Andy Parkinson’s World

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 seven important trends, wrapping up your internship, staying with a job you hate, making the most of your job, your most important customer, and job search for over-50s.

From the Work Buzz: 7 trends job seekers and workers should know about
“Where’s that crystal ball when you need one? While consumer confidence and new home sales are up, job seekers and employers alike are aching to get any good news on the job market these days. A new survey released this week may offer some hope. CareerBuilder and Robert Half International released its annual EDGE Report, which looks at current employment situation and the future hiring landscape. Here are some of the trends the study found and what they mean for you.”

Wally’s Comment: Find out who’s hiring, who’s not, trends in compensation negotiation, the effect of the stimulus package on hiring, and more.

From the Washington Post: Bring Your Internship to a Strong Close
“If you haven’t already developed a network of people who know your work and like you, get going on that immediately, experts say. Go to lunch with colleagues; go to the company cafeteria and introduce yourself to a table full of engineers or managers. Or look up alumni from your university who work at the company. Attend intern events and other activities for staff. Find someone who’s willing to mentor you for the next year.”

Wally’s Comment: There are lots of articles about finding, winning, and making the most of your internship. This is the only one I’ve seen on wrapping one up.

From Working Girl: Keeping A Job You Hate
“Not so long ago, you may have been advised to just dump that job you hate and find another.  No longer.  Now we are back to this old-fashioned, but sterling, advice: Don’t quit a job until you’ve nailed down a new one.”

Wally’s Comment: OK, you’re stuck in a job you hate. What should you do? Working Girl has some advice. Check out my post, “I hate my job!” as well.

From Forbes: Make The Most Of The Job You’ve Got
“Not so long ago, new jobs offering new challenges were easy to find. But with the economy struggling, it’s up to you to spot opportunities for growth in your current job.”

Wally’s Comment: Love it or hate it, every job has lessons for you. Here are some thought about getting the most form the job you’re in.

From Cube Rules: Your manager is your most important customer
“Read through the literature and you’d think customers are the most important people on the planet. And they are. It’s just that most people think someone other than their manager is the customer. The reality is, however, that your manager is your most important customer. Here are three reasons why.”

Wally’s Comment: Besides yourself, the person with the greatest impact on what you get out of your job is your boss. Your job is helping him or her succeed.

From Future Perfect: Job search for the 50 somethings
“One of the most vulnerable groups in this or any other recession is the 50 somethings. This is not necessarily because they are poor performers, but usually because they are simply more expensive than junior employees. Severing a few senior execs or older employees can make an instant and positive impact on any organisation’s salary bill. Additionally, at this level employees are also costly in terms of perks and benefits, with company cars, phones, lap tops, health and pension plans and longer holidays etc all contributing to reducing a company’s overheads when they cease. So whether you’re pushed or decide to take advantage of voluntary early retirement schemes, there are lots of things to take into consideration. So what can you do?”

Wally’s Comment: It’s a different job market when you’re over 50. Dorothy Dalton describes the market and some success-building strategies.