7/23/09: 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 a business (or not), credit reports, online classes, search buddies, and managing yourself.
From Inspired Startup: 10 Reasons Not To Start a Business Today
“If you are thinking about starting a business now, here are 10 reasons why you should reconsider.”
Wally’s Comment: There are lots of articles out there suggesting that once you’re laid off you should consider starting a business. After all many people who are now in business for themselves started just that way. If you’re looking for success models, there are plenty, including Bernie Marcus and Art Blank, the founders of Home Depot. And there are other people, like me, who used getting fired as the trigger to ramp up a part-time business. But there are some good arguments against becoming a “necessity entrepreneur.” You’ll find some in this post.
From Career Diva at MSNBC: Can an employer ask for my credit report?
“Many job seekers are stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. You’ve lost your job, so you’re having trouble paying bills on time, and that’s hurt your credit scores. At the same time, employers are increasingly using your credit history to make hiring decisions.”
Wally’s Comment: Eve Tahmincioglu doesn’t simply answer the question in the post title. She also takes a look at trends, strategies, and your rights.
From Anita Bruzzese: Do Online Classes Make Sense for Your Career?
“As the job market continues to flounder, many professionals are turning to online classes as a way to help save a current career or start a new one — but both universities and students are warning that not all online educations are created the same.”
Wally’s Comment: Here’s some guidance on whether and how to choose an online class as part of your education or personal development.
From Marci Alboher: Do you need a job search buddy?
“After a while of navigating the job market on her own, DiRago decided that it would help if she found someone to meet with regularly to move along her job search. She says she is looking for the kind of person who’d hold her to task if she said she was going to make 5 career-related contacts in a given week.”
Wally’s Comment: A “job search buddy” is one variation of a concept that’s usually called “accountability partner.” Accountability partners help you achieve your goals by being someone you agree to report to on activities and results and by giving you feedback. For many, a job search partner could be a great way to stay on track and working on the job search, even when motivation lags.
From Steve Roesler: Managing Yourself
“Unlike Wally Bock, I never met Peter Drucker. Yet he has made a huge difference in my life (as has Wally). I’m discovering that although a generation of managers were raised on Drucker’s wisdom and insight and benefited as a result, many who are new to supervision are unfamiliar with the depth and applicability of his work. In the March-April 1999 issue of the Harvard Business Review, Drucker did an article titled “Managing Oneself”. It’s only about a dozen pages and there was a reprint in 2005. Here is a sampling that I hope will move you to seek out more of his writing and teaching:”
Wally’s Comment: Steve’s right, Drucker made a huge difference in my life. I only met him once, but he influenced me through his writing. I still keep his books around and I’ve found that a lot of the advice is timeless. Steve has some lucid comments on Drucker plus a pointer to a fine article. This post is a good intro to Peter Drucker if he’s new to you and a nice reminder of the value he delivered if you’re an old Drucker fan like me.