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.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 4:46 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.