers have a requirement that is more or less similar to the following: 5 years experience as a software developer 5+ years experience in back-end web development Two or more years of professional software developme...
The "years of experience" would only be years of professional experience.
What is the protocol when you are talking with your boss and his phone rings? I've encounter several times when I am talking to my boss that his phone rings. He picks up the phone and starts talking. The talking could last for 5 minutes or 15 minutes, depending on the content of the call. Maybe I should return later ...
Most of the time, when I've encountered a situation such as this, my boss has, after a few minutes, waved me off, at which point I go back to my desk and either shoot him an email or just come by later, to see when it would be a good time to finish our talk. I'd suggest standing up and moving towards the door, pointing...
My recruiter made a mistake which has cost me my reputation with a company, what should I do now? My recruiter submitted me for Job A with a company I really like and this job paid X amount of dollars. Job A was filled so they offered to submit my resume to Job B with the same company. I took it for granted that they w...
If you believe the recruiter was at fault, it might be possible to negotiate a higher pay. Beyond that I don't think there's much to do other than put this one behind you and move on to the next opportunity.
What's the correct way to format business emails? My colleague sends emails with odd spacing. For example, no line breaks between salutation and the first paragraph. I'd love to send him a reference so he knows how to lay out formal/business emails better, but I can't find one. I'd also like to know myself! Can anyon...
I personally have completely removed salutations, and try and get as much info into the subject line before even starting the email, which is more often than not itself blank.
What factors/questions to consider when hiring for technical support I have a small but growing software company and the number of support requests as well as "how do I do something almost plainly simple with the software" are coming up more and more frequently as the user base expands. I'm looking at hiring some addi...
And when interviewing, I'd be looking for candidates who like the work and want to keep doing it Things to look for: customer talking skills - able to communicate technical things non-technically, able to ask good question, able to set and meet very clear expectations - you might even roleplay a sample call with them. ...
Got a job offer from a friend, but been on a new job for a couple of months Possible Duplicate: Switching jobs - how soon is too soon? I've recently got a job with a big consulting firm; however, I'm not enjoying the work much. While I don't see much advancement within the team, I know that the company might have ...
If you're serious about being unhappy at work and the firm can't absolutely do anything for you then you should consider other opportunities. Then, I'd consider a move only if the new offer was significantly better than what you have now.
How do you research which job skills or technologies to learn? On Stack Overflow and Programmers we often see questions like Where to start? What language to learn first? and What language should I learn next? These questions should always be closed as not constructive or too localized, since the answer depend...
Considering the kind of natural talents you have and how do these translate into various roles could be useful as well. Go to new technology and nerd meetups and see what smart people think.
What should I ask for from an indirect contact at company (Google) I would like to work at? I mentioned I was thinking of applying to Google to a friend I've known for years. He said that he knows one of the technical higher-ups (let's call him "Bob") in Google and gave me his home number. What should I say when I ca...
Considering you state at the beginning that if something goes beyond the line you will feel perfectly OK when Bob refuses to answer any specific question, I wouldn't hesitate to ask pretty much about anything. Ask how long the hiring process would take and what form the interviews are.
Should I make a personal website so that I can write that on my resume? There is always a field in a typical resume which is website. I don't have a personal website and don't like to make up stuff. Although I've once built a website 10 years ago, I really do not like making websites. You need so many things to build ...
If the position you are applying for involved web development, then a personal website would be beneficial.
What should be the ideals of setting up an additional career track? I have an exciting opportunity to redesign the career tracks in my current company. Each department decides its own titles, job descriptions, salary ranges, and progression. I'm pretty excited, as I've seen how the nature of formalized roles and the ...
You want to enable people to pursue careers that fit their strengths. Avoid: Creating a new track just to pacify people in your department
Old employee wishes to rejoin I had an employee (lets call him 'Old') who worked for me for 1 year. He had learnt a lot of things during the job. Two month ago he left the job and joined some other company (not a competitor of course). For the first 2 weeks after he left, I faced a lot of problem but on the third wee...
Personally, I value urge to learn very highly thus I'd rather keep the new guy.
