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Should I give additional notice period? I'm a consultant who's in the middle of a very significant project that would be nearly impossible to handover to another team member without putting the deadline at significant risk. On Monday, I"m resigning. I'm in a position where I can provide extra notice period to my emplo...	You can give the agreed upon notice and see if they want to negotiate the extended period. You shouldn't feel obliged to stay the extra but it may be the good thing to do - you never know if you may end up working with the company again
How to keep track of time spent helping others? I'm a fast learner so I often become the go-to guy in the office (and out of it, but that's off topic), I love helping people and I learn much from seeing different perspectives, ideas (even bad ones) and solutions to problems the organization is facing. Thing is, that m...	I do have to put in some time at the end of the day, and I can look at my journal and tell how much time I spent on each project. A solution would be to have opening hours .
How to ask for a raise after passing probation I have interviewed at a company and asked for a salary of 25k. They have given me an offer of 24k and they said they will consider again after I have passed the probation. I passed the probation 1 and a half months ago already and they still have not mentioned anything. sh...	I would make sure I would invite the person for a meeting (the one who said they'd consider after your probation) and approach the subject with them again. Don't worry about being conceived as "money hungry". Don't be forceful when asking and try to remember to be professional about it.
How do I avoid company outings without being an outcast? I currently work for a small (15-25 employees) startup that likes to have company outings. Things like going bowling, going to a bar, etc. Work is never discussed. There is a lot of social pressure to go to these. Whenever I avoid them my coworkers express disapp...	It is natural when a group participates in these and one person does not, the other person will feel like an outsider. Maybe try to find some time once a month go to one of the events. If this is the case, I'd just get used to it and realize you are going to have to, if you want to keep not attending those events. The ...
Basic computer skills test for job applications We're trying to screen applications for a job based on their basic computer skills. We'd like some sort of website that we can give to the candidates that times how long it takes them to click on buttons, use drop-downs and enter text, and records how fast they were. Not...	Google some of the online tests and have your current people take them and create a baseline of performance.
I found out the person I report to suffers from alcoholism I've had some disagreements with my manager and have found some of his jokes and stories offensive. I recently found out he is an alcoholic (in the medical sense). I have never met an alcoholic before and am wondering, what kind of things should I avoid saying ...	If the person has been drinking, then you are absolutely within your rights, and within the bounds of any good judgment to refuse to ride in the vehicle with the person. simply state state that you were not comfortable working in the 'unprofessional environment' created by your supervisor and leave it at that. In terms...
How can I best indicate my desire to relocate to another part of the country? I'm a US citizen trying to relocate to another part of the US. Right now, I'm using my current address on all my job applications and also my resume. I've read online that applying out-of-state can actually be a hindrance to you and that it's...	You could look for job offerings that specifically mention a willingness to relocate candidates. Depending on the position, a lot of companies won't consider non-local candidates at all.
Are beards perceived as unprofessional in the workplace? It has recently been mentioned by a colleague that I should look at shaving my beard as it may limit future opportunities in my company as it can be perceived as lazy and too casual. It may or may not have been said in jest, but looking around I notice that none ...	If you just let your beard grow and do not trim it up cleanly or if it looks like you only grow the beard because you do not want to take the time to groom it, then many people will find it unprofessional in appearance. The driver of this current trend is a change in the perception of wealth over the last couple decade...
How should I ask prospective employer about declining revenues? I have been interviewing with a very small size public company here in the US and I am in the final stages of the interview process. I have one more round with the hiring manager and I would like his/her own view as to why the revenues have been steadily d...	An appropriate questions might be: "I've been looking at your financials, and it looks to me as if your revenue is falling. Yes you should absolutely ask about this at the interview.
How can I convince my boss I am the right person to lead a future team? I am currently a sole contributor working on a team within an enterprise software company. I have been here approximately a year. I foresee a new team being created in a brand new market/category within the next couple of years. I am the only ...	I think your message is good, but rather than just asking for his opinion on what you should do, do some research yourself and come to him with a plan to put you in that position. As new people are added in, show that you can get them on-boarded and work well with them.
Should I put my 2nd undergraduate studies that I did not finish on my resume? I have completed a Computer Science bachelor's degree, from where I went on to pursue an MA in Digital Game Design, which I am about to finish this September – and these are obviously the two things that I put on my resume into the Education ...	Your resume should include everything that is relevant and helpful for the position of interest (from the interviewer's point of view). Saying you have a minor in something doesn't look like you were a quitter, it looks like you studied something in addition to your main studies.
Why you looking out for change? I am working in Software development and have recently faced couple of interviews. Interview 1: I have cleared the first (Technical) round, when I faced the HR round, the first question they have asked me is "Why you looking out for change?". I answered with better prospects in terms...	Tell the interviewer how you liked the experience you gained on your job. "My current organization is very top heavy and Idon't see any movement possible for quite some time."
