Ask Annie
Anne Fisher, Fortune magazine senior writer, answers career-related questions and offers helpful advice for business professionals.
2009-07-21T14:53:27Z
WordPress.com
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/feed/atom/
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Where the tech jobs are now
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=193
2009-07-21T14:53:27Z
2009-07-21T14:53:27Z
At least 400,000 tech jobs are going begging, even in this market, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her July 21 Ask Annie column. If you’re a current or former techie, how does the job market look from where you stand? If you’re an employer, are you having trouble finding applicants with the skills you’re seeking? [...]
At least 400,000 tech jobs are going begging, even in this market, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her July 21 Ask Annie column. If you’re a current or former techie, how does the job market look from where you stand? If you’re an employer, are you having trouble finding applicants with the skills you’re seeking? Job hunters in other fields, have you ever considered making the switch to an IT career?

38
Tom Ziegler, producer
How to be a better global manager
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=189
2009-07-09T16:11:16Z
2009-07-09T15:52:38Z
Success in foreign markets demands that you understand differences between cultures, Fortune’s Anne Fisher writes in her July 9 column. Have you ever had to get over a cultural hurdle with a boss or coworker? How did you do it? In your experience, are cultural issues becoming more prevalent in the workplace even for managers [...]
Success in foreign markets demands that you understand differences between cultures, Fortune’s Anne Fisher writes in her July 9 column. Have you ever had to get over a cultural hurdle with a boss or coworker? How did you do it? In your experience, are cultural issues becoming more prevalent in the workplace even for managers and employees who never leave the U.S.?

4
Tom Ziegler, producer
Trading a white collar for blue
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=187
2009-06-19T15:58:57Z
2009-06-19T15:58:57Z
Many cubicle dwellers are finding new life in skilled trades, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 19 Ask Annie column. If you’re thinking of changing careers, would you consider learning a skilled trade? Why or why not? If you’re currently working in a field that required technical training instead of college, what do you [...]
Many cubicle dwellers are finding new life in skilled trades, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 19 Ask Annie column. If you’re thinking of changing careers, would you consider learning a skilled trade? Why or why not? If you’re currently working in a field that required technical training instead of college, what do you like (and dislike) about it? Hiring managers, what job skills are most difficult to find now?

4
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Dare you ask for a raise now?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=184
2009-06-12T14:57:20Z
2009-06-12T14:57:20Z
Believe it or not, two-thirds of U.S. employers plan to give pay hikes before the year is over, according to a new survey, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 12 Ask Annie column. Has your company cut or frozen pay in the past few months? Have you asked for a raise lately? Did you [...]
Believe it or not, two-thirds of U.S. employers plan to give pay hikes before the year is over, according to a new survey, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 12 Ask Annie column. Has your company cut or frozen pay in the past few months? Have you asked for a raise lately? Did you get it? If so, what do you think helped you the most in persuading your boss you’re worth more? Did asking help or hurt your relationship with higher-ups? If you’re in a position to give raises, how do you decide who gets one?

28
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Keep the job-search blues at bay
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=182
2009-06-03T21:28:46Z
2009-06-03T21:28:46Z
The number of “discouraged workers” — those who have not actively looked for work in the past four weeks, primarily because they believe no jobs are available for them — shot up 70% between the first quarter of 2008 and 2009, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 4 Ask Annie column.
Have you or [...]
The number of “discouraged workers” — those who have not actively looked for work in the past four weeks, primarily because they believe no jobs are available for them — shot up 70% between the first quarter of 2008 and 2009, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her June 4 Ask Annie column.
Have you or a loved one endured a long, discouraging job hunt? What have you found to keep your spirits up and help you stay motivated? If you’ve gotten hired after a long search, what do you think was most helpful in landing your new job?