How should reducing development costs metrics be listed on a resume? Every few months at work we add a feature X. On average it took 10,000 LOC (lines of code) to develop. Through design improvements I reduced it to an average 1,000 LOC, which meant fewer associated bugs and less duplication and effort. I know metri...
I think the best thing to do is to describe in convincing and appropriately detailed terms what benefit you provided to the project. I have a section under my employers where I list any notable accomplishments.
Dealing with unpleasant food odors Several coworkers and I share a rather small working area (not absurdly tiny, but small enough to cause this problem). Most of us usually eat lunch in the cafeteria area, and sometimes at our desks. One coworker, though, always eats lunch at her desk. I'm not sure what exactly it is...
When you prove that everyone in the office except her eat lunch in cafeteria, she may feel guilty and improve herself. I do not recommend confrontation between co-workers at work place.
What is the accepted method of indicating a company being acquired on a resume? For conditions where you are presently employed at a company that has been acquired and your job (title, responsibilities, assignment) has not changed because of the acquisition, what is the best way to indicate this on a resume? When a co...
The broad rule is: Always use the same name in the title as is present on your job experience letter(or certificate).
Interviewing a Non-Programmer for a Programmer Job A project manager in my department (software development) wants us to interview a non-programmer for a programming job. He has experience in technical support for an international software company. What kind of questions can we ask to determine that he would be suita...
I would not ask exactly the same questions for this candidate as one who is strictly a programmer.
What is my obligation to my current employer when changing jobs is imminent but (at this point) not guaranteed? I am scheduled for a second interview for a job with a company that I would like to have. Changing jobs would require changing cities, which would also mean more opportunity for my spouse. If the opportunity ...
Your obligation to your employer is to give them notice, as specified in your employment contract, when you want to leave.
Is it normal for a direct-deposited paycheck to be late? So I get paid on the 15th and 30th of each month. Normally before the notification of payroll is received via email, the money is direct deposited into my account. However, today (the 30th) I checked that the money was not in my account. Is it normal for companie...
If there is an entire department involved in getting pay processed it is unlikely to be late because somebody is sick.
How can I change my career path to better align with my career goals? This is probably something common so if anyone has dealt with this before please advise what is the best approach I can take to overcome this problem. I'm nearly 30 and I'm seriously not happy about where I am so far. I feel stuck because I’m not do...
If you want to change careers into an IT related role, take advantage of the fact that self-learning tools for these careers are highly accessible. Before talking to your manager you should know what it is you want to do. If you aren't sure, I'd say relax, go with what you are doing and see where it naturally leads you...
How can I incorporate all of my interests into a career path, without over-specializing? I am currently a student. I have high interests in the areas of Physics, Neurology, Software Engineering, and Computer Engineering. In my eyes, they are similar in as many ways as they are different. As I research careers, I see t...
Try to find which you enjoy the most personally. Check out if your university has any robotics hobby groups that'd let you dip your toes in to see what the field's like.
Why would people make interviewees and clients wait to meet with them, even if they're available right away? There's two people in my office who get a fair number of people visiting them. One of them has clients coming to visit them, and the other is often performing job interviews. Every time, regardless of how busy...
Making someone wait a bit can tell you alot about their personality, depending on how they act in the subsequent interview.
Quitting an exploitative job My best friend is working in a small firm (approx 20-30 people) which has recently gone under change in management. The new partner/director treats employees like hell & has clear ideology of treating employees like his personal servants because he pays them. They have salary issues as we...
If their salary isn't paid then they should be prepared to take the company to court to recover the lost money.
Is it too early to take a vacation day after only seven months? I've been working at a software development firm since January. It's my first job out of college. The last few months have been particularly busy for me (50+ hour weeks) and I'd like to take maybe a Monday off so I can take a three day weekend at some po...
After 7 months, probably not.
Should I send a "thank you" email to a colleague in the same office? I was temporarily relocated to a different location by my company and people at the new location have helped me to set everything up. I interrupted one colleague a couple of times because of minor questions (e.g., how do I connect to this printer? Who...
If you feel like thanking people for their help, do it.
