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 alternative places to network, focusing your job search, letters of recommendation, non-compete agreements, and implications of the downturn for your working environment.

From Inc.: Alternative Places to Network

“no matter what the occasion–whether you’re at the yoga studio, your child’s soccer game or at a religious event–networking is possible. Here are three entrepreneurs who learned the prime venues best suited to their networking needs could sometimes be found under the most extraordinary circumstances. ”

Wally’s Comment: I really dislike the term “networking” because it implies an artificial process with only your good in mind. I like the idea of connecting with people and seeking ways to do each other good. Inc uses the term “networking” but we’re talking about the same thing and they’ve got some great ideas about where you can make connections.

From Fortify your Oasis: Job-hunting – lines in the water

“I see little point in firing off hundreds, or sometimes, thousands of unsolicited applications willy nilly. The standard thinking on this is that if you pursue a direct mail approach and get a 2-3% response rate, you will secure a handful of interviews every month and, by the law of averages, some kind of a job is bound to fall in your lap as a result. Hmmm. This is why on the blurb on the back of Where’s My Oasis it says, “in today’s marketplace, job-hunting is for dummies – the smart people career-hunt.”"

Wally’s Comment: Rowan Manahan offers of some of the best, real-world, advice on creating the career you’ll love to have. In this post he applies common sense to the process of job hunting. Think of it as applying “the law of the vital few” to your job search.

From Alison Green at US News and World Report: Letters of Recommendation Are Worthless

“Someone has to break it to you, so it’s going to be me: Please stop with the letters of recommendation. Don’t attach them to your resume and don’t offer them up at the interview. I know you feel good about them but, unfortunately, they aren’t useful.”

Wally’s Comment: Read this. You may not like what you read, but it will save you a lot of grief. Not to mention the fact that you’ll save on reproduction costs.

From Careers at MSNBC: That ‘noncompete’ can really tie you down

“Even though you may be desperate to keep your job or find a new one, think long and hard before signing a noncompete agreement. Among the flood of forms you get when you’re first hired, or paperwork a boss asks you to fill out as part of a new company policy, a noncompete clause or agreement may be lurking. If you sign it, you could be shooting yourself in the career foot. ”

Wally’s Comment: Employers have gotten good at slipping non-compete agreements into stacks of other documents for you to sign. They may tell you, “It’s just routine. We never enforce these.” When you hear that, you know it’s time to consider very carefully when and if signing is for you.

From Maximize Possibility: The Death of Work-Life Balance – 10 Ways to Recession Proof Your Job In A Down Economy

“Please allow me a moment to be extremely direct. The days of “work life balance” are OVER. The days of coming to work and adding questionable value… OVER. The days of no one really knowing what you do… OVER. The days of building a wonderful relationship with your boss and you having all of the power… OVER.”

Wally’s Comment: To be honest, you were supposed to be adding value at work before the downturn. Chris has good advice here. Things could get a little Darwinian out there.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at 1:13 pm and is filed under Tools and Strategies for Success. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.