Here are my best tips on how to use LinkedIn if you’re junior — including why I think LinkedIn is a way to recognize an already-present relationship, not a way to begin a friendship.
Should You Remove Your Engagement Ring for an Interview?
Should young women remove their engagement rings for interviews, particularly OCI? Are very large diamond rings inappropriate for the office? This should be a fun conversation. Reader S wonders what size diamond ring is appropriate for a professional woman… What size wedding ring/engagement ring is appropriate for a professional office? Personally, I think giant rings … Read More about Should You Remove Your Engagement Ring for an Interview?
Perfume at the Office: Why You Shouldn’t Wear Much Perfume at Work
I know readers have discussed this a bunch in the comments, but I don’t think we’ve ever had a full post on perfume at the office, so let’s discuss! Reader S’s question is about perfume at work: I take a lot of care in selecting my clothing/hairstyle/makeup, and making sure that they are office appropriate. … Read More about Perfume at the Office: Why You Shouldn’t Wear Much Perfume at Work
Open Thread: Thoughts on Bathing
2018 Update: We still think this is a fascinating conversation about thoughts on bathing — you may also want to check out our more recent post where we asked the readers how often they wash their hair. A few days ago the NYT had an interesting article about people who don’t shower regularly. Reading it, … Read More about Open Thread: Thoughts on Bathing
How to Handle Personal Phone Calls at Work (And: How to Plan Your Wedding During Office Hours)
2020 Update: We still stand by this discussion on making personal calls while you’re on the clock — but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion of how to handle necessary personal calls at work, as well as our more recent discussions about how to plan a wedding while working full … Read More about How to Handle Personal Phone Calls at Work (And: How to Plan Your Wedding During Office Hours)
Do You Shake Hands When You’re Sick?
Today’s poll is inspired by reader V’s question: I work in Big Law and throughout the recruiting season, I shake a lot of hands. Now and then I encounter someone who says, I’m sorry, I don’t shake your hand I’m sick. While I respect that and appreciate that it’s considerate, frankly I find the little … Read More about Do You Shake Hands When You’re Sick?
Are Patent Leather Shoes an Option for a Conservative Office?
Are patent leather pumps appropriate for the office? Can they be the basis of a stylish work outfit? Reader M wonders: I always thought patent leather pumps were an office no-no, but I’ve seen quite a few pairs posted on your site. Under what circumstances are patent leather heels okay to wear in a fairly conservative … Read More about Are Patent Leather Shoes an Option for a Conservative Office?
Can You Give Unsolicited Fashion Advice to Interns?
Ever had the urge to indulge your inner Anna Wintour and act as the fashion police? Reader M has a question along these lines… Can we do a story on the extent to which permanent hires (i.e. me) can give unsolicited fashion advice to interns? I have worked in private practice for a number of … Read More about Can You Give Unsolicited Fashion Advice to Interns?
How to Network When You’re on the Bottom of the Ladder
Reader A requests some advice on how to network when you’re at the bottom of the ladder… I would really really appreciate if you guys did a post about how younger people can network and meet more experienced people in their field without stepping on any toes! I’m a intern at an NGO in DC … Read More about How to Network When You’re on the Bottom of the Ladder
What to Do When Your Client Hits On You
2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on what to do when your client hits on you, but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion of sexual harassment at work. We got a fascinating reader email from an eighth year attorney on the partnership track… I am actively trying to … Read More about What to Do When Your Client Hits On You
Poll of the Week: Professional rainboots?
As we are coming up the two year anniversary of this blog, we’ve been going through old posts and realizing which ones we should revisit in the light of new readers (and, awww, remembering the days when it took us 3 hours to figure out how to insert image URLs). So here’s today’s question — … Read More about Poll of the Week: Professional rainboots?
Navigating the Murky Waters of Being Friendly With Staffers
Can you be friends with your secretary? We got this e-mail from Reader A and it raises a lot of interesting questions, such as how to treat your assistants, how to behave in a male-dominated field where you’re one of the only women who isn’t a secretary, and so forth…. I’m wondering how one is … Read More about Navigating the Murky Waters of Being Friendly With Staffers