Offered the lower position because I had no degree. I got the degree. Do I ask for increase? When my boss left, I interviewed for the position and I got it. However, because I didn't have a degree I was offered a lower position for less pay. I was told that once I got my degree my position and pay would increase. A c...	I worked for a company during my degree and received a substantial increase following graduation. If you are in a small organization, you are not getting a raise for the degree, unless you are awesome and losing
Is it a good management style to degrade oneself so others feel comfortable approaching? A manager at work said "I go to great lengths to make a complete idiot out of myself so people feel comfortable coming to me". This gave me a bad gut feeling but I realize there is some rational behind it. Is it a good management...	Making a complete idiot out of yourself just for the purpose of appearing approachable is disingenuous at its core. There are situations where this might be beneficial depending on exactly what the manager is doing.
How should I approach a careless error in a submitted resume/CV that dramatically changes perception? This is one of those human errors that I know , and we all know, every single one of makes yet still leaves me with a pit in my stomach and is incredibly embarrassing to make on a resume. I submitted a resume this m...	If you notice the error right after initial application how you correct your resume/CV depends on how it was submitted. Personally I am more impressed with someone who finds their own mistake and owns up to it and does something to fix it that somone who tries to pretend it didn't happen. Let it stand and hope it passe...
How to label inaccurate job titles on resume I'm currently employed as a "web developer" for a company. That's what it says on my business card and that was the title on the job ad. The thing is I haven't done ANYTHING that can be considered "web development". The job is 100% system administration. There are several ot...	On your resume and job applications, use the official title you've been given by the company so everything will match up and go smoothly when your references are checked and your employment is verified by potential new employers.
Given verbal offer from a company but about to start a large project at current company I have been told by HR of a company that I have been interviewing with that they would like to extend me an offer and it will take 1-2 weeks to get approved. I do not want to put in notice at my current position until I get the act...	May seem hard, but you need to carry on as if nothing has happened until the new job is signed and sealed( or if you need to show your hand for references etc). Do NOT risk telling your boss your leaving until you are gone.
Is it appropriate to submit a Resume/CV when there are no job openings? Not sure if this is okay to do, because I'm not sure if it's okay to just walk-in to any store, and submit an app, regardless whether or not there's a job opening. To clarify, there are no listed job opening in the local classified or online. Jus...	You can walk into any store and ask if they are hiring or accepting applications. The simple answer is, it doesn't hurt to try. I think this could depend on the specific employer.
Is it appropriate to ask coworkers and boss to let me know when they arrive and expect to leave? Where I work, the other four members of my department always arrive at random times, usually latter than when they are expected. It is not uncommon for two of them to arrive around 11am. I know it's none of my business why ...	If their overly inconsistent hours impact the office performance directly then you can ask, but if the only thing that is impacted is the ability to ask a question face-to-face then drop the subject.
How do companies handle 'he-said she-said' situations with no objective evidence either way? Recently, a co-worker of mine claimed to my supervisor that while I was on a forklift and relocating pallets, I pushed a pallet and hit her with it twice throughout the day. I told my supervisor that I did push a pallet close t...	Even if there is not enough evidence either way they will make sure that the chances of the two individuals interacting on a regular basis is minimized. I would also imagine that they would review your safety record, length of service, and might even interview others in your workplace to determine if the accusation is ...
Doing freelance work on the side without approval I interviewed for a small company in San Francisco for a web development position. When I was asked what I was doing prior to the interview, I said I was "working as a freelance web developer." His response was: "but you would be willing to give that up if you got this ...	They may not feel you're in a position to decline working over-time if you're able to do extra work. Yes that would how I'd interpret that. Check your employment agreement to see if there are clauses about "moonlighting" or what you create outside of working hours as in some cases this may be owned by the company. The ...
Should I send an errata after technical interview? I had a technical interview with a prestigious company and I did quite well during all the questions and the interviewer seemed pleased with me ... but after the interview I noticed that the code I wrote had a bug (not a very big one but still). I spotted the errors a ...	When you recognize flaws in your code before it is pointed out, it is a skill to be appreciated.
What is the appropriate way to give your boss a book on management techniques? I've read Rework (by David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried) and found that it has some really good points about ASAP, meetings, etc. I've found that this book addresses many mistakes that are regularly practiced at my daily job. My bos...	Done wrongly, you will run a significant chance of offending your manager as you could be seen as suggesting he is doing his job poorly.
When keeping track of your hours, should you round at all? I'm keeping track of my own hours for the position I'm currently working at a small company. I have never had to keep track of my hours before, so I'm unsure about whether or not I should be exact in my report. For example, if I finished at 6:08 would it make ...	Ask HR, there should be a time charging document. Over billing can result in penalties to the company. Temp agencies often want rounding to the nearest tenth of an hour, a lot of people therefore finish up at the half or full hour interval so they don't have to figure out whether 5:53 is 4/10ths or 5/10ths. Most of the...
