Welcome, loyal readers and new subscribers!

I hope 2006 has started off great for you!
January is a slower time after December’s feasting and shopping marathons.

I boosted my happiness quotient by having a wonderful lunch at the Central Park Boathouse with my good friend Liz and her sister Sandi. What fun we had treating ourselves to a yummy lunch in this beautiful setting! Here’s a photo of us in front of our great window seat.

If you need a bit of a career boost, my feature article, The Top Ten Tips to Jump Start Your Career in 2006 is the answer. Read on for helpful tips and strategies to revitalize your career or job search.

Wishing you a vibrant February!

In support of you,

P.S. My revamped web site (www.dalekurow.com) has launched. Let me know what you think of the new look!

The Top Ten Tips for Jump-Starting Your Career in 2006

1. Who’s on your list?

When was the last time you added a new person to your circle of acquaintances? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. At a minimum, make a list of those in your current network and contact them now via an email or a quick phone call. Set up a coffee date or a time to talk. Share contacts that might be mutually beneficial.

2. Going up?

Rehearse your elevator speech for use at networking functions. Your goal is to have people say, “tell me more.” Read my article on preparing an elevator speech for help in crafting yours.

3. Dream big

Take time to write down your career goals. Do you want to change jobs, make more money, do work that you love? All of that is possible if you plan, commit to it and persevere. It’s your intention and the motivation behind that intention that will move you forward. Don’t know what you want? A career counselor or coach can help you discover the right livelihood for you.

4. Know your value

Do you know how to price yourself in the marketplace? Salaries vary according to location, years of experience, etc. Check out www.salary.com or befriend knowledgeable recruiters who have a finger on the pulse of your market

5. What’s your story?

Prepare 3 CAR’s (work experience stories) which highlight your accomplishments. C stands for the challenge you faced when you began the project, A stands for the actions you took to solve the problem and R stands for the result, quantified if possible. An added plus, work experience stories can be used for cover letters or during an interview.

6. Get Professional

Join a professional organization and actually go to a meeting! To make new contacts, check out industry association meetings as a guest. The Encyclopedia of Associations provides detailed information on over 135,000 nonprofit membership organizations. It can be found in the business section of the public library.

Hint: if you join the membership committee of a professional organization, you will get to know the members even faster and can find out which companies are hiring.

7. Whip your resume into shape.

Update your resume with your latest job, skill level and title. This exercise will provide you with a fresh list of accomplishments and prepare you for an interview. Use verbs that zing. Built, drove, piloted, launched. Stay away from expressions such as: my responsibilities included. Boring! I recommend any of the resume books by Wendy Enelow or Louise Kursmark; both are expert in resume preparation.

8. Mirror, mirror

What do people notice first about your appearance after your face and smile? Accessories. This translates to shoes, handbag and jewelry for women and shirt, tie, shoes and briefcase for men. Spend the extra money on those items.

9. Got the Vision?

Find out what your boss’s vision is for 2006. How can you contribute to its success? What value can you add? This gets you brownie points with your boss and adds to your skill sets and accomplishments, bolstering your resume.

10. Plan (& take!) a vacation

Surprised? One of the best ways to get new ideas and a renewed sense of direction in your career is to step away from it. It’s amazing how clear the perspective becomes when you put distance between you and the 9 to 5. A case in point: last year I traveled more than in the past 5 years, and my business had the best year ever. This stuff works!

Recommended Resource

Bonnie Lowe’s “Job Interview Success System” is a great resource for job seekers. I’ve read the E-book and spoken with Bonnie. Her E-book is chock full of easy and practical advice on how to prepare for a job interview, from conquering your nervousness to the 5 simple secrets to selling yourself. Bonnie puts it all together in an easy to read guide; she also includes free e-mail support (unheard of)! Click here for a blueprint for interview success.

About Dale:

Dale Kurow, M.S. is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. She works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Click here for more information about her services.

Contact Dale by e-mail
dale@dalekurow.com
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