11/6/08: 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 going to a high-priced college, work/life balance, getting promoted, the importance of language, and getting the boss to listen.
“If you matriculated from an expensive private school, allow me to say this up front – I’m still your fan. If you’re good at what you do professionally, articulate and able to point to a body of work that distinguishes you from others like you, you rock. Seriously.”
Wally’s Comment: This is a very provocative post if you think an education at a high profile and prestigious private school is a necessity for success. People like Warren Buffett (University of Kansas), A. G. Lafley (Hamilton College), and Ken Lewis (Georgia State) seem to have done OK without that kind of education. And, for the record, CEOs of major corporations are three times as likely to come from small, liberal arts colleges, like Augustana, in Rock Island IL which is the college reputed to produce the most CEOs relative to the size of its student body.
From Career News: Viewers Share Advice for Work/Life Balance
“We asked our viewers: What advice would you give a friend who feels they are not balancing their work and life? Here are a few of their insightful responses.”
Wally’s Comment: This post isn’t about work/life balance in the usual sense. It is about living a rich and fulfilling life.
From Success Making Machine: 3 Steps to a Promotion
“So you want a promotion? There’s only one thing that you need to do to get your boss on you side- figure out what he wants. Give it to him. Make sure he knows it. Then ask.”
Wally’s Comment: Here you go. Want to get promoted? It’s as simple as 1-2-3.
From All Things Workplace: If You Work With Actual People, Then. . .
“Director of Sales. VP of HR. Research Associate. Customer Service Agent. Every time I receive a call to consult or coach, one of the first things I hear is the person’s title and location on the organization chart. Invariably, the client turns out to be an actual person. Laura. Greg. George. Dottie.”
Wally’s Comment: Steve Roesler lays bare the problems that can arise when titles are more important than the people who hold them.
From 45 Things: How to Get the Boss to Listen to You
“Do you sometimes think you’ve become the invisible employee? Do you think the only way your boss might pay attention to you is if you were holding a phone and saying: “I’ve got Oprah on the line for you!” You’re not alone. Many people have felt ignored by their managers, but they are really beginning to fret more about it these days because they fear that “out of mind” may mean “out of a job” if layoffs hit their workplace.”
Wally’s Comment: Great advice. Especially now.