What is the most appropriate way to handle a coworker's habit that affects my health (and productivity) I got a job with a small web development firm last week and I'm still getting acquainted with the whole setting and environment. I've been paired up with a guy named John. I'm about to start working on my own (my tr...	The options are: Move to another office Compromise Adjust Live with the issue Saying my suggestion forces a dialog on it should John want to leave them off. Is there a low setting on the lights that can be used. If you must work together for those 5+ hours is there a way you could adjust your starting time to minimize ...
Sending references and transcripts along with resume and cover letter? I have master degrees in applied math and statistics, and am looking for jobs in statistics and biostatistics. I am reading this site , which says: In either your cover letter or C.V., list the names of your references, giving their addresses, p...	Unless the letter of recommendation is from an awesome reference it is not even necessary to mention that you have them in either the resume or the cover letter.
Should I mention not knowing a particular programming language in the cover letter? If a position requires programming language "A", but I only know a different one, is it recommended to mention that in the cover letter? Such as when an employer prefers someone knowing SAS over other similar statistical programming...	In short - if you don't currently have the requisite knowledge, ensure your cover letter makes it an much of a non-issue as possible.
How to make a smooth exit transition? I have worked at my current company for 13 months now, and have accepted an offer yesterday from another firm. I love the work environment at my current job and all my coworkers, but an increased research-oriented view and 40+k pre-tax salary bump was hard to resist. I have heard ...	When the situation is resolved with your new employer, go talk to your boss and give him all the options you have worked out with your new employer.
Nothing to show for the past several months at work I've been working in a job for a little over 18 months. The company is seriously small - for a long period I was the only full time employee, I work in a semi skilled position, requiring some knowledge of the industry but training was given. For the first few months ...	When looking for a new job, trying to show what makes you different from all the other candidates is usually a good thing. Speak of the parts of the job you liked - taking responsibility, managing business functions.
Can I ask for salary increase now that I've graduated? I did my final college internship at the company where I still work now. The internship was about five months long. At the end of my internship I kept working for the same compagny over the summer. Now summer is ending and school is coming back. I will be missing ...	You need to make a case for the value you bring to them, and how your graduating (if you really have done so, it's not clear) provides a benefit to them and is worth $X more.
Help former coworkers or ask for paid consulting? Assuming one left on good terms and enjoyed working with the former coworkers, I'm wondering if it would be unusual or unprofessional to only offer help if the former employer offers payment for effort. On one hand I would want to help my past coworkers, but on the oth...	While professionals do deserve to be paid for their work, professionals also do a lot of unpaid work in many circumstances.
Listing unprofitable business ventures as professional experience For the last ten months or so I've been working essentially full time on a webapp. The webapp doesn't make much money (through donations it covers hosting costs and allows me to go out to lunch daily). I'm not bitter about it. I knew it wouldn't be profi...	If it was a side project that was big and profitable, I would probably include it alongside other jobs.
Is hiring a single software engineer common or reasonable for smaller companies? I work as a software engineer at a small/medium sized company. I work alone as a software engineer. There are two other people in the building that know programming, but one is the head of the engineering department and the other is an eng...	With one programmer it's easier to see what you are capable of It will also depend on the workload needed to complete the tasks.
Why do some businesses start insurance after 30 or 60 days or on the 1st of next month? I've noticed that while some (U.S.) employers start health insurance on day 1 of your new job, others start after 30 days, 60 days, or on the 1st of next month. Obviously this state of affairs doesn't benefit the employee, so whom ...	The paperwork for the HR department or insurance company is a lot easier to deal with on an incremental basis, so only adding new workers to the benefits when paying the next bill prevents the complexity of partial billing.
Should I ask my new employer for an extra laptop charger? I do not want to be perceived as overly demanding, high maintenance, or downright lazy in my new job, but I do dislike having to carry/pack any more work equipment than just my Mac Book. Carrying the charger around introduces the possibility of me losing it, and...	I believe that you should first of all, kindly ask for a charger with either a formal email or a very sincere talk with your employer. $50 is not a lot to spend to help an employee be more productive.
How can I decide if I should use a title (Mr./Ms.) when e-mailing a prospective employer? I have been corresponding with several potential employers, but I'm not sure about the appropriate way to address the representative. How should I determine how to address them ("John", "Mr. Smith", "Mr. John Smith", "John Smith",...	I have found that this works best in communication with prospective future employers :In the beginning of your communications, always address the 'To' person as Mr/Ms(Mz)
How long should you keep your payslips? How long should you keep a payslip from your company? Should you keep ones from previous employments? I've never been asked for one but I feel I should keep them - is this correct? <Q> If you are in the UK, the tax year goes from 6th April to 5th April and I would advise paysli...	Keep the end of year, or end of job ones with your annual tax forms. But it's wise to keep them forever.
Can I modify the subject line of a forwaded email to make it more relevant? We team members are discussing a matter on an email which is replied by around 10 people with their suggestions. Now I want to forward this email to a person who is supposed to take a action. I want to forward this same discussion email and r...	Even if you edit the subject of your e-mail, the forwarded messages should still contain the original subjects they were sent with, and the original recipients. Yes, you can change the subject, with three caveats: Unless you are confident that the decision maker really wants to read through a long thread where ten diff...
