10/22/09: Top Career Posts this Week
Every week I check dozens of “career” blogs and other online publications, looking for things that will help you find a job, get promoted, develop your skills, and keep everything in perspective and balance. Here’s the pick of the lot for this week. I’m pointing you to items about saving a stalled job search, how not to get fired for blogging, you vs. your brand, dealing with stress, and job search email.
From the Wall Street Journal: Giving a Stalled Job Search a Jump-Start
“For many out-of-work professionals, finding a job in today’s market requires far more effort than it did in the past—and a lot more stamina. Last month, the Labor Department reported that it takes unemployed workers an average of 27.2 weeks to land a job, up from 19.1 weeks in September 2008 and 16.7 in September 2007. But career experts say there are several ways job hunters can revive a stalled search.”
Wally’s Comment: When you’ve been out of work for a while you get tired and frustrated. When you get tired and frustrated you quit working as hard and soon your search is stalled. Here’s what to do when that happens.
From the Personal Branding Blog: 10 Ways to Get Fired For Building Your Personal Brand
“For all of you employed readers, this post is directed at you because I wouldn’t want you to become unemployed, as you build your own personal brand. Branding has become very personal these days and the relationship we have with our companies is changing very fast, so I think it’s important to focus on what you shouldn’t do at work, not just branding and career strategies. I view web 2.0 technologies at the driving force that converges our professional and social lives. Who you are and how you behave outside of work can impact how you’re perceived inside of work and vice versa. The way the world works now is that you have to spend more time thinking about your actions than you did ten years ago because words spread faster and they are accessible by everyone.”
Wally’s Comment: Dan Schawbel knows that sometimes the things you do to build your personal brand might not sit well with your employer. Here’s some guidance to keep your branding and employment from getting in each other’s way.
From Bret Simmons: Personal Branding: Is Your Cart before Your Horse?
“We all understand the old saying “don’t put the cart before the horse” to mean don’t reverse the proper order of things. I see that happening a lot in personal branding. Make sure you understand the cart and the horse of personal branding to avoid making that mistake.”
Wally’s Comment: Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people who mixed up their brand with their personal identity. Bret Simmons offers some thoughts on how to keep things straight.
From Results.com: Managing leadership stress
“Many companies are trying to do more work with fewer people – and it can take a toll in terms of increased stress levels, health problems, deteriorating relationships, and weakened job performance.”
Wally’s Comment: The title of the post is about handling “leadership” stress, but the advice will work for just about any stress you can imagine.
From Alison Doyle at About.com: Job Search Email
“When you are using email to job search, it’s important that all your communications are as professional as they would be if you were writing an old-fashioned paper letter. Here’s information on all you need to know about job search email etiquette including what to include in your job search emails, how to format your email, and how to make sure your email message is read.”
Wally’s Comment: Alison Doyle always has good advice. This post is a review of the basics of using email in your job search. You probably won’t find anything new here, but you may find some things you forget to do.