Protocol for Adding people on Linkedln Is it unreasonable to add a person on linkedln that interviewed you? I want to add a person who did a phone interview with me. Is this seen as a bad gesture? <Q> It's very normal and very common. <S> It's become an acceptable and public way to check someone out in more detail an...
If you had a good rapport with the person, if they stuck out to you as particularly worth keeping contact with - then give it a shot, but don't be upset if you get ignored.
In an exit interview, (how) do I tell my manager about my replacement's lack of skills? I'm a software engineering co-op that's finishing my term in the next few days. I've worked solo on a decently sized project that seems to have garnered some interest from my co-workers. I really like this team and my manager. I'm l...
That said, if asked, you could say that you think the new coop is going to find the work very challenging and leave it about there.
Should I be flexible or decisive if asked when I'm available for an interview? I am a recent graduate. I have been going to a lot of interviews lately (software development), and I've noticed that interviewers rarely give you a specific date they want to arrange the interview on (unless it's an assessment day). This gi...
In general, if they have a range of open dates/times, I try to select one optimally around my schedule and personality. It's unlikely that the people actually doing the interview scheduling are going to care whether you appear dominant or flexible.
What should I do if I suspect someone is intoxicated? Let's assume the following scenario. One early morning, at work, you walk to the coffee maker to refill your coffee mug. When you get over to the coffee maker, two individuals are there talking. Based off of the strong smell in the general area, it is quite evide...
A good union rep will send the worker home, and then keep a close eye on them from then on. At that point, you try to touch base with HR and then figure out how to talk to the guy. If you are in the US (or many other countries) and the company has a reasonable size, you should have a department called "Occupational Hea...
How do I give someone realistic expectations when I am doing a project for free? I volunteered to produce an app for a non-profit for free. Before beginning the project, I researched already existing solutions. I am in the process of writing an email to summarise my findings. One of the already existing solutions is qu...
That said, when you've agreed to do a project, regardless of what you're being paid or not paid, let the customer know what to expect and when. Never Work For Free! In general, the org should know the actual value of what they are receiving.
If you must report incriminating information about a 3rd party to HR, should you do so anonymously? If you noticed improper behavior at work, ranging from petty theft of office supplies to deliberate, willful manipulation of a company's financial statement, and you decided to report it to HR, should you do so anonymou...
If you're reporting just because you feel it is the "right" thing to do, then an anonymous tip is a good way to do so without getting involved in the whole process. If you are reporting problems with financial numbers or criminal activity then you should do so in a way that it is documented that you are bringing the pr...
Presenting open source development during a resume-gap? Say one has an extended leave of absence from the workforce as a software engineer. During that time, over a period of time, one makes a series of non-trivial contributions to an open-source project, as they wish to keep their skills current. As there would othe...
If you've been collaborating on open-source coding projects, and are seeking employment in a coding field, and you made significant contributions to those projects, it is very relevant to add it to your resume. If you were fired from a job or if you quit a job without having another job lined up, I think it would be mi...
How do I represent career progression within a single company on a CV I started in a Company 5 years ago as a Service desk operative. Although I had a lot of experience in computer administration for many years, I was out of the "computer workplace" during college (fine art degree!) and a few years after. Due to my ex...
Listed the positions separately and with the headings (font, style, size) looking like others resumes different companies. Rising through the ranks is a great way to show career progression, and you have a very good opportunity to shine a light on how much you have progressed.
How to ask for an agreement about a side income I was working together with a freelancer on a project here in my company for about 18 months. As he had some knowledge, that no one here had, this work was very educational for me (and in certain cases for him). Interpersonal we got along very well. I mentioned in a Sm...
My advice, which might sound paranoid, is to carefully track and record time and effort spent on this side-project and your "real" job and a brief journal as well. There is no real reason to encourage you to do freelancing on the side.
What kinds of questions should I ask a recruiter? When interviewing with the actual company, I can ask about all sorts of details such as benefits plans, what kind of software they use, vacation schedules, etc... When I'm dealing with a recruiter, I've tried to ask similar questions and get vague responses, or they don...