What to do about loud snoring at work? We work in a large open space. The facilities are pet-friendly, so one person brings a dog to work. The dog sleeps most of the time and when it is sleeping, it snores very loudly. All the people I interact in the course of my duties are in a different city, so all my work-relate...	If that fails (either because the owner isn't reacting, or because the owner's changes haven't solved the problem), you'll need to escalate the issue to your boss, and perhaps the dog owner's boss. In this case, you should talk with the dog's owner, and explain how the dog's snoring interferes with your productivity.
Is email an acceptable medium for a thank you note? It is generally considered good etiquette to send a note of appreciation after an interview. And traditionally I have usually sent this note on paper. In contemporary western culture is an email an acceptable format for a "thank you" note? <Q> In contemporary wester...	If you expect any acknowledgement from the people that interviewed you, email is probably the best way to go.
How do I explain a 2 year long Career Gap due to personal goals I was working in a reputable IT company for 2 years, however I took a break of 2 years to pursue a career in Indian Civil Services. I got selected at state level but couldn't make it to Highest post and now I am planning to return to IT. Please guide on ...	Emphasise your strengths As always with interviews you should be trying to present yourself in the best light possible. You can either try to explain your employment gap in your CV, or by mentioning it in a covering letter but not in to much detail.
Is it okay to ask my manager if I'm about to get laid off? There has been a rumor lately about a massive round of layoffs at my company. Some other company in a neighbor city has just opened a spot for a programmer and I could apply there. If I do though, my current company is definitely going to hear about it, and I ...	As others have commented, he may not be able to tell you if you are on the layoff list, but his reaction to that question should give you ideas of whether you should or not.
How do I prevent myself from leaning too close to the monitor? Sometimes I get too excited about something I'm doing with my computer and I tend to lean closer and closer to the monitor, though it becomes harder to read and my neck starts hurting. Usually I snap out of it when my neck is hurting enough to leech off all...	Educate yourself to always stay with the body leaning on the backrest of the chair, it also helps a lot the spinal cord too, because most of that weight will be taken by the chair, not your bones. Feeling the need to get close to the monitor could be a symptom that you eye muscles are tired - try to take short but oft...
What is the best way to represent department email addresses in companies where there exists turnover? Currently, we have email addresses, such as the following addresses: designer@company.com operation1@company.com operation2@company.com bookings@operation.com Should department addresses be something like desig...	Many companies have departmental email lists like "Support@companyname.com" designed to forward the emails to everyone in the department (even if only a department of one). Sometimes, if the email address is used externally, and the company wishes to project a "friendly face", a fictitious name is used in the email.
How do you break off a friendship with a coworker? Reputation will stick with you more closely in a workplace setting. If I get the reputation as being difficult to work with then advancing or moving laterally in my organization will be extremely unlikely. Over the past summer, I had shown an intern on my team, who ha...	Don't be available for anything personal/social.
Should short term jobs on LinkedIn profile be left off? According to several articles including this one from Forbes and even answers to this question , the general advice I'm seeing is to put EVERYTHING on your LinkedIn profile. Yet for a resume, it's best to leave off anything irrelevant to your goals, as it is ...	The reality is that a prospective employer is very unlikely to find out about a short-term job that isn't listed on your resume.
When is it acceptable to share someone else's contact details? At times, I may be speaking to someone and think it would be a good idea for them to contact someone else: "Oh! You should really speak to [insert name here], let me find [his/her] contact details for you..." Other times, the person I am speaking to ma...	If they are clients, I would probably ask before sharing and I would definitely ask before sharing for a non-business need (say if someone might want to send them an unsolicited resume or business proposal).
How should I handle a situation where my Manager thinks I was offensive? Consider the case: 1) On a mailing list a question got asked by manager @Alice "why is this Blah Blah not shown in upcoming list on homepage" 2) I replied with following: Because the way Data Structures are implemented. The index page is re...	Tell her that you didn't mean to insult Bob and wish to avoid inadvertent offense in the future. The key here is to bring it up with your manager and try to learn from them. In this case, Go Ask @Alice! The answers as to whether this was offensive or not depends completely on the culture of your locale / industry.
How do I correct something a colleague did wrong without going over his head? I'm currently working in a project with 3 other developers. One of them isn't really experienced with one of the technologies we are using (an ORM), but he is higher in the hierarchy and doesn't take criticism well, specially from those below...	If you job is reviewing the work of others on your team (perhaps through a formal code review), then you need to review it, present your findings, and live with the consequences. You will need to lay out a good argument on paper of why using the ORM the way it is intended will be better. In general, you simply need to ...
