Career Success

Many of us just assume we should always be striving to move ahead (and upwards) on our career. And other people often assume that should be our goal. But do you ever stop and think about what a move up the ladder would be like—and if we really want it? Sure, the boost in income and other perks might be nice, but there are lots of other things to consider.

• Infographic: What Women Want at Work [Undercover Recruiter]
• Do Women Derail Their Own Careers? [CBS News]
• Is it Appropriate to Wear Wigs to the Office? [Career Realism]
• Keeping Salary History to Yourself During Job Search Only Hurts You [Business Insider]
• How to Deal with a Co-Worker Who is Driving You
  

There are lots of routes to success, and lots of skills, traits and characteristics that can get us there. In fact, if you read enough career articles and books, the wide variety of different (and sometimes conflicting) advice can make your head spin.

• Worst Reasons to Pick a Career Path [Career Realism]
• More Employers Setting Up Nap Rooms for Workers [USA Today]
• How to Revive Your Job Search for Spring [Business News Daily]
• Time Killers to Watch Out For [Lifehack]
• How to Create a Positive Inner Work Life [Psychology Today]

• How to Bounce Back from a Work Mistake [LinkedIn]
• 10 Things Really Amazing Employees Do [Inc.com]
• Savvy Ways to Get a Pay Raise [Jobacle]
• How to Find a Career Mentor [Glass Door]
• Boost Your Work Wardrobe Without Busting Your Wallet [US News]

What is professionalism? In a nationwide survey of human resource professionals, top factors mentioned include working until a task is completed competently, interpersonal skills, civility, appropriate appearance, punctuality, regular attendance, communication skills, honesty, and focus.

For people straight out of college or used to working at a small business, transitioning to corporate life requires some adjustments. To make the process easier and the results more fruitful, consider these suggestions from career-success expert Emily Bennington, author of Who Says It’s a Man’s World: The Girls’ Guide to Corporate Domination:

Pay attention to your title.

• Five Reasons You Hate Your Job [LinkedIn]
• Want to Advance Your Career? Work on Your EQ [Fast Company]
• Why Temporary Work is Worth It [Forbes.com]
• How to Write Email That Gets a Response [CBS News]
• Don’t Get Fooled in a Job Interview [US News]

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the “lean in” theory involving women in the workplace. This is the approach suggested by Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's Chief Operating Officer, in which women band together to help each other deal with the challenges of balancing work, family and other responsibilities.