Every week I check dozens of “career” blogs and online publications, looking for things that will help you find a job, get promoted, develop your skills, and keep everything in perspective and balance. My picks this week include posts on interviewing by groups, defining yourself to succeed, interviewing with multiple companies, looking good to the boss, and the Boston Globe Magazine’s Careers Issue.

From the Wall Street Journal: For Job Hunters, The Big Interview Is Getting Bigger

“Anxious about meeting a key hiring manager? Your job-search jitters may soon intensify when you confront the ultimate stress test: a panel of interviewers. Group grilling has long been popular among academics, government agencies and nonprofit organizations — sectors that prefer decisions by a consensus of constituencies. As the job market becomes more competitive for people at every level, this practice is spreading to law firms, management consultancies and high-tech businesses. Employers, who now have the luxury of being picky with candidates, see selection committees as an efficient way to measure applicants’ mettle under fire.”

Wally’s Comment: If you interview with an organization that uses groups to interview, you need to master some additional skills and devote some extra time to preparation.

From Marshall Goldsmith: Change the Way You Define Yourself

“One of the greatest challenges that we face, when we try to improve ourselves – as leaders, partners, friends or family members – is the challenge of changing the way we define ourselves. I must have heard this phrase a thousand times, “That’s just the way I am.” As long as we keep saying “That’s just the way I am” to ourselves we increase the probabilities that “That’s just the way I am always going to be.” I believe that (with very rare exceptions) we can all change our behavior. By definition, the only behaviors that we cannot changes are either shaped by genetic preconditions (we are born that way) or environmental factors (external forces that prohibit us from changing).”

Wally’s Comment: How you define yourself can boost or limit your career achievement. This is an example of why so many of us read everything that Marshall writes.

From Microsoft’s JobsBlog: Interviewing with multiple companies

“As a job seeker, you might think you’re not harming anyone by withholding the fact that you’re interviewing with multiple companies, when in fact it could take away some of your career options. It’s exciting to have several companies interested in you, but it can be hard to manage interview and offer deadlines while trying to figure out which one really is your dream job. So here are my words of advice.”

Wally’s Comment: A helpful post about how to handle the situation where you’re interviewing with several companies and trying to decide which one you love best without getting left at the altar.

From US News and World Report: 10 Ways to Make Your Boss Love You

“Want to become your boss’s favorite? Here are 10 habits that, if cultivated, will have your boss showering you with lavish praise.”

Wally’s Comment: This is a stellar piece. Read it for a great summary of how to look good without sucking up.

From the Boston Globe: The Globe Magazine Careers Issue

Wally’s Comment: Several great articles about trends and techniques.