52
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Get a great job after graduation
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=179
2009-05-28T16:59:51Z
2009-05-28T16:59:19Z
The competition for management-track jobs is more ferocious than it’s been in almost a decade, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 28 Ask Annie column, so it’s now more important than ever to work hard at preparing for interviews.
How did you get your first “real” job after college? Is your company hiring new [...]
The competition for management-track jobs is more ferocious than it’s been in almost a decade, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 28 Ask Annie column, so it’s now more important than ever to work hard at preparing for interviews.
How did you get your first “real” job after college? Is your company hiring new grads? What impresses you most in candidates and why? If you’re a new or soon-to-be grad, are you seeing job opportunities? What’s your job hunt strategy, and how well is it working so far?

16
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Don’t let ID thieves hijack your job hunt
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=177
2009-05-18T16:22:07Z
2009-05-18T16:22:07Z
As if looking for work weren’t tough enough in this economy, here’s one more thing to keep in mind: Every three seconds, someone’s identity is stolen, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 18 Ask Annie column. And ID thieves often prey on job hunters, she writes.
Have you ever applied for a job that [...]
As if looking for work weren’t tough enough in this economy, here’s one more thing to keep in mind: Every three seconds, someone’s identity is stolen, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 18 Ask Annie column. And ID thieves often prey on job hunters, she writes.
Have you ever applied for a job that turned out to be a scam? Has anyone ever attempted to use information you revealed in a job search to steal your identity? Ever run across any “recruiting” tactics that seemed fishy? What’s the best way to avoid being scammed?

9
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
When e-mail comes back to haunt you
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=175
2009-05-08T14:44:42Z
2009-05-08T14:44:42Z
“Employees are often genuinely shocked when a casual e-mail comes back to haunt them, especially as evidence in a lawsuit,” says Andrea Bernard, a partner in employment law and litigation at Warner Norcross & Judd in Grand Rapids, Mich. To avoid problems, it’s helpful for companies to have a written e-mail policy, writes Anne Fisher [...]
“Employees are often genuinely shocked when a casual e-mail comes back to haunt them, especially as evidence in a lawsuit,” says Andrea Bernard, a partner in employment law and litigation at Warner Norcross & Judd in Grand Rapids, Mich. To avoid problems, it’s helpful for companies to have a written e-mail policy, writes Anne Fisher in her May 8 Ask Annie column. Does your company have a formal, written e-mail policy? How detailed is it? Do you follow it or ignore it? Do you ever see inappropriate e-mails come by your desk?

3
Tom Ziegler, producer
Just-in-case prep for swine flu at work
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=169
2009-05-01T13:40:22Z
2009-05-01T13:37:28Z
Nobody knows what to expect, but companies and employees are taking some common-sense precautions against swine-flu, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 1 Ask Annie column.
What do you say? Is your employer taking any steps to protect its workers? What are you doing on your own to stay healthy? Tell us what you think.
[...]
Nobody knows what to expect, but companies and employees are taking some common-sense precautions against swine-flu, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her May 1 Ask Annie column.
What do you say? Is your employer taking any steps to protect its workers? What are you doing on your own to stay healthy? Tell us what you think.

10
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
How to work better with Gen Y
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=166
2009-04-28T14:04:46Z
2009-04-28T13:47:50Z
Not all members of any generation are alike, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her April 28 Ask Annie column. Still, “there are broad trends and patterns of behavior that can be useful in understanding what makes someone in a given age group tick,” says Bruce Tulgan, a consultant who’s made a career out of counseling [...]
Not all members of any generation are alike, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her April 28 Ask Annie column. Still, “there are broad trends and patterns of behavior that can be useful in understanding what makes someone in a given age group tick,” says Bruce Tulgan, a consultant who’s made a career out of counseling companies on how to attract, motivate, and keep young employees.
If you manage Gen Y employees, do you think they differ from other generations? What do you like and dislike about their work? Any tips on communicating effectively with them? Gen Yers, what do you like or dislike about the way your boss deals with you? What motivates you (or doesn’t) to do your best work?

