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 starting a new job, mastering technology, revving up your career, moving from temp to permanent, and reflecting on all of it.

From Bob Bessette: 5 Tips for the Brand New Employee
“Due to these trying economic times, a fact of life is that a lot of people have lost their jobs. Hopefully, the new year will bring new opportunities and job openings for these unfortunate workers. Starting out at a new job is both a difficult and an exciting time for any of us who have been there. But we certainly have to be wary of how we are perceived by our new co-workers. We also have to learn who we can trust and who can help us in our new job. Here are 5 tips that will help you get through this tough transitional time.”

Wally’s Comment: This post is aimed at a person who’s just been hired for a new job. It’s also worth reading if you’re taking a new job in the same company. And remember, there are times in your career, Entry Stages, where settling in and becoming productive is your big challenge.

From Building Better Leaders: Mid-Career Professional-It’s Time to Push Out of Your Technology Comfort Zone
“I’m working with more and more mid-life individuals interested in reinventing themselves in new careers, and I’m finding that a fair number of them are wholly unaware of or just plain frightened of the ever-increasing array of tools and media for networking, communicating, learning and collaborating.”

Wally’s Comment: I think the third major technology wave of my lifetime is rolling in right about now. First there was computers. Then the internet. And now? Some commentators call it Web 2.0 and others talk about social media. It doesn’t matter what you call it. But it does matter that you start adding some new tools to your career kit.

From the Wall Street Journal: Revving a Career While It’s in Neutral
“With prospects for new jobs or promotions still looking grim, many workers are struggling to take their careers to the next level. Some, though, have found ways to cope and make themselves more marketable for when companies start hiring again.”

Wally’s Comment: The recession has brought a lot of job movement to a halt. Cutbacks on promotions and layoffs have limited the places you could go. And people who might have left for greener pastures two years ago are staying put, gazing over the fence for a glimpse of green. The result is that you may be stuck where you are for the time being. Use the time wisely, my friend.

From Anita Bruzzese: How to Move from Temporary Work to a Full-Time Gig
“Employers, still nervous about the health of the economy, have kept their permanent staff numbers lean, but have boosted their number of temporary workers. So, the question is: if you’re a temporary employee, how to you get an employer to hire you on a permanent basis when companies seem in no rush to do so?”

Wally’s Comment: Anita Bruzzese offers some sage advice on making the move from the periphery to the center of your company.

From Mary Jo Asmus: Reflection in 15 Minutes with Bullet Points
“I encourage my clients to find a way that works for them to reflect. This means setting aside some time to THINK. I get a lot of resistance, and understand that finding the time to reflect is difficult in their busy schedules. The thought of spending time along can be tough too, considering most of them (like most leaders) are action-takers. The idea of being still to reflect can be a bit disconcerting; it may not feel like anything is happening (but what if thought were considered “action”?).”

Wally’s Comment: We Americans are an action-oriented people. We’re so action-oriented that we look askance at anyone who’s just sitting there reflecting on life or thinking about the future. But the fact is that your life and career are likely to improve when you season them with a bit of reflection. Another fact is that you don’t need to give up your day job and join an obscure cult of saffron-robed meditators to get the benefits. Mary Jo Asmus tells you how.

There is a Yiddish saying that, “All beginnings are hard.” That’s the bad news about the Entry Stages in your career. The good news is that it gets easier.

You’re in an Entry Stage is your career when things are new. Your challenge is to learn the ropes and settle into your new situation quickly and effectively.

The first time that happens is when you move from school to your first regular job. Brent’s first job was with a company that rents construction equipment. He had a lot of things to learn.

He needed to learn about the construction industry. He also needed to learn about the company and about his job. He needed to make friends at work.

The Entry Stage is a little like the Chinese character for crisis. It’s composed of the character for “danger” and the one for “opportunity.” There are many “first impressions” and things you don’t know that will feel dangerous. But there’s also the excitement of something new and the opportunities ahead.

Later in his life, when Brent gets promoted, or changes companies, or gets assigned to a different office or project, he’ll experience other Entry Stages. So will you.

Every time you start something new you go through an Entry Stage. The challenge is always the same.

You need to learn the ropes and how things are done in your new situation. You need to connect with the people and make sense of the social network. And you need to figure out how you fit in best.

Look for resources to help you do those things. Seek out a mentor or two.

Early in his new job, Brent spent a lot of time on the phone with his uncle who had worked in construction for years. He did research to help him understand the business. And he made friends at his new company who helped him learn how things work there.

In the Entry Stage and every stage in your life and career you need to do the same thing. You need to seek out the resources, including mentors, who can help you make the most of where you are. At Momentor, we’re designing things so you can always find resources for the Career Stage you’re in.