As a job seeker, using popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can present a great opportunity for self-promotion, both on personal and professional levels. As a result, a growing number of recruiters have taken notice and scout these networks for potential candidates. When choosing to use social networking sites as a job-hunting tool, it is important to understand how recruiters and hiring managers can review your profiles to assess you as a candidate and potential hire.

Having poor communication skills can have a negative effect on the relationships you share with coworkers, a boss or other employees. Productivity may even decrease due to a lack of effective communication in your workplace. Therefore, effective communication is extremely important and can play a key factor in the success of individuals in the workplace.

If you improve your interpersonal communication skills, you will in turn achieve more successful work relationships. Why? People who can communicate well know how to effectively send and receive messages. They not only get their point across but also listen while using both verbal and nonverbal cues. Are you an effective communicator? How can you improve your communication skills?

A layoff can be difficult to handle, but how you react to it is extremely important to the future of your career. In a recent turn of events, television host Conan O’Brien became part of one of the most infamous layoffs when he was let go by NBC. During his monologue on Monday night, Conan pretty much summed it up to audience members by saying:

“Hi, I’m Conan O’Brien and I need all of you to write me a letter of recommendation.”

In today’s economic climate, those of us who are employed face intensified pressures while working for understaffed companies. At a time when a shortage of staff means longer hours, more tasks, less vacation time and working from home, it’s hard to separate our personal lives from work. The work life balance can be one of the most difficult aspects of managing a career but in order to succeed, you need to have a balanced lifestyle.

The New Year marks new beginnings and time for a fresh start. As you consider your resolutions and changes for 2010, have you mapped out your career goals? To help make career planning easier in 2010, consider using a career ladder! As you further your career into the New Year and beyond, think about the steps you will take on your own personal career ladder. Read over this blog post and create your own ladder, filling in the steps you have taken and where you would like to go.

The effects of social media over the last year are undeniable and will definitely continue to effect job seeking in 2010. What could that mean for your professional career? As you reflect over 2009, consider your social networking pages and how they point towards your future growth.

Let’s break down the year in numbers and see how the growth of social media can give you insight into job seeking for 2010!

Believe it or not, you can pick up on a lot of tips for your own job search from Santa Claus! Let me paint a different picture of Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick. As you read this blog post, think about the kinds of traits and qualities Santa’s got that you could use in your own professional career.

After all, Santa’s got a job this holiday season, so why don’t you?

Holiday festivities are around the corner and it’s extremely important to make the right impression on your professional peers when celebrating the season at your professional holiday function.  How can you do it?

The next time you spot an open job that you’re interested in, take a moment and really LOOK at the description. If you’re wise, you’ll use the information listed to make your application process much easier. All you’ve got to do is simply read the description in detail! As you look over the job description, consider the following questions:

-          What core functions are listed?

-          What are the objectives?

-          Are there keywords listed that you can use in your cover letter?

-          Are there clearly defined job requirements?

-          What relevant experience do I have to meet the requirements listed?

-          How can I incorporate my qualifications into this job?

-          How do my skills and abilities translate into this position’s requirements?

Are you feeling a little stale in your job? Have you been in your current position for close to or over three years? Perhaps your company does not recognize your contributions as readily as they do revenue – producing professionals. On the other hand, it could well be that you have allowed yourself to become so comfortable in your role, you have not taken the time or expended the essential effort required to challenge yourself, and/or be seriously considered for a promotion.

It is much easier to remain in a role you are confident in and know like the back of your hand, while at the same time, gain the welcomed recognition for your knowledge and skills in your particular area of expertise.

Often it is the fear of failure, or even success that is a frightening prospect for each of us. In the comfort zone of a role that is second nature to you, it is important to recognize that one of the primary reasons you do not find yourself motivated to move forward is your desire to maintain the control that you have naturally become accustomed to due to your inaction.

However, if you will re-evaluate your job, and carefully consider options for expanding your role ,which engages incorporating your other skills and interests, you will be able to challenge yourself and create what I like to call a self-promotion. This action will circumvent the bored stale state you are currently living with.

This evaluation process is an important and necessary step prior to aligning yourself with potential promotion opportunities that will come up in the future.