Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
I get occasional requests from people who want to start a blog, get exposure as a writer, or just get their writing noticed and published somewhere. Here is the best advice I’ve ever seen on how to become a better wrtier. (Thanks to Copyblogger.com for the graphic.)
There’s no denying the fact that college graduates face a tough job market today. That will discourage a lot of new graduates, but there’s a silver lining to their predicament. The college degree that they worked so hard to earn is probably the most important piece of paper in their job search – more important than any resume or cleverly written cover letter. Not enough college graduates understand that they’re part of a lucky demographic that gets first consideration when employers consider new hires. Despite what some critics claim, a college education is still the standard qualification for most entry level professional positions.
Having a defined list of priorities is the key to confident decision making. Your list of priorities might be global (family, health, quality of life) or specific to a decision (no more than a 30-minute commute each day; requires no more than 25% overnight business travel.) Knowing what your values and priorities are helps you evaluate each option carefully and objectively.
Dr. Rubin defines a “real” decision as one that is “a free, unconditional, total, and personal commitment to a choice or an option.” He writes that many people abdicate their right to make decisions, making themselves and those around them miserable. We’ve all met people who dither over even the smallest decisions, or choose what everyone else is doing – or the opposite, just to be different. In the matter of what to order for lunch, not a big deal, perhaps, but being unable to make a decision and stick with it can be crippling to a relationship or a career.
Are you a new graduate drafting your professional resume for the first time? Are you about to return to the work force after a long absence? Maybe you’ve been actively employed for many years, and it’s been so long since the last time you looked at your resume that you may as well start a new one from the beginning. No matter your circumstances, these eight simple resume tips can help you get started.
LiveCareer’s founders’ mission was to make high quality career and resume products available to everyone, online, at a fraction of the cost or at no cost.
Michael V. Pantalon, Ph.D., is the author of Instant Influence, How to Get Anyone to Do Anything Fast. The book outlines six steps to persuade people to make changes in their work, their lives, or for themselves. You may want to master the steps as outlined by the author in detail, but what was interesting to me is why they work. Pantalon spends some time talking about the science of motivation, and his conclusions may surprise you.
One of his most important premises is that everyone already has all the motivation they need to change.
Internships can provide entry into dream jobs, adding experience and references to an inexperienced person’s résumé, but finding them can be challenging – especially in a down economy. As with all job searches, the Internet is an invaluable resource for locating the best opportunities. Whether you’re a recent graduate, embarking on a new career, or a student required to take an internship for class credit, the web can lead you to an internship that will give you the experience you need. Here are five great websites for tracking down the best internship.
Just as Luck was promoted to Manning’s coveted spot, many professionals find themselves faced with the intimidating responsibility of filling the shoes of an all-star employee who moved up or out. This former employee was popular, respected, and (incidentally) great at his job. Although you may have been the king (or queen) of your old department, the fact remains that you are you, not the other guy who used to do the same job. Just not being him can be a liability, no matter how good you are.
Geisler cites an example: suppose you’re a manager who believes in rolling up your sleeves and working alongside the staff. You happily pitch in on a project and give helpful feedback along the way. You see this as an egalitarian ‘Boss of the Year’ moment; your staff sees micromanaging interference. I’ve seen it myself; a boss who thinks he’s being deliberate and judicious in his decision making is perceived as dithering and indecisive by his staff. What’s a leader to do?
