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Category: Career

Handing out meaningful recognition

According to a study by the International Association of Administrative Professionals and OfficeTeam, managers rank promotions and cash bonuses as the most effective ways of recognizing employee accomplishments. But administrative pros put two other appreciation tactics at the top of their list:

1-Minute Strategies: Dec. ’09

Skip straight to someone’s voice mail by using Slydial, a service that lets you leave a message for someone you know you can’t reach in person … Take your job search to Twitter. Some companies are using Twitter to fill positions that tend to attract tons of applicants on job boards, such as administrative roles, one HR vice president tells The Wall Street Journal Put a meandering meeting back on track by addressing those who veer off-topic.

Smart ways to become indispensable

Just doing your job isn’t enough these days. “With the reality of a tight employment market, adding value beyond your job description is a must for everybody,” says Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone. He recently offered a few tips on his blog for being indispensable in your workplace:

In a recession, what’s a perfect job?

Do economic events have you redefining your idea of the “perfect” job? Not so fast. A new Randstad Work Watch survey reveals that 83% of U.S. adults would not change their personal definition of the perfect job once the economy improves. And what are the most important attributes listed by Americans?

Work around the office manipulator

Question: “I’m not sure whether to trust one of my co-workers. ‘Amy’ is helpful and considerate to me. She provides useful information and makes friendly, encouraging comments. However, some co-workers say Amy stabs people in the back because she wants to climb the corporate ladder. If Amy really is a skillful manipulator, how do I avoid being hurt by her tactics, especially when management thinks so highly of her?”

Turning an introvert into a ‘connector’

If the thought of mingling with a crowd of strangers makes you break out in a cold sweat, you’re not alone. But Sacha Chua, an enterprise 2.0 consultant, believes you don’t have to be an extrovert to network well. She even created a presentation geared toward “shy connectors” that’s spreading virally on the web.