Book Recommendation: The Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

I have had the fortune to be acquainted with Penelope Trunk, aka the Brazen Careerist, business advice / career columnist for the Boston Globe, for some time now. Penelope has always impressed me with her insightfulness and fresh, no-nonsense, practical ideas about managing careers and work.

So, I was delighted to receive from her publisher Warner Books a copy of her new book, Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success. Simply put, it is a really good read, and a valuable addition to increasing your career intelligence quotient.

I may call up one or two of her ideas for further discussion in later posts. What I really like though, is that she captures in 45 short sections new ideas about the changing rules of success. That the corporate ladder climb isn't as relevant as it used to be. That the pursuit of experience and skills and professional / personal development is what drives today's younger workers. That taking detours and resume gaps aren't a bad thing.

Reader Warning:I think Penelope and I get along because we see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. Sections like "There Are No Bad Bosses, Only Whiny Employees" or "Blame Yourself First" rest squarely in the camp of personality responsibility and choice. If that kind of medicine doesn't sit well, then maybe Penelope's approach isn't for you.

For everyone else, if you are hungry for some practical tips and wisdom on managing and developing your career, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of the Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success.
Technorati Tag: Brazen Careerist

Technorati Tags: career coach

Career Boosting Tip #4: Do more than "dust off" the resume

Update your resume. Yes, I know, so obvious. But, I am suggesting more…

First, your resume should be relatively up-to-date. What does that mean? I recommend that anyone who has been in a job for more than 6 months should update their resume to include their current role. You never know who is going to call. Or what internal or external opportunities might come around. (Or, what negative surprise might you one Monday AM.)

More importantly, the process of capturing what you have done and what you are currently working on is an important, ongoing career management imperative.

To do more than dust off your resume, consider…

• Focusing on outcomes, the difference you have made rather than solely on duties and responsibilities
• Capturing your true professional strengths and putting them on the resume. Don’t be shy.
• Developing a summary pitch about what you offer and where you fit. You can’t and shouldn’t be all things to all employers, so don’t try. Figure out what you do and do very well, and capture that.

 Of course, we would be delighted to assist you with BoldCareer’s resume writing services. However, you can do it yourself as well. It takes an investment of your time, but one that will pay off. Make it part of your to-do list to boost your career this year.

Launching a Blog Series: 100 Career Boosting Tips

Okay. I am putting it out there. I was thinking over the holiday (well a little bit anyway) about the next spurt of blogging activity. I wanted a theme. And in my usual fashion, I came up with something biggish.

How about a 100 Tips on boosting your career? Sound good?

Okay. My pulse just went up a bit as I put that out there, but hey, we grow when we stretch.

100 short tips on boosting your career. Coming up.

My loophole…no deadline. But they are coming.

Tune in and share the series with friends.

Technorati Tags: career change, career coach, career development, career transition, cover letter, interviewing, job search, networking, personal branding, resume writing, resumes

Take the "Are You Market Ready?" Challenge Quiz

As promised, I have launched a free, 17-question online quiz for you. The focus?

If you are planning some form of career transition in 2007 - job search, internal move, career change, you should be well prepared in advance of putting the wheels in motion. One of the most common career management mistakes I see is unprepared or improperly prepared career transitioners.

If you have any ideas about a move, are you ready to start a job search or career change in 2007? Find out how ready you are and in what areas you need to work on with the Are You Market Ready? Challenge Quiz.

Technorati Tags: career change, career transition, job search

Clarity & Precision

There are many necessary elements to a well-managed career. I am continuously struck by the importance of clarity and preciseness when it comes to being on the job market, promoting yourself, and navigating the changes and potential opportunities that arise.

Clarity is vital in order to understand your strengths, interests and where you fit best. Clarity in your thinking and planning for what you want to do next and where that fits into your overall career plan. Clarity about what is important to you. Clarity about why you make a compelling and attractive candidate for work assignments.

Preciseness is important in how you communicate the above. In your day-to-day interactions. In the formal packaging of yourself via your resumé, cover letters, bio, web site, blog, or portfolio. Preciseness (and overall messaging) in your ability to interview effectively. Of course, it is difficult to be precise in an authentic way without first being clear.

The ability to market yourself effectively stems from that clarity and precision. Communication therefore plays a vital role in how you successfully manage your career. On this theme, today's article is a very short piece on Avoiding Clichés.

Technorati Tags: career coach, job search, personal branding