New Year, New You - Career Advice for '06

    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