Trend alert: The Wall Street Journal recently noted, “Many companies … are encouraging employees to sit for certification exams—and some are flat-out requiring the effort. Companies say the certifications are proof that their current or prospective employees meet an industrywide standard.” Which certification is right for you? It depends on your career goals.
Elevate the clarity of your writing by using the inverted pyramid style that journalists use … Go ahead, give someone a high five or a supportive pat on the back … Send large files fast by using a free service such as YouSendIt Lite … Gain credibility by stripping “marketese” from your writing geared toward customers … Double-check e-mail messages where the stakes are high.
More companies are promoting from within, according to a recent survey by CareerXroads. When asked how they filled open positions in 2009, 51% of survey respondents said they filled positions with internal candidates. Just one year earlier, a mere 39% had filled full-time positions with internal transfers and promotions.
It pays to build a positive online “brand.” Example: 77% of recruiters are using Google to pre-screen job candidates, says a 2006 ExecuNet survey. So resist the temptation to post negative comments on blogs.
Laura answers at least 25 calls a day on behalf of her boss. He has asked her to e-mail the messages to him, rather than write them on paper. “But he gets hundreds of e-mails a day, and he complains that his phone messages get lost in the shuffle,” she says. “How can I resolve this and make it simple for him and me?”
The last thing you need is to spend time pursuing an online degree or certificate, only to find that no one recognizes it. Before you pursue a degree program, check for accreditation on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site.
Work more efficiently in 2007 Word, says PC World columnist Rick Broida, with a few useful tips: 1. Print multiple copies of select pages. 2. Remove hyperlinks from text. 3. Add filler text to your document.
High performers usually focus on only a few things at a time. The more you take on, the greater the chance that you will lose effectiveness not only in getting that task done but most likely in all aspects of your life. Use these tips for saying no to keep you on track and save you time: