Update your image by Botoxing your résumé, says Lisa Johnson Mandell, author of Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want. Like the cosmetic procedure, Botoxing your résumé is a way to “lift, firm and freshen your look,” says Mandell.
Be more productive by setting a time limit on routine tasks. Example: If it normally takes you an hour to write the perfect letter, plan to give yourself half that time to write one that’s “good enough.” Give up on the idea of being perfect at everything.
Question: “As a salesperson, I have tremendous talent and can run circles around almost anyone. But about two months ago, I started a job where my abilities don’t seem to be appreciated. My manager feels the need to comment constantly on whatever I’m doing. He accuses me of thinking I know everything. He also says he can’t talk to me because I’m defensive …
Question: “I often feel like an outsider in my office. I am 61, overweight, and have gray hair. My co-workers are in their 20s and 30s. The whole group goes out for “happy hour” once every six weeks … I usually avoid these get-togethers because I don’t feel comfortable with the youngsters … Do you think I should start going?” — Old & Gray
Engage the audience when speaking in public by stopping periodically to ask, “Is this what you need to know?” and “Any questions about what I’ve said so far?”
You may know the difference between the two, but have you ever used one of these homonyms in place of the other? It’s easy enough to mistakenly type one when you meant the other—and not even spellcheck is likely to catch it.
Keep confidential conversations with the boss private by asking, “Could we discuss this in your office?” when he or she opens a sensitive topic in public. Whether you want to speak freely or protect your boss from blurting out a comment without realizing who is nearby, your assertiveness shows good judgment.
Avoid “death by PowerPoint” by stealing presentation tips from the charismatic Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. Carmine Gallo, communications coach and author of The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, points out that Jobs uses presentation software as a tool to visually complement his stories.
People who schedule their vacation time at the beginning of the year are much more likely to use it, research indicates. Plan your vacation six months ahead, and that lowers the chances that you–or your boss–will change it.
Here’s a sample self-evaluation form that will help you list your accomplishments over the past year and rank yourself in five different categories.