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.

When I was growing up, my German-born father would tell me that American beer was just “water with a head on it.” The fellow who did the most to change that was Jim Koch.

Jim is the guy who founded Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams Boston Lager (Sam Adams) and other beers. How he did it carries some lessons for you and your career.

Jim Koch used his assets. The recipe for Sam Adams was developed by his great-great-grandfather, Louis Koch in St. Louis in the 19th Century. He had family who had been in the brewing business who had contacts there. What special knowledge and relationships do you have?

Jim Koch built on what he knew. Jim knew a lot about beer, but he knew even more about production. He learned that working for the Boston Consulting Group. What have you learned in one part of your life that will help you transform another part?

Jim Koch got help where he needed it. Even with his knowledge and family connections, Jim knew he couldn’t do it all alone. He made Sam Adams at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. They had the right configuration, plus knowledgeable people and good lab facilities for quality control.

He also went out and recruited a brewing expert and legend Joe Owades to help make Boston Beer Company a success. Who else do you need to achieve even greater success?

Jim Koch was realistic. He analyzed what his competition large and small did well and poorly. He reviewed the market for the kind of beer he wanted to make. Have you done your due diligence?

Jim Koch and Boston Beer have been an incredible success. You may not want to make great beer or change the habits of a market. You may not achieve the kind of success that Jim achieved. But you can achieve your own kind of success following the clues that people like Jim Koch have left for you.

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 job search firms, interview tactics, re-entry to the office, help for shy people, and the benefits of courtesy.

From the NY Times: Job Search Firms: Big Pitches and Fees, Few Jobs
“They usually focus on professionals and managers, massaging their egos by boasting that they accept only the most marketable candidates. Some companies place advertisements that appear to be job postings but instead are lures for sales pitches. The offices of several state attorneys general said they had fielded complaints about career counseling companies during this recession.”

Wally’s Comment: “Career management” or “career marketing” companies include helpful firms providing valuable services and others that are yet another way to separate the desperate from their dollars.

From Doug Maxwell at Westport 1: Winning the Interview
“The goal of each interview is to advance the process. If the process is a four-step process, each step’s goal is to move to the next step. Ultimately, the goal is to get an offer. Some companies only conduct one interview. The next step in that process is to get an offer. The final goal is always to advance to the final step-getting an offer. In order to differentiate yourself from most (or all) of the competition, here are eight tips for winning the interview.”

Wally’s Comment: Maxwell provides a good overview. Even if you’ve seen other articles like this one, it’s worth a review if you’re in the interview cycle now.

From the Wall Street Journal: Back to an Office after Working from Home
“I’m frequently asked how to make the transition from working in an organization to striking out on one’s own. But here’s a question that’s rarely discussed: What if you’re an entrepreneur or solo practitioner and must decide whether to return to the business world? Can you — and should you — go from your living room back to the boardroom?

Wally’s Comment: There are tons of articles that will tell you how to leave that cubicle farm and strike out on your own. This is the only one I’ve come across about how to go back to corporate life after a stint as an owner-operator.

From Ivan Misner at Entrepreneur: Help! I’m an Introvert!
“By enhancing strengths and minimizing weaknesses, anyone can be a good networker.”

Wally’s Comment: Ivan is always helpful and this is a topic that always has interest. If you’re a shy person, you’ll find helpful tips here.

From The Better Business Writing Advantage: Thank You, But No Thanks
“Truncate your good manners and you risk undermining crucial business relationships. Business courtesy itself is a separate and expansive topic. For now, never consider it an option, but an opportunity to build and strengthen business connections.”

Wally’s Comment: Read this post for six precise tips on how to do the courteous thing and maybe gain a little competitive advantage in the process.

The Wall Street Journal ran an article last week headlined: “Choice Advice from Meat Cutters.” Here’s the lead.

“Meat cutters have long spent their days slicing and dicing hunks of beef, pork and poultry. But surprisingly few knew precisely what to do with those roasts, steaks, chops and filets. Now supermarkets are trying to educate their meat cutters on the finer points of actually cooking the stuff they cut.”

This is an interesting article about how supermarkets are trying to re-create what used to happen all the time in a local butcher shop. My mother always asked Sal, our butcher for advice.

Sal was one of those old time butchers. He could cut up anything. First he asked how you wanted your meat cut. Then he remembered it so you didn’t have to tell him again.

In this era of “case-ready,” plastic-wrapped meat there are people behind the meat counter at your local supermarket who are more like retail clerks than butchers. The difference between them and Sal includes three lessons that you can use to improve your career outcomes.

Master your craft. Sal knew everything about being a butcher. Because he did, he could make recommendations based on the best choice, not just on the choice he knew how to do.

Talk to your customer. That customer may be a real customer. It may be your boss or anyone inside your organization that uses your work product. Whoever it is, talk to them. Learn about them.

