12/5/08: 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 a powerful job search tool that might be in your pocket, a look inside the mind of a hard core recruiter, what you need to know and do if you get a pink slip, and a reminder of some important stuff.
From JobMob: The Most Powerful Job Search Tool You Didn’t Know You Had
“Carrying your cell phone all the time makes it the single best place to centralize your job search information. Here’s how you should be using it for job search success.”
Wally’s Comment: Here are forty (count ‘em forty) tips for using your cell phone to aid your job search.
From the MBTI Blog: Inside the Mind of a Hard Core Recruiter
“I’ll preface all of these stories by saying I was a pretty harsh recruiter. I worked for a top-notch, highly competitive IT consulting firm and only hired people I was willing to put my name behind.”
Wally’s Comment: Breanne is, indeed, a hard core recruiter. Some of what she has to say may shock you or anger you. But this post will stimulate your thinking and give you some perspective you wouldn’t get elsewhere. And read the comments. Not everyone agrees with everything Breanne says.
From MSNBC Careers: Expecting a pink slip? What you need to know
“With jobless claims at a 14-year high and expected to rise, this is a good time to figure out what you’re entitled to if you’re laid off — or if you sense a pink slip may be in your future.”
Wally’s Comment: This is a good primer on your “rights” and a good guide to reasonable expectations if you get laid off.
From Monster Blog: Top 5 Things to Do After a Layoff
“In recent weeks major layoffs have gone down at blue-chip companies like AT&T, Citibank and State Street Bank, as well as smaller firms. So I’ve compiled this list of the top five things to do after you lose your job. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it’s best to be prepared:”
Wally’s Comment: This is a follow up to the last post. It shares insight on what to do if the axe falls.
From All Things Workplace: Where Is Your Focus?
“The important factor in your personal or business productivity is how you allocate your energy, time, and talent. How much is being spent on internal concerns such as layoffs, office configuration, and status issues vs. customer relationships, products and services?”
Wally’s Comment: Enough of this talk of layoffs and joblessness. Steve Roesler’s post is about being successful day by day.