10/2/08: 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 managing you professional image, avoiding career advice from pop culture magazines, how to tell if they’re just not into you, getting off on the right foot with a new boss, and taking the long view of your career.
From HBS Working Knowledge: Creating a Positive Professional Image
“There are plenty of books telling you how to “dress for success” and control your body language. But keeping on top of your personal traits is only part of the story of managing your professional image.”
Wally’s Comment: What I liked about this post was the broad definition of “professional image.”
“Here are a couple of reasons why doing a skip level session with your boss’s boss may not be a good idea.”
Wally’s Comment: Kris Dunn comments on advice from one of those advice columnists. My money’s on Kris.
From Beth Lisogorsky at Fast Company: Face Facts. They’re Just Not That into You
“But there are common sense signals in the way of indicators that are pretty universal when it comes to both the job market and dating world. I short, I get it when my friend says, “Hmmm…maybe that means they’re just not interested?” in reference to an unfortuitous sign from a prospective employer I’ve interviewed with. So here are a few themes I’ve picked up on in my job hunt that usually indicate they’re just [really] not that into you:”
Wally’s Comment: Yes, it’s true, no matter what a star you are, sometimes they’re just not that into you. Read this post for the telltale signs.
From Dan McCarthy at Great Leadership: 10 Ways to Get Off on the Right Foot with Your New Manager
“I’m going to assume that the new manager is a good, competent leader, and not a “boss” (double SOB spelled backwards). If not, than I’d have to come up with an entirely different “How to work for a jerk” list, and there’s already plenty of those around.”
Wally’s Comment: They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. They say there’s only one “honeymoon period” with a new boss. Dan McCarthy tells you how to make the best of both.
“Jobs are temporary things, often enticing on paper until you realize that as soon as you get comfortable in your position, it will change, your boss will change, your team will change or your organization will change. That is just the nature of business. Therefore if you go into a job excited by the position or the person you will be working for and not the work itself, you often set yourself up to be disappointed.”
Wally’s Comment: In the midst of the hurley-burley of job search it’s a good thing sometimes to step back, take a deep breath, and take the long view.
