CareerPlanner.com Newsletter
( Issue 1, 2010 )

 

It's been several months since we published our last newsletter. We've been very busy developing new products and providing 1 on 1 career coaching to people around the world.

But now it's time to give our readers a quick update and some really good career advice. Plus we will announce the two winners from December's Career Interest Test Contest.

5 Easy Ways To Make Your Job Better and More Secure

If you are fortunate enough to have a job these days, there are a couple of easy things you can do to make your job better and more secure. (These tips come from the brain of a manager who might just be a lot like your boss).

1) Fix the One Big Thing
Ask your boss what one thing he/she would like to see you change or improve

This is so powerful.

You can bet there is one thing about you that drives your boss nuts. You need to find out what it is and fix it. It could save your job. It could help you get promoted or get a bigger raise.

Many bosses avoid conflict. Many bosses are uncomfortable giving personal advice. So make it easy for your boss to tell you how to perform better.

Ask him / her what is the biggest thing he / she does NOT like about you or your performance on the job. Tell him to think about it and that you will be back at the end of the week for an answer.

Then make a commitment to yourself to fix this one thing. You will be glad you did.

Make this your New Year's resolution. If you have the guts, tell your boss you will commit to making that change. But then you have to deliver...or else.

Remember, when it comes time to decide who gets laid off and who gets the bigger raise, it's usually one thing that makes the difference in the mind of the boss.

 

2) Stop the Whining

no whining

I used to work with a terrific manager who had this "No Whining" sign on his door.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines Whining as: "To utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry."

Being known as a "Whiner" in the office means you complain way too much and others find it distracting and demoralizing.

So if you find yourself complaining a lot to your coworkers or your significant other, beware you are putting a target on your back and drawing negative attention to yourself.

Nobody likes a whiner, at home or in the office.

 

3) Put Your Happy Face On
Even if It Hurts

Even if you are having a bad day, lift up your chin, take a real deep breath or two and put a smile on your face. Even if it's fake.

Most normal people prefer to see happy people.

No one really wants to be around depressed or cranky people.

Smiling can only help. It certainly won't make things worse.

 

4) Get Some Exercise

Nothing will clear your head and boost your morale as well as going out for a vigorous 5 mile walk or run or a 25 mile bike ride.

People who do this say the same thing. They get more new ideas and solutions when out exercising. They find it creative and inspiring.

Just Do It.

 

5) Get Out and Meet New People

I don't want to use the dreaded "Networking" word, however, to keep your career moving forward you have to get out of your normal job routine and meet new people who are in your line of work.

Find local organizations that do something you are interested in.

Find groups that do something fun that relates to your profession.

Volunteer to be on a committee.

Many companies want their employees to be members of professional groups, especially those groups related to promoting and selling the company's products.

Experts recommend that you schedule time to "get out" once per week if you can, if not, at least once per month.

Ultimately, the people you meet might be your ticket to a new opportunity.

If you can't find something fun related to your job, you are probably in the wrong type of work.


Winners of December's Career Interest Test (CiT) Contest

Throughout most of 2009 we gave away two Career Interest Tests each month.

The winners for December 2009 were Sonia M. from France and Sam S. from the USA.

If that's you, we sent you a special email telling you how to claim your Career Interest Test. Just log back, go to the member's menu and look under contests. If you won we put the test into your account.

The Career Interest Test will show you what type of work you are really interested in. It takes only 15 minutes.

For those who want to sign up for January's contest, there is still time. Just go to this page and find the sign up link. http://www.CareerPlanner.com/CareerTest.cfm

We will probably run this contest each month in 2010, or until the economy gets better. You can enter each month if you want.

 

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Michael T. Robinson
President
CareerPlanner.com