1/22/09: 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 not blowing your own horn too hard, your own “cabinet,” why being positive is good, ways to blow a phone interview, and how to be happy at work.
From the Wall Street Journal: Candidates Singing Own Praises Fall Flat
“When it comes to self-promotion, hiring managers say some go too far and block their path to the next level. Call them the corporate world’s American Idol wannabes.”
Wally’s Comment: The First Law of Horn Tooting is that no one is likely to toot your horn but you. But don’t toot it so hard that you upset others.
From On the Job: Obama Has His Cabinet in Place — Do You?
“You may think you don’t need a trusted group of advisers. After all, you’re not the president of the United States, and may believe that it’s a luxury reserved for world leaders. Not so. In fact, no one may need a Cabinet today more than the average worker.”
Wally’s Comment: Life is a team sport. Do you have people ready to help you?
From Jon Gordon’s Blog: 11 Benefits of Being Positive
“Over the years I’ve done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative effects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.”
Wally’s Comment: In case you’ve wondered, Jon Gordon shares eleven reasons that being positive is a good thing.
From Microsoft’s JobsBlog: Five ways to fail my phone interview
“Understanding that every recruiter conducts initial candidate screens differently, I wanted to share some of the themes that come up with candidates I don’t end up moving forward with. JobsBlog has lots of great tips for ways to improve your phone screen, but here are some things to avoid.”
Wally’s Comment: A phone interview may be your first contact with a prospective employer. Don’t make it the last one.
From Work Happy Now: How to Be Happy at Work – Right Now!
“Not all of us can love our jobs. I don’t love mine, but I do like it. It’s all about figuring out the best way to cultivate your happiness at your job – maximizing instead of hating.”
Wally’s Comment: Feeling awful is a bad way to live and to work. Here’s some advice on how to be happy at work.