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 analyzing why you didn’t get hired, identity vs. image, big job change mistakes, ethics and your job search, and good habits for life (and investing).

From Alison Greet writing at US News & World Report: Why You Didn’t Get Hired
“The job looked perfect for you. The description matched your experience and skills so perfectly, you could almost visualize yourself at your new desk. But now you’re staring at a rejection E-mail and can’t figure out what happened. No matter how qualified you think you are for a job, there are all kinds of reasons that you might not have been chosen.”

Wally’s Comment: You can’t get better if you’re not realistic about your situation. That includes understanding the reasons why you weren’t hired when you were sure deal was slam dunk. Alison walks you through some common reasons and misperceptions.

From MyFutureMyself: When your identity doesn’t equal your image
“To be a great personal brand you first operate from strengths, the real you, your true identity.  You develop those strengths.  You select a career and an organization that values them.   This positions you to make your greatest contributions and have the greatest satisfaction. But being positioned to succeed is not the same as succeeding.”

Wally’s Comment: This is another “realism” post. This time you want to make sure that the “you” you think you’re projecting is the “you” that others perceive.

From the Rat, the Race, and the Cage: Top-3 Job Change Mistakes – How to Avoid Them
“People who are unhappy or dissatisfied with a new job likely made one of three easily-avoidable mistakes en route to their new job. Additionally, people who have been forced by the economy to make job changes can also fall into the same traps.”

Wally’s Comment: Thomas Ellsworth analyzes common mistakes that lead to that awful sinking feeling when you realize you’re in the wrong job. The bad news is that lots of people make these mistakes. The good news is that if you read this post, you don’t have to be one of them.

From Brad Smart writing at Great Leadership: Americans Are Unethical in Getting Jobs
“Our society is in need of an ethical transplant. Why? Because it’s widely considered acceptable for job candidates to lie on their resumes and in hiring interviews. Employers, job seekers, and our economy suffer. Topgrading seeks to eliminate the BS.”

Wally’s Comment: Brad Smart is the CEO of Topgrading, and, to some extent, this is a commercial for his company. I wish he had just let his expertise show without the blaring sales pitch. But I included the post because between the sales pitches he makes important points about doing the right thing if you’re looking for a job.

From Leading Blog: Three Good Habits for Life and Investing From Jim Rogers
“Investor Jim Rogers has collected his advice for success in life in A Gift to My Children: A Fathers’ Lesson for Life and Investing. Using examples from his life, this inspiring book makes a good quick read for anyone. Here is a good example from a chapter that offers three good habits for life and investing.”

Wally’s Comment: You may not want to invest right now. You may not want to read Jim Rogers’ book. But you should read this post because there’s real wisdom here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at 6:02 am 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.