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 learning what you’re good at, bold job search tactics, how to avoid making enemies, Twitter tips, and a counter-argument to some Seth Godin advice.

From GL Hoffman at US News & World Report: When You Don’t Know What You’re Good At
“‘But I don’t know what I am really good at yet.’ If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that, I’d have a big pile of nickels. I have a couple of ideas to share with you, if this is how you think–or it’s what your own son or daughter says.”

Wally’s Comment: Dad points out, quite sensibly, that hardly anyone knows what they’re really good at when they’re twenty.

From the Wall Street Journal: Brave or Brazen? Bold Tactics Don’t Always Get the Job
“Recruiters say more job seekers are taking unusual steps to be noticed—almost always without success. Instead, the recruiters say candidates often hurt their chances by appearing brazen, overly persistent or rude.”

Wally’s Comment: Some job search pundits advise what I call “Extreme Job Search Tactics.” Sometimes they work. Often they don’t. Consider this post a warning label.

From Michael Wade at US News and World Report: 9 Rules to Avoid Making Enemies at Work
“Ed, Ellen, and Carl either do not realize the extent to which their behavior creates hard feelings or they do not care. Their techniques have become second nature. They blurt out their suspicions and judgments without pause. As a result, they have accumulated an unusually large array of enemies. The trio could benefit from following these nine ground rules.”

Wally’s Comment: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a post on this before. We seem to assume that everyone knows how to avoid making enemies. The logical corollary is that the only people who make enemies are doing it on purpose. I’ve coached enough people over the year to know that’s not true.

From Anita Bruzzese: Twitter Tips for Job Seekers
“I think most job seekers have gotten the word that they need to integrate social media into their search efforts, but I’m getting a bit alarmed at what some of them are Twittering.”

Wally’s Comment: This is not simply a paean to “Twitter the Wonder Tool.” Anita Bruzzese has solid advice and simple tips. If you’re hunting for a job, don’t pass this post up.

From Blue Sky Resumes: Sometimes, Seth Godin is Wrong
“It pains me to write that sentence. I love Seth Godin. I’ve read all his books and I once spent a fascinating day at one of his seminars. I have learned tons of things about marketing my business from Seth Godin. But every time he writes about finding a job, I just cringe. Because, as a died-in-the-wool entrepreneur who hasn’t looked for a job in decades, Seth just doesn’t understand job seekers or the job search process. I say this with love – truly I do – but when it comes to job search advice, Seth Godin is clueless. The latest evidence? His guest post over on What Would Dad Say? where he tells everyone to just stop looking for a job and start their own business.”

Wally’s Comment: Seth? Wrong? The man is human, so it’s bound to happen from time to time. Most often it happens when his advice is too broad or incomplete. Louise Fletcher thinks some of his job search advice is simply not right for everyone. Read the post and decide for yourself.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 8:43 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.