Is it my employer's or my own responsibility to find someone to cover my hours when I am on holiday? I been working for two years with my current company and the new manager is trying to implement a new rule which states that when an employee needs to take some time off, they need to find another co-worker who will wor...	Requiring the employee to find a replacement when they are scheduling a day off is generally done at locations that must be fully staffed and tries to have a set schedule.
How to represent a once proficient, but now lesser used skill in resume C was the primary language used at my university. We did all sorts of things in C, including socket, systems, and OS programming. At the point of graduation, I would have considered myself rather proficient in C. A little over a year later, I find...	If in your resume you have a technical summary section, then you can simply list C as one of the programming languages in your repertoire. You do not even have to state that you are no longer proficient.
How to work with somebody who works quickly without caring for quality? I work at an organisation with a very small dev department, developing a project with one co-worker only. We are both junior, never used ASP MVC .NET or worked on production grade code before. The others in the department don't have MVC experience ...	Some times good enough is good enough if it works and the code is readable and unit tested and solves the problem.
How to apply to multiple jobs at the same (small company)? There is a company that really appeals to me, with two open positions that interest me. Both are very much programming jobs, that I would enjoy. I think I might like one than another but am not sure. Is it bad, or seeming desperate to apply to both jobs? Shoul...	Generally you can say in that letter why you like both options and what you want in a job overall, so that the person receiving your application can figure out what to do with you. With one person, anything you can do to connect the interest in both positions is a good thing - like a cover letter.
Use Adjectives to describe yourself In interviews there is a question asked that goes somewhat like this... Can you state 5 Adjectives that are used to describe yourself? When asked the above question during an interview would the interviewer be interested in an answer that other people would formulate about yourse...	You should respond with adjectives that apply to the job as well as qualities that you will show on some level in the interview as otherwise you may come across someone that doesn't know themselves unless you can explain how while you see yourself this way, others wouldn't see you this way.
How can I avoid divisive political issues at work? I am currently a member of a 4-member team. There is a current national political issue that is very divisive in our region (we are in India). The team lead and both other members of the team are on one side, and I am on the other. The team lead is actively promoting ...	Talk to your boss privately and explain that you would prefer not beinvolved in political discussions at work. Disagree and state why Change the subject whenever it comes up.
Why is the address so important on a resume? Mail era is gone. Now we contact either by email or phone, so why is it still necessary? I have read it is to let the employer know where you live, but why is it necessary? If I'm applying for a job which is far from home is because I know I will have to relocate, isn't it...	Your credit report, criminal history, and mode of living can all be tied to your current and previous addresses, and background screening companies use this information to verify you're not an employment risk. Many people will say they are willing to live with a long commute, but may be more likely to take a similar jo...
In a non-English speaker country, should I write my resume in English when English is one of the requirements? I have read this question Is it better to write a good cover letter in English or a mediocre one in the local language? but this is a different scenario. Often, one of the requirements demanded on job posts...	I'd say if there is nobody who can read your English CV, then you won't be getting the job anyway, so write it in English. Providing a resume both in the local language and in English provides accessibility to HR or other employees who may need to evaluate you but aren't as knowledgeable of English.
Should I chase a bachelors degree or should I start my business? How are those perceived when applying for other jobs? I'm currently employed as assistant developer in a medium-sized company in my town. I'm stuck in this position because I don't have a college degree (which is required for analysts). I have recently s...	This varies due to locale, but in general, not having a degree will exclude you from opportunities and allow companies to pay you less when you do get the job.
Is it unseemly to ask superiors about my upward mobility potential? Recently my company (who I've been with for just under a year) was acquired by another group. Later this month my new superiors are visiting my branch to meet everyone and have one-on-one meetings. I've been putting together a list of things to talk ...	If your new superiors already know you well, and understand the great work you have been doing, then it is certainly appropriate to discuss what kinds of career paths they might see for you. You can always ask anything.
Coworker CCs boss on trivial email correspondence I have a coworker who has a habit of CCing our common boss on nearly all email correspondence. The boss is hands-on enough to know what we are talking about but he is also cool and practical enough to not micromanage and I am almost 100% sure that her CCs do not get mu...	In my case, my manager told me that I didn't need to CC on routine conversations, but to feel free to do so if I felt that there was something in the conversation that my manager needed to be aware of or take action on. There may be a cery good reason for your coworker's behavior.
Returned to old employer after 5 months at a job I am and IT Manager and I was at a company for 10+ years and I took a another job with a large company. The job turned out to not be what I expected. My old employer reached out to me and I agreed to return. I have the same title as before but I have different respons...	It may feel like you wasted 5 months, but in reality, you'll likely be happier at your new job because of the bad experience you've been through. Make it clear in the resume that the new job is different than the old job.
How to display hobbies, interests and activities on a CV I have recently come across the following articles that put a lot of emphasise on displaying a persons hobbies, interests and activities on a persons CV. Articles 1 , 2 , 3 CV itself meaning as a rough translation is a follows: [the] course of [my] life. Th...	You should include hobbies inasmuch as they showcase skills and experience relevant for the job.
