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Alison Green

Columnist, the Cut
See all their articles from across New York Magazine
@AskAManager
[email protected]

Alison Green is the Cut’s workplace-advice columnist. In addition to “Ask a Boss,” she has run her own career-advice website, Ask a Manager, for 15 years and is the author of Ask a Manager: How to Navigate Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work and Managing to Change the World: The Nonprofit Manager's Guide to Getting Results.

  1. career
    ‘How Do I Apply for a Job Internally Without My Boss Knowing?’Don’t hold yourself back just out of fear of how your manager might take the news.
  2. career
    ‘My Job Offer Was Rescinded After I Asked for More Money’I realize it’s cold comfort right now, but you’re better off not working for a company that’s hostile to employees who advocate for their own worth.
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    My Company Is a Great Place to Work … for Everyone But MeThis situation isn’t your fault, but it’s almost certainly happening because you’re letting it.
  4. career
    ‘How Much Time Can I Ask for to Consider a Job Offer?’It can be risky to say you’ll need more than a week.
  5. ask a boss
    42 Gifts for Every Type of EmployeeWhen you’re the boss giving gifts to your team, you can find thoughtful things for each person without playing favorites.
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    How to Survive the Office Holiday PartyYes, you should go. But as long as you spend a few minutes talking to your boss, you can probably get away with leaving early.
  7. career
    ‘Should I Give My Boss a Holiday Gift?’Don’t do it! That and all your other questions about holiday gift-giving at work, answered.
  8. ask a boss
    How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a JobI’ve read thousands of cover letters in my career. Here are all the elements of an actually good one.
  9. career
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    ‘Can I Ask Why My Co-worker Was Fired?’That’s not really your business, but there’s still a way to talk to your boss about feedback and improvement.
  10. ask a boss
    How to Ask for a RaiseBefore approaching your boss, here’s everything you should know.
  11. career
    ‘I Had a Great Job Interview — Why Haven’t I Heard Back?’It’s impossible to tell from the outside what might be going on, so you should never, ever assume a job is a lock.
  12. career
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    How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job InterviewOnce you understand what your interviewer is looking for, this question gets much easier to approach.
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    ‘My Boss Says I Need to Socialize More With My Team’If you’re not seeing any repercussions aside from periodically hearing about it from your boss, I’d just brush it off.
  14. career
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    ‘How Do I Announce My Pregnancy at Work?’It’s okay if your plans aren’t set in stone yet.
  15. career
    ‘I Hate Public Speaking So Much I Might Quit My Job’You’re not going to like hearing this, but you have to talk to your manager about it.
  16. career
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    How to Negotiate a Salary After a Job Offer: 6 Tips to Get More MoneyThe safest time to bring it up, what to say, and more.
  17. career
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    ‘I Can’t Keep Up at Work’Alison Green responds to two readers: one who feels like the weakest link on her team and another who doesn’t but is treated as though she is.
  18. ask a boss
    What to Do If You’re Paid Less Than a Male Co-WorkerHow to raise the issue, step by step.
  19. career
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    How to Shut Down Gossip at WorkIt helps to decide if the rumors are helpful or harmful.
  20. career
    Everything You Need to Know About Maternity Leave in the U.S.Understanding how it works, what your employer is required to offer, and more.
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    ‘When Should I Tell My Interviewer That I’m Pregnant?’You’re not obligated, legally or ethically, to disclose a pregnancy during the hiring process.
  22. career
    How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview: Examples, Dos, and Don’tsYou’re not actually thanking your interviewer; you’re continuing the conversation and strengthening the impression you made.
  23. career
    10 Impressive Questions to Ask in a Job InterviewTo show employers you’re exceptional and to find out if it’s the right job for you.
  24. career
    How to Ask for More Vacation TimeKnow that this is (a) a normal thing people do, and (b) a request that’s often granted.
  25. career
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    ‘My New Boss Treats Me Like I’m His Assistant. I’m Not.’Even if HR intervenes, you’re unlikely to be able to thrive in this job.
  26. career
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    How to Give Constructive Criticism Without Making It AwkwardIf it’s done well, giving feedback at work doesn’t have to be unpleasant.
