12/17/09: 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 starting the New Year with a New Job, resume writing, fitting in, having an impact, and being courageous.
From Forbes: Three Tips For Starting The New Year With A New Job
“The unemployment rate has been increasing every month. If you’re like most of the 17 million Americans who are out of work, you can’t afford to wait for the economy to improve before you find employment. You need to start the new year with a new job. But how? You’ve been applying for jobs online, networking with professionals in your industry and using every resource at your disposal. How are some other people getting multiple job interviews and landing positions quickly, despite the odds?”
Wally’s Comment: A New Job for the New Year? That’s a tall order, seeing as how it’s mid-December, with Christmas hard upon us. The title is over-hype, but there are some provocative suggestions in this article that could make a difference for you.
From Applicant: 10 Key Steps To Writing a Winning Resume
“Although it takes most of us a while to write resumes that create a lasting impression, it usually takes 20-30 seconds for a prospective employer to decide whether or not you should be on the interview list. There are hundreds and thousands of tips on the web on how you can create a “killer resume,” but the one that can master the art is you. As in everything else, writing a resume requires practice. A sure fire way to make your resume stand out and deliver a perfect speech on your behalf is by following a few simple steps, simple but something that needs to be reminded often.”
Wally’s Comment: I liked this post because it was simple, straightforward, and sensible.
From Harrison Barnes: The Importance of Fitting In
“One of the most persistent mistakes people make is to not understand the importance of fitting in their work environments. Indeed, fitting in is something that enables you to both get and keep a job. In terms of what it takes to succeed in the long term, fitting in may actually be more important than your skill level. This little-known observation is something that is lost on many people and can result in unhappy and unfulfilling careers. Conversely, being aware of this often results in very happy and fulfilling careers. The problem is that it is often the very best people and those with the best academics and technical skills who are the ones who end up not fitting in.”
Wally’s Comment: Fitting in is important. I’ve just completed a study of companies who’ve been successful for a very long time. They have strong cultures. If you fit the culture at Nordstrom or WL Gore or Nucor or Enterprise Rent-a-Car, you’ll love working there. Otherwise you’ll probably hate it.
From Effective CIO: Lifetime Impact
“Last week I learned that one of the senior members of the communications group, Dan McRae, passed away. Dan was a brilliant engineer, but he was also a kind, supportive mentor to many, many people. As his coworkers learned of his passing, they began to share memories of Dan and the profound impact he had had on their lives. Although I had only known Dan peripherally, those who had known and worked with him for decades echoed a common sentiment: he had made a profound difference in their lives.”
Wally’s Comment: Every one of us has people who have profoundly affected the way we are today. Christmas seems like a good time to remember them, for they are truly gifts.
From Jason Seiden at Work: Practice Courage this Holiday Season
“I had a real life fail here land at my feet tonight that I feel compelled to share. The names are being withheld because everyone involved reads my blog.”
Wally’s Comment: This is a remarkable and powerful post. Read it. Then keep it nearby so you can read it again.