94
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Out of work 6 months. Now what?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=159
2009-04-13T14:12:09Z
2009-04-13T14:12:09Z
Most senior managers have to job hunt 10.1 months these days, a recent survey finds. So if you’ve been unemployed half a year, it can seem like an eternity when you’re on pins and needles, but chin up, advises Anne Fisher in her April 13 Ask Annie column. Have you been out of work for [...]
Most senior managers have to job hunt 10.1 months these days, a recent survey finds. So if you’ve been unemployed half a year, it can seem like an eternity when you’re on pins and needles, but chin up, advises Anne Fisher in her April 13 Ask Annie column. Have you been out of work for six months or longer? What are you doing to cope? How long can someone be unemployed in this market without it being seen as a black mark against their candidacy? Can changing resume styles really help cover an employment gap?

43
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Will your references sabotage your job hunt?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=156
2009-04-07T14:06:22Z
2009-04-01T22:02:42Z
If the people you ask employers to contact as recommendations are anything but easy to reach, and highly enthusiastic, you could lose out on an offer, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her April 7 Ask Annie column. Do you have good references? Has a reference ever surprised you by saying something negative? Ever said anything [...]
If the people you ask employers to contact as recommendations are anything but easy to reach, and highly enthusiastic, you could lose out on an offer, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her April 7 Ask Annie column. Do you have good references? Has a reference ever surprised you by saying something negative? Ever said anything not-so-nice when asked for a reference? What’s the worst reference you’ve heard or gotten?

26
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Job market for techies to get healthier?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/03/25/job-market-for-techies-to-get-healthier/
2009-03-27T13:53:24Z
2009-03-25T21:39:56Z
A White House report called “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan” (a.k.a. the stimulus package) forecasts 50,000 new IT jobs by the end of 2010, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 27 Ask Annie column. That’s thanks in large part to incentives to digitize health records, she writes.
How do you [...]
A White House report called “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan” (a.k.a. the stimulus package) forecasts 50,000 new IT jobs by the end of 2010, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 27 Ask Annie column. That’s thanks in large part to incentives to digitize health records, she writes.
How do you think the tech job market is doing now? Is the economic stimulus plan likely to create – or preserve – jobs in your field?

47
dterry
http://
Why you aren’t finding a job in a different field
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=150
2009-03-18T20:38:05Z
2009-03-18T20:38:05Z
Entire industries are shrinking fast, putting larger numbers of qualified candidates in competition for fewer openings. So it’s not surprising that legions of the laid-off are thinking creatively about where to go next. Just one small problem: Most people are really bad at explaining why an employer should hire them when they have no experience [...]
Entire industries are shrinking fast, putting larger numbers of qualified candidates in competition for fewer openings. So it’s not surprising that legions of the laid-off are thinking creatively about where to go next. Just one small problem: Most people are really bad at explaining why an employer should hire them when they have no experience in the field they’re trying to enter, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 19 column.
Readers, what do you say? Are you trying to change careers and, if so, have you managed to get to the interview stage? What has – or hasn’t – worked for you? If you’re a hiring manager, what advice would you give candidates with unrelated backgrounds? Any tips for job seekers who want to get into a new field?

7
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Be a manager and a temp?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=147
2009-03-13T19:18:35Z
2009-03-13T19:17:22Z
It’s a sign of the times. Employers who hesitate to add costly permanent jobs are increasingly looking for short-term talent – and plenty of highly qualified people are looking for work to tide them over until hiring picks up again, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 16 Ask Annie column. Does the idea of [...]
It’s a sign of the times. Employers who hesitate to add costly permanent jobs are increasingly looking for short-term talent – and plenty of highly qualified people are looking for work to tide them over until hiring picks up again, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 16 Ask Annie column. Does the idea of working at a series of interim jobs appeal to you? Why or why not? If you’ve ever done, or are doing, temporary work, how does it differ (for better and worse) from a permanent position? Any tips for those who are considering it?