  27. career
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    ‘I Work From Home and Can’t Focus’Some people are not cut out for remote work, but it’s also possible that you’re just burned out.
  28. career
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    How Much Severance Pay Am I Entitled To?Everything you need to know to negotiate the stressful world of severance pay.
  29. career
    ‘This Is My First Job Postgrad. Is My Boss’s Behavior Normal?’Well, there’s how things should be and then there’s how things actually are.
  30. career
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    How to Write an Out-of-Office MessageToo many people share too much information.
  31. career
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    How to Be a Good InterviewerIt might sound obvious, but you need to seriously consider what qualifications you’re looking for, and how to assess them.
  32. career
    Ask a Boss: ‘My Office Goes Overboard for Halloween’Workplace-advice columnist Alison Green answers questions from readers about keeping it professional on Halloween.
  33. career
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    10 Ways to Nail Your Video InterviewPants are not optional. Also, eliminate distractions and make sure your facial expressions are communicating what you want them to.
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    ‘My Boss Says She Expects Me to Always Be Available on My Days Off’I wonder whether she meant her statement the way you heard it. It could be you’d only get a call in the case of an emergency, if at all.
  35. career
    How to Find a Job Long-DistanceThere are ways to improve your chances of getting a response when applying to jobs out of state.
  36. career
    ‘I’m Sick of Covering for My Co-workers Who Have Kids’The problem: Your colleagues’ flexibility is coming at your expense rather than the company’s expense.
  37. career
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    How to Make a Résumé Interviewers Actually Want to ReadHiring managers spend about 20 seconds scanning a résumé. Here’s how to get their attention.
  38. ask a boss
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    10 Things You Need to Do Before You ResignYou’ve made the decision to quit your job. But before you resign, take these steps first to ensure an easy transition.
  39. ask a boss
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    ‘I Just Found Out I’m Being Underpaid. Now What?’Even if you get a raise now, this is a company that’s much too comfortable paying you less than your work is worth.
  40. ask a boss
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    ‘My Boss Won’t Do Anything About My Slacker Co-worker’It can be liberating to acknowledge there’s nothing you can do to manage this problem.
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    How to Write a Perfect Resignation LetterFor one, it’s not the place to air your grievances. For another, it shouldn’t be how your boss finds out you’re leaving.
  42. ask a boss
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    ‘My Boss Has Been Impossible to Work With Ever Since I Gave Notice’It’s almost a hallmark of poorly run companies that people are mistreated during their notice periods.
  43. work
    How to Gracefully Decline a Job OfferIt’s completely okay for you to reject an employer, just as it’s normal for employers to turn down applicants.
  44. ask a boss
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    ‘Should I Interview for an Attractive Job If I Like My Current One?’If you’re intrigued by the opening and think it could be a good fit, it makes sense to take the interview and learn more.
  45. ask a boss
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    When Should I Tell Potential Employers About My Disability?Since it’s not something they can legally take into consideration, wait until the offer stage.
  46. ask a boss
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    ‘Should I Be Honest in My Exit Interview?’Companies that truly want to hear employees’ input will solicit that input while you’re still working there, not once you’re walking out the door.
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    How to Answer ‘Why Are You Interested in This Position?’ in a Job InterviewThis is usually one of the first questions asked in an interview, and you shouldn’t wing your answer.
  48. ask a boss
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    ‘I’m Sick of Having to Do My Incompetent Colleague’s Work’Talk to your manager. It sounds as if he might not realize how frustrated you are or how much it’s affecting your work or your hours.
  49. ask a boss
    ‘I’m Working Remotely, But My Company Won’t Let Me Move Out of State’When you’re already remote, it’s easy to think, What difference does it make whether I’m working ten miles away or across the country?
  50. ask a boss
    ‘My Boss Demands Unrealistic Timelines When Assigning Me Work’At this point she’s learned from experience that if she pushes you, you’ll find a way to get it done.
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