New Year, New You - Career Advice for '06
Along With Counting Calories, Heading Back to the Gym, and Finding More
Time for Self, Approximately 15% of All New Year's Resolutions
Will Be Career-Related
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Simply Hired (www.simplyhired.com), the world's largest job search site, and Cynthia Shapiro, the site's employee advocate and author of Corporate Confidential -- 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn't Want You to Know, offer tips to take into the New Year.
Set a goal to success
Pick a date and take steps to find a new job. Research opportunities,
determine the skills needed for your next move and take the initiative to
prepare yourself. Find contacts by joining an online social networking
site like LinkedIn.com.
Spruce up your attitude and workspace
Show confidence in your work, but don't let anyone see your Marketing for
Dummies book. Keep your cube decor to a minimum. A messy desk says "messy
thinker," while being overly neat may say, " ... what does he/she really
do?"
Ask for a raise, but not a promotion
Promotions are offered, never solicited, and gives the impression you
care more about your status than what's best for the company.
Image is everything
Remember the workplace is not a nightclub. Buy an iron, drop the hem and
button the shirt.
Wedding bells and baby coos
Life-changing events can be all-consuming, suddenly filling your time
with making phone calls and arrangements, something the boss secretly
doesn't want done during work hours. Not only do you come across
distracted, but not fully focused on your job.
Never blog about work
From flight attendants to reporters, many have been fired for blogging
about their job or fellow employees. Just like email, anything in writing
can be used against you.
There's always a test
Expense reports are the employer's secret weapon in testing an employee's
loyalty. Remember to always be frugal with the company's money.
Criticism in person, praise in writing
If you have an issue, deal with it in person. Likewise, spread praise in
writing, so it's not forgotten.
No one says "fired" anymore
Beware of danger signs that your career might be in jeopardy, like being
ignored, or the company brings in someone to "help" with your work.
When it's time to move on
Evaluate your current position and new opportunities. Utilize career
sites like Simply Hired (www.simplyhired.com) to stay up on new jobs and
lucrative occupations. SOURCE Simply Hired