10
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
After a layoff, risky to take a health test?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=144
2009-03-04T23:11:29Z
2009-03-04T23:11:23Z
As genetic testing proliferates, a new federal law prohibits employers from asking for genetic information about you, or from using it to deny you coverage, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 5 Ask Annie column. Are you worried about losing your health insurance if you lose your job? If you’ve already lost group coverage [...]
As genetic testing proliferates, a new federal law prohibits employers from asking for genetic information about you, or from using it to deny you coverage, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her March 5 Ask Annie column. Are you worried about losing your health insurance if you lose your job? If you’ve already lost group coverage because of a layoff, have you been able to find an affordable replacement? Are you more likely to get genetic testing if you know the results wouldn’t hurt your insurability? Are you worried an employer wouldn’t hire you based on genetic test results?

8
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Skip the recession, get an MBA?
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=142
2009-02-19T17:17:01Z
2009-02-19T17:17:01Z
It happens every time the economy hits the skids: Huge numbers of MBA wannabes line up to go back to the classroom. Are you considering going back to school, either to switch careers or ride out the recession? If you’re an MBA student or graduate, what do you think was most helpful in getting you [...]
It happens every time the economy hits the skids: Huge numbers of MBA wannabes line up to go back to the classroom. Are you considering going back to school, either to switch careers or ride out the recession? If you’re an MBA student or graduate, what do you think was most helpful in getting you admitted? Did going to B-school pay off for you?

76
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Job hunting for introverts
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=140
2009-02-12T00:11:35Z
2009-02-12T00:11:35Z
If networking drives you nuts and you tend to think a while before you respond to interviewers’ questions, you may find a job search especially difficult, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Feb. 12 Ask Annie column. But introverts have certain advantages, too — like a tendency to think before you speak — that you [...]
If networking drives you nuts and you tend to think a while before you respond to interviewers’ questions, you may find a job search especially difficult, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Feb. 12 Ask Annie column. But introverts have certain advantages, too — like a tendency to think before you speak — that you can use to improve your odds, she writes. Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? Do you agree that job hunting is easier for extroverts? If you’re introverted, have you got any tips on what worked for you in your last job hunt? Would you rather work for an introvert or an extrovert?

78
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
Just got laid off? Get better severance
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=131
2009-02-03T21:42:32Z
2009-01-26T18:19:26Z
If you’ve just left your boss’s office with the dire news that your position is being eliminated, stay as calm as possible, at least outwardly, advises Anne Fisher in her January 27 Ask Annie column. Doing so could help you negotiate a bigger severance package, she writes.
If you’ve been laid off, what kind of severance [...]
If you’ve just left your boss’s office with the dire news that your position is being eliminated, stay as calm as possible, at least outwardly, advises Anne Fisher in her January 27 Ask Annie column. Doing so could help you negotiate a bigger severance package, she writes.
If you’ve been laid off, what kind of severance did you get? Did you feel it was fair? Did you try to negotiate the terms? What did you want, and did you get it? Any suggestions for others who want to pursue a better deal in a layoff?

163
Gabrielle S. (CNNMoney)
http://money.cnn.com
How to ace your first 100 days in a new job
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/?p=129
2009-01-19T22:05:20Z
2009-01-19T22:05:20Z
When stepping into a new, challenging leadership position, spend your first 30 days listening, and studying the company and the challenges it faces, says Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 20 Ask Annie column. Have you ever had to step into a new job and correct a disastrous situation? What worked (or didn’t) for you? [...]
When stepping into a new, challenging leadership position, spend your first 30 days listening, and studying the company and the challenges it faces, says Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 20 Ask Annie column. Have you ever had to step into a new job and correct a disastrous situation? What worked (or didn’t) for you? Your bosses? How have you coped with low morale among coworkers? How can you keep both employees and higher-ups happy?

6
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