CAREERS NOW 07-29-09

Simple Ways To Stand Out From the Crowd

DEAR JOYCE: I keep reading about ways to "brand yourself" that mostly involve technological proficiency. Other than using e-mail, I prefer simpler methods of standing out at work. Your comments? - M.D.

As you prefer high touch to high tech, here are simple sample ideas:

-- Consider the artful use of the memo, whether delivered by e-mail or on paper. Projecting your thoughts in a concrete form is usually the most readily available way to flag your talents to management. Write and rewrite until your observations are cogent, persuasive and presented in logical order. If your memos must be lengthy, write a summary page with key points to capture the reader's interest.

-- Avoid presenting half-baked ideas. After identifying a problem, suggest specific plans of action to achieve solutions. A brilliant idea isn't enough.

-- Show your smiling face to your boss as often as there is a valid reason. Out of sight, out of mind.

-- Volunteer for extra work assignments.

-- Praise coworkers' achievements if you want them to return the favor by boosting your reputation.

DEAR JOYCE: How long should a person leave his or her GPA (grade point average) on a resume? - F.F.

Generally speaking, just as you omit your high school record if you are a college graduate, you delete your college grades after you've got work experience to describe.

Among exceptions: when a high GPA is bundled in a larger achievement. In a cover letter for a job, you might write: "As an example of the high performance you can expect from me in this position, I was able to maintain a 3.8 GPA while working in a very demanding job and while I was a single mother to two teenagers."

DEAR JOYCE: I've tried everything you can suggest to land a job. After nearly five months, it's become almost impossible to wake up every morning and continue the chase with full steam. Don't speculate that I'm clinically depressed - I just need a good job. How do people deal with job search burnout? - S.J.

No mystery here. All work and no play makes Jill a tired girl and Jack a weary boy. Job seekers avoid burnout by purposely adding a bit of balance to their lives. They don't feel guilty if they don't have their nose on the job trail every single waking hour. They also find things that make them laugh.

DEAR JOYCE: What's the best way to find a job in another state? And will employers pay to relocate you? - Y.R.

Forget about employers paying to relocate you unless you're the only person in America who knows how to slice bread. Extraordinary preparation and research can be accomplished online - browse "job seeker relocation."

But the best searching is still done on site. Vacation at your desired location and line up as many interviews and contacts as possible.

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