How to acquaint myself/be friends with someone who I do not work with/report to? At my workplace there are around a thousand employees. As it is normal I don't know all of them. But I do come across them at various places - cafeteria, lobby, lift. Sometimes I encounter people who I would like to get acquainted with b...	The workplace is generally a bad place for flirting. May be get into friendly banter if you work in the same team or meet outside at a common friends party and take it from there.
Background check through staffing firm prior to recieving offer I am considering taking on a contract-to-hire position with a staffing firm. I am working with a recruiter, he is working for a reputable staffing company. The company he connected me with is extremely interested and ready to move forward, ge requested a b...	Drug tests proving you aren't an abuser are commonly performed before a final offer is made.
Is there any merit to entertaining an offer from an ex-employer with a complicated relationship? I am being headhunted by my previous employer. We had worked together very well and had very close personal relationships until I resigned to join my current company, which is a direct competitor of my previous employer. A...	If the former employer is having problems keeping customers the situation may be too far gone to recover. No, it's obviously not a risk worth taking.
Should titles be included in LinkedIn names? Is it advisable to include a title (like PhD or Dr.) in a LinkedIn profile name? Or do recruiters perceive this as pretentious? <Q> Is it advisable to include a title (PhD, Dr.) in a linkedin profile name? <S> What is the purpose of your LinkedIn profile? <S> Is it to ...	It will also be useful if a recruiter uses the degree as part of the search.
How can I find companies with strong teamwork when searching for a job? I have developed for a few companies during my career. I have found that there is one thing consistent at each place, everyone is on their own. I feel like I try to answer questions for others when they ask whether they be specific to my project or...	Most of the companies I've worked for (and with) have a strong sense of teamwork. Much better would be to approach individuals already in the company and ask them, outside an interview context, but that might be difficult unless you know them.
Great interview - hiring manager never followed up, should I follow up with a call? I recently had an interview that I felt went great! It lasted about an hour, I was asked some technical questions and was able to answer them all correctly. We spoke a lot about my previous projects and experience in the field. We ended...	I would be sure to express the point that your intention is not to pressure them into a decision but to get a better idea as to where they are in their hiring process so that you can make an informed decision about other offers.
Boss always has me talk to co-workers about their behavior Whenever my boss wants to deliver bad news to someone, he usually tells me to do it. For example, two people in our office are having very lengthy conversations not related to work. Instead of him just telling them to stop, etc., he will email me and tell me ...	Consider talking with your boss first, explaining your feelings, and verifying what is actually being expected of you.
How to be found by headhunters? In scientific conferences and online communities such as linkedin, there are many headhunters who recruit professional for employers. I wonder how one can expose himself that he is open to new offers? For example, the following approaches were not practical in my case: Changing linkedi...	Post a resume to one of the big job websites in your area. You need to have membership in relevant groups, such as, in my case, Microsoft .NET, SQL Server, Access, etc.
Informing a phone interviewer about an offer from another company I have an upcoming phone interview with a company. I received an offer from this other company. The company I'm going to have the phone interview with, is a lot larger, and a lot more desirable option to me. I am aware that with large companies, the hi...	"Your opportunity is more interesting to me because <reason>, so I'd rather continue in the process with you, but I can't delay the other company too long."
How to deal with an overly familiar subordinate? My most recent hire is from a different country. We invited him for a face to face interview before giving an offer. He is handing a notice to his currently employer and hasn't started working for us yet. He comes off as overly familiar and somewhat an online stalker. S...	As a Manager, whenever you have an issue with an employee, you owe it to them to discuss it individually, and in private. I wouldn't take it too seriously.
Should I remove personal information in material brought in a portfolio? Specifically, I am referring to a resume I was hired to write for a client. When I include it in my portfolio (not publicly displayed) should I leave the contact info, remove the contact info entirely, black it out, or replace it with dummy text? ...	Even if you have permission I would do this, simply because a potential interviewer may construe not removing the information as a potential liability that you might similarly use their client information to further your own pursuits. There should always be a note available (either at the end of the document or attache...
How can I delay an interview? I am a chemist who has recently been contacted by a former supervisor to interview at her current company. My current company has strict deadlines (clinical trials) to meet and is reviewing all requests for paid leave. The company has denied several coworkers requests "for business reaso...	If the new company is in the same industry as your current company, then they will certainly understand the need to work through the clinical trial period and thus your current unavailability.
Not Given Enough Tasks: How to Ask For More Politely I am a programmer and the way things go in my workplace is people are given modules to work on and every module has a set of tasks. This is just my third month in the company and there are days, even weeks, that I have no task to do. I have only been desperately giv...	So it is absolutely critical to tell your manager you want more to do and try to come up with ideas. Maybe the workload per module isn't evenly distributed and while you are underworked, some of your colleagues might be overworked and appreciate the help.