Once you know about your customers and what they do and how they use what you do, make suggestions about how they can do better. As Zig Ziglar has said for years, the best way for you to succeed is to help other people succeed.

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 lots and lots of job boards, managing your online reputation, defining success on your own terms, deciding about using an executive coach, and being happy at work.

From Karen Burns Working Girl: Thousands of Jobs, Hundreds of Job Boards, Who’s Hiring Now!
“WG tends to believe that there’s a lot more to job-hunting than trolling the job boards but this article from Career Alley is nonetheless very interesting.”

Wally’s Comment: There are, quite literally, thousands of “job boards” out there. Only a few will matter to you. This post will help you concentrate your efforts.

From Anita Bruzzese: 5 Ways to Manage Your Online Reputation
“Maybe you put countless hours into carefully crafting a resume and cover letter. Or you sweated buckets over the details regarding your meeting with a key client. Perhaps you had weeks of sleepless nights as you planned your new company. But then it all came crashing down – all with the click of your computer mouse. It all came undone because you didn’t think about the fact that some of the “unprofessional” items you posted online were viewed – and judged – by the very people you wanted to impress.”

Wally’s Comment: Yes, you’ve read about being careful what you put online. Yes, you’ve heard it’s important. So what should you do? Here’s a good, short piece that answers the question.

From Random Acts of Leadership: What does success feel like?
“When you envision your success what do you include? If you are like most people you include things like how much money you will make or have, your dream home, perhaps that amazing car, or the things you want to be able to provide for your family. For those who are philanthropically minded you may include how much you will give or something you will contribute to make a difference in the world. If you are career minded you may include that big promotion, your ideal job, your dream business or perhaps attaining a PhD. I have included many of these things on my list. Some of them are still on that list. All of those things are valid ways to define success. Except perhaps something is missing.”

Wally’s Comment: The problem with lots of career goals is that they’re too specific about the wrong things. Susan Mazza offers some insight on how to structure life goals that will matter to you.

From Forbes: Who Needs an Executive Coach?
“Not everybody. Here are five questions to answer before you hire one.”

Wally’s Comment: “Get a coach!” cry the pundits. But should you? And who?

From Fortune: 6 ways to be happier at work
“This is no time to wallow in negativity. New brain science reveals why staying positive is your best defense against career stagnation.”

Wally’s Comment: Remember that advice to “have a positive attitude” or even “be happy?” Forget that nonsense. Exhortation is not help. But this article is. It contains six practical suggestions about things you can do to be happier at work.

Bonus: Dr. Bret Simmons has an excellent leadership blog. He happens to be doing series of posts that make a great in-depth companion to this Fortune article.

Reflection is in the air. Last week, Mike Henry posted a fine piece titled: “Three Reasons Why Leaders Fail to Reflect.” This week, I saw two more posts on related topics.

Personal MBA asked “Are You Trying to Be a Robot?” And, at the Practice of Leadership, George Ambler advised us to leave some unscheduled time in our days.

I don’t know what triggered this burst of posts. But they raise important issues for you if you want both a successful career and a satisfying life.

All three posts call attention to the importance of down time. Life is not an extreme sport. To perform at your best you need time for rest and recovery.

Don’t try to get by on less and less sleep. It might make you more productive in the short term but it will eat your psychological well-being in the long term.

And don’t work all the time when you’re awake, either. It’s tempting. And it’s easy with technology that can bring your work right into the bedroom with you.

They don’t call it “Crackberry” for nothing. It’s because so many people get addicted to sending and receiving email all the time. Half of them keep their device near them when they sleep so they can hear when a new message comes in.

That’s not just sick by itself. It will make you sick. And unproductive to boot.

Take breaks. Take time during your work day to do something else. Go for a walk. Go for lunch with friends. And leave the Crackberry off. Make your schedule more human-friendly.

Use some of that time to reflect. When I studied top performing supervisors years ago, one thing that set the top performers apart was that they critiqued their own performance.

Today, in my Working Supervisor’s Support Kit, in my blogs and to classes and coaching clients, I suggest developing the habit of reflection and self-critique. Keep a notebook. Make notes on how you do.

Then set aside time to reflect on what you’ve noted. Make a little time every week to review how you’ve done and think about how you could do things differently.

Take time for yourself. Turn off the communications spigot. And use some of that time for reflection. A better life and career await.

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 grit, how to avoid becoming a ghost, enriching your career, tips for older(!) job seekers, and how not to look old.

From the Boston Globe: The truth about grit
“Modern science builds the case for an old-fashioned virtue – and uncovers new secrets to success.”

Wally’s Comment: Staying with it is hard when the work is difficult and the goal is over the horizon, but that’s what “grit” is. It’s the ability to keep going when there’s a setback or a rough spot in the road. The term is quaint, but the concept is powerful and important.

