DEAR ABBY: Do you have advice for what to wear to a job interview when the interview is in an office, but the work is mostly going to be outdoors? I have gotten a callback for a job related to the research I did for my master's degree. It requires some physical activity in what could be harsh weather conditions.
In a world where "professionalism" can mean anything from jeans-on-Fridays to polished Zoom backdrops, it's easy to feel adrift. Early in my career, I steered clear of PowerPoint entirely-back when slide decks ruled boardrooms-and I'm gratified that its limitations are now widely acknowledged. Likewise, the proliferation of online classrooms and virtual collaboration tools has laid bare how technology can foster passivity instead of true engagement.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend called me asking if she could crash at my place that same day. I thought that was super-rude. She was visiting someone else but didn't want to stay at that house because her other friend has a husband and two children, and I have more room. I felt very uncomfortable with her just unexpectedly telling me she wanted to stay at my place instead of getting a hotel room.
Working from home certainly blurs the lines between your personal and professional life. Because of this, it's easy to be oblivious to certain things in your home office that probably shouldn't be there. That's where having a second set of eyes comes in handy, and who better to ask than a career coach? Career coaches often meet with clients virtually, which means they've seen it all when it comes to Zoom backgrounds. They are also extremely qualified to speak on how to present yourself professionally. We interviewed three of them to learn which items exude unprofessionalism in a home office setting, and they delivered.
Developing a crush on a co-worker can be distracting and inappropriate, especially when both individuals are married. It's important to maintain professionalism in the workplace. Keeping emotional distance can prevent complications in a career.