Hiding promotions on CV because no real change in responsibilities My question is similar to another question here . The similarity is in that I had multiple titles within the company, and that I am unsure whether to show the promotions or hide them on my CV, and how to describe the role. My situation however is quit...	If you wish, during the interview, you can mention that your title changed rapidly in your current job, but the title you listed is essentially what you've been doing all along, and here's how that experience is going to help the company you are interviewing with.
What is the benefit of a standard Corporate Email Signature? Many businesses have more-or-less standard email signature formats. Some go so far as to dictate font pitch, font selection, spacing, etc. Others only ensure that your name, title, and contact info is readily available. Why should (or should not) an email si...	Company email signatures are no different - they show the company brand and are a marketing tool. Font and spacing rules make sure that the signature doesn't take up too much space, or is unreadable.
Is it normal to be asked to sign an NDA before an in person interview? I have had two technical phone interviews with a company. I believe they have both gone fairly well and the company has asked me to come in for an in person interview. The interview is scheduled for a few days from now, but I just received an email ...	And signing an NDA probably means that they will be discussing company/product issues with you during the interview process that they don't wish to become public. It's relatively normal, but not common.
What does an employer check as part of a background check When a new employer does a background check on you, what exactly are they checking? I understand that it combines a criminal record check but what else? Will they call up each of the past employers listed and verify exact date and time and duration of employmen...	The thoroughness of the check may include queries to past employers where exact dates may be used though some employers may not want to dig into exactly when someone started to the minute and may just give a ballpark of, "Joe started in early August," rather than a specific date. Financial checks may be required by som...
Dealing with jealous and overcontrolling ex-boss I started working at this company more than 5 years ago as an assistant. One of my superiors never trusted my capabilities and never supported my growth, however I got promoted quickly, and after some more struggle I got promoted again at the same time when I changed dep...	Don't be nasty and don't be defensive. See if there is some way to lighten the load for whoever is covering for your boss.
How do I deal with a high manager that is pushy with deadlines? I have a boss with extremely outdated software experience. He says it has been around 20+ years since he last did any development. When I give an estimate that he feels is taking too long, he publicly (during the meeting) says that is too long you need t...	I'd look at breaking things down to show where the time goes, and seeing if he's quite so skeptical, I'd also avoid confronting the VP as you'll just come out of it badly.
what is the protocol for thank you notes when there are multiple interviewers I had an interview this morning which lasted several hours. First I met with several of the IT managers, one of whom I would presumably end up working for if I was hired. Then an hour with someone from HR. Then a half hour with the develop...	If you are overambitious, you could consider mailing a letter to everyone you spoke to, but it's not necessary.
Should I answer someone-else's phone when he's not around? Most of us have each owns a telephone and sometimes when a person is on-leave, or simply not on his/her work station, the telephone just rings and is somewhat disruptive to everyone around it. What we currently do is just wait for the phone to stop ringing, but...	Answering somebody else's phone prevents the incoming call from going to voice mail, which could be inconvenient or disruptive for the person the call was intended for. The safest answer is "talk your immediate manager or supervisor" - that person should have enough understanding of the culture and rules to decide how ...
Should I write my biography in the first or third person? On many different professional profiles (Linked-In, personal website, StackExchange sites etc) I see some users writing their biographies in first person and others in third person. I feel like third person gives off an arrogant attitude that I think I am so im...	So my feeling is that you should write in whatever style is most comfortable for you. If you're writing a snippet about yourself that will appear on the company website ("meet our team") write in the third person.
How do I handle a workplace diva? My husband and I have a small consulting firm in which I am the 'chief financial officer', and he and all the employees are the technical expertise. My husband and I share the responsibility for all policy decisions and work very well together, respecting each others contribution to ou...	Given that the employee respects your husband, he can sit down with her, without you present (this will feel like the two of you ganging up, and will be embarrassing for her), and reaffirm what all of your respective roles are. If the mediation - or which ever approach at resolving this issue - doesn't show any success...
How to deal with praise for the wrong things I currently have the enviable position of a manager who is quick to praise for work done at or above expectations: however as my boss lacks the knowledge to determine how difficult a task is I often get praised more for easier / more mundane tasks than the more challenging o...	If the simple tasks you have been doing are valuable to the company, perhaps disproportionately so, then your manager is right to praise you for them. Communicate it in a way your audience understands .
Getting a reference from a hostile work environment The most recent job I worked at things didn't go so well. I always tried my best but for a number of reasons my productivity and relationship with other coworkers were strained. I believe it was a very toxic work environment and I'm prepared to explain why. On my last...	When supplying references, if you cannot find a friendly co-worker to be a favorable reference, simply don't supply one for this job.
How do I explain wrongful termination in an interview? I worked at a retail store ( big company, locations in multiple countries) for a couple of years as a low level employee. I was eventually promoted to supervisor. I remained in that position for roughly two years. I was planning on continuing moving as far up the ...	I would rather describe the reason for your termination as a misunderstanding which lead to a damaged trust relationship between you and your employer, so you mutually decided that it's best for everyone when you search for new employment opportunities.