From Management Excellence: 18 Ideas to Avoid Becoming a Ghost While Between Jobs
“I had a chance to chat with a number of recent and not so recent additions to the ranks of unemployed professionals, and to a person, they reported experiencing a range of emotions, most particularly, an uncomfortable feeling of helplessness, and in one case, an increasing sense of futility. The individuals also agreed that the fight for economic and mental survival is a two-front war….taming the internal demons and turning what one described as creeping lethargy into action. We discussed coping strategies, and here’s the list of very compelling suggestions offered up for anyone uncomfortably thrust into the role of formerly employed. If you or someone you know is dealing with this challenge, you might want to pass the ideas along.”

Wally’s Comment: One place you need grit is if you’re unemployed for a while. Art Petty shares some ideas about how to keep from becoming a shade of your former self.

From Modite: How to innovate your career
“When careers were based more on hierarchy, and work was more about getting a paycheck than knowledge, it didn’t really matter what you did. But today’s worker no longer desires swanky salaries or titles (although those don’t hurt, certainly), but instead searches for work experiences that can contribute to their lives.”

Wally’s Comment: I disagree with this post in one way. I don’t think that seeking learning in a work experience is a generational thing. But I do think that in a knowledge economy where what you know makes up a huge chunk of your qualifications, that learning everything you can on every job you have is a necessary habit to acquire.

From Karen Burns at US News and World Report: 20 Job-Hunting Tips for the ‘Older’ Worker
“Let’s face it, when 50-something workers get laid off, it is harder for them to find new jobs. If this is you, it may be time to consider these tips.”

Wally’s Comment: From the perspective of 63, it’s a tad disconcerting to see 50 deemed “older,” even though I know that’s true in the workplace. I also know two other things. Those over 50 or so (maybe 45) have different challenges than their younger colleagues when looking for work. And I know that Karen Burns is great at shining light in dark corners.

From Working the New Economy: Are your work habits making you look old?
“A new book, “How Not to Act Old,” by Pamela Redmond Satran is climbing the ranks of the Amazon humor section. I’ve read it and like most humor, there’s a lot of truth behind its snarky advice and tips for middle aged folks who are starting to feel like they “just don’t get those young people.” Satran dissects and contrasts the habits of the old (basically, anyone over 40) with those of their children (or those young enough to be their children) decoding everything from the way different groups use technology (old people leave voicemails; young people assume people will see a missed call and return it), to the way they use language (old people smoke pot; young people call it weed); and even attitudes towards bikini waxing (fodder for a whole mini chapter). As someone who has been working long enough to remember wearing pantyhose to my first two jobs as a lawyer (yes, I’m that old) and who now wonders whether I can get away with wearing leggings to a professional event, I appreciated Satran’s take on how not to act old at work. I asked her for some customized tips for readers who want to appear a little younger in their use of technology in their careers. Here’s what she had to say:”

Wally’s Comment: If I was disconcerted by 50 being called “older,” I was intrigued by this post. Honestly I can’t decide if it’s powerfully insightful or neatly stacked, brightly painted rubbish. But I think it’s worth a read, and not just if you’re old. Read it as a way to look at the other age group from the one you’re in. Then communicate in ways comfortable for the other person.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a giant of American letters. He was an essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century. But the quotation that most people associate with Emerson is this one.

“If a man build a better mousetrap, though he live in a cottage, deep in the woods, the world will beat a path to his door.”

There are two things wrong with this. One is that Emerson never said it. The other is that it is rubbish.

The fact is that you might create the greatest mousetrap that the world has ever seen, but if you don’t find a way to tell the world about it, you will not have a beaten path to your door. What you will have is a cottage, deep in the woods, filled with unsold mousetraps.

Let us segue from that to your career. You can be the best [fill in the blank] that the world has ever seen. But if no one knows, it won’t matter much.

That’s OK, if all that matters to you are the intrinsic rewards of doing good work. But if you want promotion and preferment, you need to find a way to get your horn tooted.

The First Rule of Horn Tooting is this: no one wants to toot your horn as much as you do.

I’m not suggesting that you need to turn into some raucous self-promoter. I am suggesting this: if your boss and colleagues don’t understand your contribution and value, it’s your fault.

So learn to tell your story. One way is to remind your boss of what you do. One of my coaching clients sends her boss a “What I’ve Done for You Lately” report every two weeks.

Help others succeed. If you help one person, he or she can forget you and take the credit. If you help lots of people, everyone will know you’re good. You’ll get a good feeling besides.

It would be nice if you could create a career based on the quality of your work alone. But that’s not how it is. Learn to toot your own horn. You’ll be able to get all the mousetraps out of your cottage.