The only place where it might get dicey is if you are asking specific guidelines around compensation, that is often a case by case basis and companies aren't comfortable with giving generalizations before getting deeper into the interview process. You can ask them about their process and the types of companies they dea...
Is it normal to list contractors on a corporate website? A company that I previously worked for (full/part-time) is wanting to list me as a contractor on their website. I built the website originally and they wanted to have an area with a name and picture of all of their contract employees. I find this a bit uncomfor...
As to my 'opinions' about it (what most other people are giving), I think it is fine if you are proud of the work and happily putting on your own resume and talking about it. For a lot of large corporates it is absolutely normal - it can work in your favour as well as theirs.
Cover Letter for an experienced professional I'm looking for what should be in a cover letter for someone who has at least 5 years of experience in the field (software engineering). Should it focus more on previous education, specific projects I've worked on, be more general about myself or something else? If you cou...
You need to match your strengths to what in in the job description.
HTML5 Buzzword by Recruitment Agencies Recently over the last few weeks I have started applying for a number of different Front End Developer roles. I notice a lot of the job descriptions ask for good HTML5 knowledge. The sticking point I find is that no website uses a large amount of HTML5. See here for a list of ...
If you can do it well and if your interviewer is a clever and reasonable kind of person, then you can certainly earn a lot of points for yourself by showing that you understand the technology better than your interviewer. You can play it safe and just stick to answering their questions directly and demonstrating what k...
What are some common salary negotiation tactics from the employer's perspective? I received a job offer this past Monday. The job offer, requiring relocation to a different, more expensive city, was attached to a salary offer that was a couple thousand dollars more than I currently make, but given the expense of livin...
During the last interview (in which I make a job offer to the person) I give the information on the non negotiable aspects of the job offer.
When is it appropriate to change communication methods? Situation: I have received a job offer(s) and/or interview related communication from a potential employeer. This has been communicated either in person, via phone, or through email (or some combination). It seems you often receive a phone call which is a "by the ...
If you have details to communicate that must be captured accurately, for whatever reason, then email is probably to be prefered over phone. In general, I would say that any communication mechanism is acceptable.
How do I argue for a 3-day, 30 hour workweek? I am currently working full time as an intern, but now want to switch to 3-days-a-week in the fall. It is to continue finishing my graduate studies. However, the VP who is 2 levels above me doesn't like the idea.. and wants me to come to work 5 days a week at less hours(i...
Once you know his concern, it is easier to mitigate it. I suspect that if your VP understood that your intent was to work on school not just have a couple extra days off to goof around there would be more willingness to work with you on your schedule.
What is the difference between software developer and graphic/web designer? Im trying to create an account in a job/career site and they want me to specify a role. Im basically an IT person. The suitable matches I could find are: Software Developer Graphic/Web designer Client-Server technology My key skills are P...
I would describe you as a "web developer.
How to find warning signs about a company's business practices during a job interview? When going to interviews, I often want to take a peek at how the company works on the inside, but they may not show you everything or want to "keep up appearances" to make them more inviting. Obviously the latter is expected when man...
Start asking at those events about this company. A small number of contracts, with growth but an inability to keep current employees is a warning flag.
What should I tell potential employers if I'm not sure I'm leaving my current position? I'm currently working as a contractor; in six weeks, either my current company will have offered me a permanent position or I'll be moving on to another position. If they offer, I'll accept a permanent position, unless they ridiculo...
I would say that you're currently working as a contractor, that your contract expires in 6 weeks but that you are considering terms for converting to a full-time employee. You should disclose as much as you are comfortable with to each side.
Ways of Making a good impression in the new job It has been two weeks since I began working in a new job as a C++ software developer in a medium size factory equipment manufacturing company. I am in a small team of 4 developers and a manager. Since it is a manufacturing company,the work culture is totally different fro...
If you haven't got any firm assignments yet and you're for something to do with your time, improving test coverage is a very good way to make yourself useful. Ask your boss for additional responsibilities and do an excellent job on all your responsibilities Take initiative in finding additional ways to add value to you...