What comprises pay package? In general terms does the pay package for a job also include the vacation time? For example if a company offers you 10 days of paid vacation, do the include the monetary value of those vacation days, when they tell you that the complete package is worth n dollars? In other words, when someo...	Formally, everything that you get from your employer compromises your pay package - leave, stock, insurance, base pay, bonuses.
When you change jobs, is it safe to reveal where you are going? I've noticed that many people don't reveal where they are going until their last day at work. Some of them don't reveal it until they actually join the new place. What is the reason people don't reveal their future employer before actually starting to wo...	They don't want to appear to be boasting about their new job and thus putting down their current employer and their old team mates who still work there. In some cases it may be to simply avoid any unneeded distractions until the transition is complete. As for the risks of violating contractual agreements, this depends ...
How to let clients know that they are being spied on In the past I have found out that clients were being spied on. This happened twice; in both times I told them. And in both times I got burned for it. I have no regrets and I got a clear conscience. However, I am about to go telling for the third time, so I just have ...	Telling your client that you found spying devices however is a responsible action. Get your legal folks to work out what's the best way of dealing with such a situation, and have it on your contract . Rather than dealing with this question after you've found something out, you can get advice from the client on what app...
Should I dress up for an internal interview? I'm a contractor at a company, and they have a permanent position opening up in a slightly different department that I've been encouraged to interview for. The dress code is business casual, and I see many of the people who will be interviewing me every day. Should I dress a...	The key is to dress how you would feel comfortable if that senior level executive were to meet you in her office while at the same time not making yourself uncomfortable around your colleagues who might not normally see you in your formal attire. Just enough to show appreciation for the situation and the chance you're ...
Should I dress sloppy for an interview to see if they really mean it? Today on http://careers.stackoverflow.com I saw a job add for a position in Berlin, which listed one of benefits : casual dress: shorts, flip-flops, tshirts, you name it! I know that such dressing is a big no-no for a job, and less for an intervi...	At an interview you are generally expected to dress better than the people do who are working there every day. Dress the way you're most comfortable.
What do I have to consider when working with Muslim colleagues? We have a new colleague in our team and she's Muslim. Technically she's my subordinate, so I want to avoid as many pitfalls as possible. What are things one needs to know in this context? Prayer-related details, food/drink choices we should/shouldn't offe...	The majority of modern-day Muslims (like the majority of modern-day people of all religions) don't really expect too much from you regarding their religion. Muslims (most of them) don't eat pork or drink alcohol. As others have said - ask her, she knows what offends her. Whenever alcohol is around, make sure an alterna...
Is there an industry approach to organizing places where people can have private phone calls without disturbing others? Here's a problem: There is a cubicle farm office where most people don't need to use a telephone much during their workday and silence would be great for productivity. Yet sometimes people will have p...	In cases where such extreme cubicle quiet isn't truly necessary (the majority of companies I have seen), people simply conduct personal calls in their cube, and try to be relatively quiet about it. The walls should be real (not made of the same material as the cubes) and go all the way to the ceiling.
Asking/requiring Employees to promote the company using their social media What pitfalls are there to avoid when considering a corporate strategy to disseminate information and drive traffic using employees social media.(e.g. require employees to use thunderclap to help promote new product releases)? Can it be mad...	The problem could be exacerbated if a company asked/expected employees to post on its behalf because the content would not be vetted by the public relations department. An employee might fumble the verbiage and confuse the message. It would be better to have a product evangelist who can promote your product and address...
Is there any value in including extracurricular activities on my resume? I was wondering if extracurricular activities really mattered when attempting to get a job in the corporate sector. My motivation for asking the question simply stems from the reality that I see around me at university, where even leaders of extr...	Depending on job or hiring manager these things may or may not matter. I work in the audio field: spending a lot time listening to music, going to concert or, even better, being a proficient musician yourself actually gives you a leg up. If you rose to president of the chess club and organized the annual tournaments, t...
Can we talk about our personality in an interview? When an interviewer asks me to "talk about myself", can I talk about my personality? Can I, for example, say something along the lines of "I am a completely honest man, and I do not believe in telling lies, because they only lead to trouble". Or maybe "I am a man that ...	A facet of your personality, a sentence on why it's great, and maybe a very short example of it is about all you need.
Opportunity to change salary I'm asking for? I was recently speaking to a recruiter on the phone about a job. They asked me what I make at my current position and I gave them a number (rounded up a bit). After that they asked me what it would take to make a move, and I gave them a rough range. I panicked a bit being o...	You could get back to this recruiter immediately, and indicate that after thinking it over you may have been too hasty with your answer.
Capitalizing on a desperate employer during turnover I work for a company that is not in any financial trouble and actually does quite well. The company is experiencing a lot of turnover and struggling to keep good employees and hire other ones. Most of the cases of people leaving have been for more money, although the...	They may have decided not to get into a salary war, so I would suggest asking for other benefits. You should also talk about the benefits you bring to the company, in terms of skills or experience or ability.

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