Career Success

Continuing our conversation about professionalism, I’d like to share some excellent thoughts put together by Jocelyn Brandeis, office and project manager/executive admin at P3 Global Management, Inc., in New York City. Her practical suggestions show how admins can put the concept of professionalism into action:

As we started discussing yesterday, professionalism is a quality that can have a huge impact on career success. Eager to have others view you in a better light regarding this trait? Take some cues from these ideas about what professionalism means:

Workers know that professionalism is a desired trait that can influence how others perceive them. The word, however, is open to interpretation. Today and tomorrow, a variety of people weigh in with their definition of this important term:

Did your 2012 annual review look much like your 2011 one? If so, you’re not alone. A new study by the authors of the New York Times best-seller Change Anything reveals that 43 percent of employees experienced a déjà vu performance review -- receiving the same negative feedback that surfaces year after year.

No doubt, you have heard it a million times: networking is critical for professional success. However, if you are just starting out, or are very busy in your current fast-paced position, you may think networking is something you don’t need to worry about at the moment.

The first business writing class I attended was eye opening. I thought I was a good writer but quickly learned that I was too wordy and not direct enough. After many years of experience and through additional training, I became a much better writer. I now understand that people are strapped for time, so we must write efficiently and effectively to get the point across or we risk losing the reader.

• Seven Ways to Put LinkedIn to Work for You [Inc.com]
• When the Boss is Out to Get You [Psychology Today]
• Break Free from Being the Go-To Person at the Office [Lifehack]
• Excellent Tech Habits to Adopt Right Now [Mashable]
• Tips for Rebooting Your Career [US News]

Savvy applicants know that “doing your homework” before submitting material or going on an interview can help one stand out among a crowded pool. The challenge, however, becomes how to use what you’ve found out. Employers aren’t interested in candidates spouting off random facts just to prove that they have seen the company’s website. They want to know why what you have discovered makes you the best person for the position.

In a tight economy, spending money on professional assistance to help with your job search may seem like splurging. Many candidates, however, find hiring a career coach money well spent as the expert oftentimes can shorten the hunt for a fulfilling position.

How much thought do you out into what you wear to work? If you don’t give it much thought—or you dress mainly with comfort in mind—you may want to pay a little more attention to your workplace attire. According to some experts, your work clothing choices are much more than a fashion statement. Whether it’s fair or not, appearances often count—and this includes your wardrobe choices.