how do I network with a senior person when I’m much more junior? by Alison Green on January 19, 2017 A reader writes: I am a fairly recent college grad (2013) who was hired by the local city government just a few months out of college into the job I’ve had for the last three years, the first two of which I was working part-time while juggling other jobs and internships. Now, however, I have […] Read the full article →
I feel guilty that I got a job through family connections by Alison Green on November 2, 2016 A reader writes: So I am a year and a half out of college. I work as a Teapot Package Designer (obviously not my real field). I’ve been in my job since May of this year and I’m definitely happy to be here. I like the work, my team is great, and I’ve learned so […] Read the full article →
when your mentor won’t respond to your emails by Alison Green on October 7, 2016 A reader writes: I graduated from college nearly two years ago, and am looking for a professional mentor. I’ve worked at my current job at a small nonprofit since October. After working in a similar but very corporate field for the past two years, I know this is where I want to be. A family […] Read the full article →
when does following up with people about meetings or favors turn into being a pest? by Alison Green on May 12, 2016 A reader writes: I have a question regarding two different scenarios I am dealing with that share a commonality: how often to follow up without being irritating. The first scenario involves a company that I have been in touch with regarding consulting opportunities. This company does consulting projects with other companies in my industry, and […] Read the full article →
why won’t people answer my networking emails? by Alison Green on May 11, 2016 A reader writes: I attend any conventions where I meet with a variety of people and get a lot of business cards. My usual networking M.O. is to follow up with an email asking about themselves, their company, what they are working on and — because I’m trying to move into a new field — if […] Read the full article →
am I being stingy with my contacts? by Alison Green on March 7, 2016 A reader writes: Four years ago, I worked at a company that hired a junior person to assist an adjacent department. She was never my assistant and I did not work closely with her; in fact, she only touched one project for my group. We were not close, but we were friendly and I think […] Read the full article →
8 embarrassing LinkedIn mistakes by Alison Green on February 22, 2016 LinkedIn can be a pretty awesome tool for networking, expanding your contacts, and even finding jobs, but it has its own unique etiquette land mines — like asking people who barely know you to do you favors, having the whole world see you inflating your experience, and more. At U.S. News & World Report today, I […] Read the full article →
how to turn down requests to meet, network, or pick your brain by Alison Green on March 23, 2015 Gain even a little bit of success in your field, and you’re likely to start getting requests from strangers or near-strangers to meet, network, or pick your brain. In the beginning, you might enjoy this – it’s flattering, and it can be a way to pay forward help that you received from near-strangers earlier in […] Read the full article →
is my mentor ignoring my emails? by Alison Green on February 26, 2015 A reader writes: While I worked at a mid-sized company, I developed a wonderful mentor relationship with one of my managers. He has always been very supportive, offering to be my job reference, etc. After 2.5 years working together, I left to work abroad at another company for 1.5 years. We kept in touch while […] Read the full article →
actually useful questions to ask in informational interviews by Alison Green on February 3, 2015 A reader writes: You’ve written before about how NOT to behave in an informational interview (i.e. use it to try to get a job), but I wonder what you recommend to get the most out of them when you’re approaching the meeting with the proper mindset. I’m about six months away from getting a masters […] Read the full article →