Notice Period at a Small Business At my current employer I do not have a written contract. This includes not knowing how much notice period I am required to give. My problem is that prospective employers are asking for my notice period during interviews. Is there anyway I could ask my current employer without giving...
The minimum statutory notice period which must be given by an employee is at least one week's notice if employed continuously for one month or more by that employer. At least in the US, 2 weeks is the standard notice time.
Citing work experience when it ended terribly At one point, I worked somewhere, and while the vast majority of the time things went well, it ended quite poorly (quitting on less than ideal terms). It is highly unlikely that I would be able to get a recommendation from my boss at the time, but it is possible to get sev...
Yes, you should definitely include it on your resume. Often, employers will not even ask for references specifically from every previous position, and even if they did there are plenty of reasons your previous manager may not be available as a reference, he or she may have left the company, or even the country, perhaps...
Time interval for a sequence of interviews Usually, I have several interviews with potential employees when I act as a recruiter. For every prospect, I have 2 interviews, one rather informal (often by phone or in a neutral environment such as a conference, an hotel, etc.) and one more formal (in an office). Then if the...
If you are putting large numbers through the informal/telephone interviews, and that is what is causing this delay, then I would suggest looking back at previous vacancies you have filled to see if you can find a way to be more selective/ruthless at the stage of screening resumes/CVs. Most of the time, there is a few w...
How to create a desirable resume / career for international software development work What qualities in a resume / career path for a software developer are desirable enough that would make an employer look as far away as international to find new employees? For Example:I want to work in Seoul, Korea at a foreign (non-...
Speaking the language will certainly help (especially if you are native one or more other languages as well).
How do I approach my boss about a side project? Recently (~1.5 mos.) started a position at a tech startup, in a tech support position. Some friends and I are thinking about forming a company to see if a project that we've been working on is viable as a business. When I was hired at this position, the project was lis...
He may just say, "As long as it doesn't interfere with work, go for it.
What kinds of conflict of interest concerns are there when interviewing with a vendor of my current employer I am being recruited by a vendor who sells equipment and software to my current employer. My recruitment would not put me in a position where I would be selling or working on projects for the company I work for ...
It may be the case that your company and the vendor company have an agreement to not poach each other's staff, but if this is the case then it's the responsibility of the vendor to abide by the terms of the agreement. Anyways, yes, it's okay for you to pursue the position.
What's the appropriate way to thank a recruiter or HR person? I would like to thank an HR person who has been very helpful in managing my placement at my current company, including arranging and organizing interviews for further internal advancement. What would the appropriate way to thank them be? Would a gift be ap...
If you truly feel that level of gratitude towards this person, I don't see anything wrong, per se, with a small token of appreciation.
What can I do when the answer to every question is "call a meeting"? Background - I'm the technical lead on a software project. I came up from software engineering and I am responsible for technical interaction with the customer, other vendors, the software product team, and I still get to write some code. I work under...
You should simply explain that a meeting is not necessary, because the issue/question is incredibly simple, and the customer might not want you guys to waste their time.
How much work experience is equivalent to a Computer Science degree? A lot of software developer jobs list "a CS degree or equivalent work experience" as a requirement. I have a degree in a somewhat related field but only about 6 months of on-the-job experience as an intern and then a severely underpaid developer. Ho...
If you have a few years' experience at a job level roughly equivalent to what they're hiring for, you should be considered (perhaps even more so in this environment since without a degree you'll probably be asking for less).
Should I include work done under another name in my resume/CV? Most of my experience is from my online freelance work. However, as I started when I was 16, I had to use a fake name on a freelance site and and ask users to pay me through PayPal (I couldn't take money out of the site otherwise). Most of my work was done...
If you're a freelancer, it contains what you've done for real customers, and should avoid illegal or embarrassing activities.
How much do interviewers look into your websites/blogs? I have a website that establishes my creditals, passion, and attempts to create a conversation about the previous projects that I've worked on. From my personal experience I've never had an interviewer ask about the decisions I had made wtihin the projects, nor ha...
If the interviewer has some down time while prepping for your interview, he/she might give your website a quick look to grab some basic information.