I just don't know how to approach relationships with coworkers. People seem friendly at work, and we joke around and stuff, but I don't know anything about them outside work. I know this company has a pretty cut-throat promotion policy... are they just being nice to me so they can beat me to a promotion or are we actually friends or what? I don't like mind games. Should I even try to be friends with people at work?

Presentation is everything, yes I know we are not suppose to judge a book by it's cover, but, c'mon something got to give. Look the part, if you want a teaching position, you can not come in looking like your desperate for a job, even if that is the case. If you are applying for an administrative job and the position requires for you to have excel skills. Practice and learn the skills you need before going into an interview. Think about it this way, if you were the employer, would you hire yourself, just by how you dress or the skills you have ?

You must wear High Heels, Make Up, and Revealing Clothing while at your work! What do you think?

Hey everyone, Sorry if this has already been talked about but I don't have time to dig through every article about tattoos on here. First of all, a couple of disclaimers:

1. Although I do have tattoos and piercings (ears + septum), they are nothing I can't hide. So I myself do not have a problem finding a job based on my body art.
2. Yes, I do think there is a limit- if you're covered head to toe or so tattooed/pierced it's a major distraction, then other, less traditional, job types might be more appropriate for you. I just wanted to hear what everybody thinks of this topic and/or their experiences with tattoos and piercings in the workplace. Also, I do of course understand that having gang symbols/offensive imagery is unacceptable.

I have many tattoos including a half sleeve and a septum piercing. I can hide all of my art, but it's the fact that I feel I shouldn't have to that bugs me. True, there are many progressive or open-minded employers out there who don't mind body art, even many that actually prefer you to have some kind of tattoo or piercing. I interned at a crisis center recently and part of my job was to go to hospitals when there was a call and deliver advocacy/counseling. When I asked my supervisor if I needed to hide my tattoos/piercing, she said "Not at all, in fact, I'd prefer you didn't hide them". I also routinely communicated with detectives and a few of them asked about my sleeve: what's it mean/where I got it/the artist, etc., and they ended up telling me it's preferred that you have some type of tattoo in various law enforcement jobs as well. On the other hand though, there are many employers that want nothing to do with permanent body art. I interviewed at a zoo the other week, and the job description explicitly stated that any kind of tattoo/piercing (aside from earrings) must be covered/hidden at all times. Why? Do you think that getting inked will change my personality? Do you think it will change my work ethic? Do you think that just because I got a horse tattooed on my shoulder that I'm going to just, "poof", into a hardcore gangbanger? No, getting tattoos/piercings has absolutely no effect on an individual's personality, work ethic or morals, and it will certainly not all of a sudden turn them into a gangbanger. The notion that people with tattoos/piercing are criminals is an outdated prejudice. I personally believe that if an employer turns someone down, solely on the basis of their body art, then that should be considered discrimination and thus susceptible to the same legal scrutiny as any other form of wrongful discrimination. Tattoos are a permanent part of someone's body that cannot, in most cases, be removed. Yes, the tattoo was the individual's personal decision, but look at women who receive breast augmentations for cosmetic purposes, they don't get discriminated against because of their desire to enhance their physical appearance. My point is, as long as someone's body art isn't offensive or so distracting nobody can get any work done (like Lizard Man working at FedEx), then employers should not have the right to withhold a job offer, solely, (key word here people) on that basis alone.

What do you all think about permanent body art in the workplace? Do you agree/disagree with my arguments? What are some of the experiences you've had with tattoos/piercing at work or on the job hunt?

I was in an administrative position for close to 20 years. I resigned due to personal reasons. I interviewed today and will know if im hired on Friday. The job is actually one that I used to work at 10 years ago but remained friends with the CEO. I Thank God for the knowledge and self control to leave jobs on a good note. I said all that to give you a little of my background. I read alot of comments on here, some good and some not so good. All advice is usually given with good intentions. One thing I have not seen is someone reminding an interviewee to check their hygiene. If you have bad breath im sorry to tell you they are not calling you back. Ask someone you trust to do a smell check, go to regular dentist appointments and always have a mint handy. How is your B/O?? If you don't shower and freshen up prior to that interview, don't go. Youre wasting your time. Do you wear a toupee?? If you've been wearing the same one for awhile, you would probably get the job without one. For women, same thing. Im in no way being rude im giving incite as to what happens are is talked about after you leave. I wish you all the best, Nicky.

I am SO tired of coworkers who gossip all day in the kitchen and talk behind people’s back. Seriously, leave middle school behind!

2 blazers or 1 suit? I got a $120 gift card for Christmas that I want to use to buy some interview cloths. Macy’s has a clearance sale where I can buy a nice suit or 2 blazers under $120 bucks. Unfortunately, that's all I have to spend on cloths right now until I find a job. I’m about to start interviewing next month and I need to decide which of these two choices is the best option.

I know a jobsearch can be tough. I truly sympathize with everyone on this site who feels kicked around and beaten down by the hiring process. But let me give you some perspective from the other side.

In my role, I have to hire candidates often. And you WOULD NOT BELIEVE what some people do in interviews. One candidate brought an entire pizza to the interview and proceeded to eat it, without offering to share, while we talked. He said he forgot to eat lunch. Another candidate concluded the interview by asking where the nearest bar was. I’m sorry, but things like this are completely unprofessional.

Hiring managers have it rough. They are given a very hard job, and whoever they hire becomes a reflection on them. Be nice. Be professional. And for the love of God, don’t eat pizza.

(John ).. Little rich Kid, NO business sence. Crappy Tools, junkie workers, crap talker ". Shows up late first two days, then tells me he's all set with me the third day cause I got stuck behind an accident comming over the Newport bridge and was 10min late! After trying to call him over and over to tell him what was going on, but he wouldn't answer his phone. Whole experience Unprofessional, and a Big waste of time. "Big Talker, Bullcrap Walker"..

I had an initial interview where they have 10 people sitting waiting to interview. I thought it might be a group thing, but no. We were all called in one at a time. Was this an intimidation tactic? Well, I got a second interview. Then I was called to come in to shadow. I went in and every time I got up to follow she asked what I was doing... I thought I was shadowing... not now I was told. After 4 times I didn't get up. Then I was asked why I didn't get up. All we did for 4 hours was look for nerf basketballs that the owner of the company wanted to send out as a gift. I didn't talk to anyone, do anything but sit... What I did do was show his current assistant how to find them... The owner treated for lunch at his restaurant. The only time I saw him while I was there was to say thank you for lunch. Then I was told, thanks for coming in, we will call you to come another day. Then I get an email, we found someone more suited for the position. I went off! I sent an email to the company saying how my time was just as valuable as theirs and how dare they treat people this way. They did not even give me the opportunity to show what I could do. I guess this is unprofessional, but I didn't feel they were professional either!