Jobs And Interview

admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 689

January — Make a list of all your files. If you have duplicates, eliminate them. If you have out-of-date files, get rid of them. If you have it on a hard drive, don’t print it out. If you are being given unnecessary printed material, ask the person giving it to you to stop doing it. Pick up the telephone and get yourself off of unwanted mailing lists.

February — Attend at least one networking event this month where you meet at least five new people. Introduce at least two people you know to someone else. Practice your body language at these events: look the person in the eye when you speak, give a firm handshake, repeat the name when you meet a new person and stand still without fidgeting. No hiding behind the ficus until the event is over.

March — Ask someone at work whom you don’t know well (or perhaps don’t like very much) to lunch or to coffee. Try to get to know them, asking nonconfrontational questions. Quiz them about their likes and dislikes, and learn about the skills they bring to the job.

April — Ask for training. Let the boss know you’re interested in improving your skills to be more valuable to the company. If money isn’t available for formal training off the premises, ask to observe another department for a few days. This can be anything from customer service to technical repairs.

May — Update your resume. Read industry news and job prediction stories in magazines like Jobnet. Go online to sites like 123oye.com see what job postings are available. Make contact with anyone you would use as a job reference, just to say a friendly hello and make sure the person is aware of your latest accomplishments.

June — Plan to take all your vacation time this year, even if you only stay home and play in the kiddie pool with your dog. Try to find a way to lose the mobile, the phone and the e-mail. Ask someone to cover for you, offering to do the same. Remember: Work actually will survive without you for a few days. But you may not survive if you don’t take a break.

July — Enroll in a personal speaking class or seminar. Even if you sit behind a computer all day, your personal style of speaking with others or in front of a group is critical. It can be one of the best investments you make in yourself professionally and personally.

August — It’s really too hot to do anything, so get a group together and go out after work for ice cream. Rocky road ice cream has been known to cement strong workplace relationships for years.

September — Think about getting a mentor, someone you’ve met professionally who would be willing to meet with you over the next two months to discuss your everyday working strategies and your long-term goals. Meet with this person to make the request this month.

October — Visit a department store’s personal shopper and have the person evaluate your professional style from head to toe. It could be that a makeover is way overdue.

November — Vow to use your best manners. Remember to say please and thank you to every person, every time. Give at least three sincere compliments to someone other than your boss every day.

December — Give of yourself. You figure that one out.