30 Jan 09 I have a document like this and so should you

See what I mean A coworker just commended me on something through an instant message (IM):

“Thanks, you saved me today with your help.”

It reminded me that I have a document for comments like this, so I added it to the “Quotes about my Performance” document I have. You should have one, too.

Why you should have this

A document like this is important for several reasons. I’ll include some ones I have, and I encourage you to add to the list in the comments:

Credibility of your accomplishments. It serves as a record of your accomplishments in someone else’s words.
Recommendations. Comments like these can be used in promotional material for yourself.
Cover letters. Specifically, reinforce a point made in a cover letter with a quote from a coworker or client about what you’ve done.
Encouragement. When you feel down or discouraged, you can refer to this list and remember that you have done something others have found valuable
References. Chances are if people have praised your work before, they might serve as references. Feel free to remind them what they’ve said if they have forgotten.

Where to find them

I’ve identified some places where you find quotes from others about you. Feel free to add to the list in the comments:

E-mail. If you have worked where you send and receive e-mail, you probably have some messages with morsels of praise within. Find those messages. I have often forwarded work messages with content like this to my personal account for this very purpose.
Performance Reviews. Chances are, if your company does performance reviews, your boss or manager has said something nice about what you’ve done, and you have a copy of it somewhere.
LinkedIn Recommendations. If you’re on LinkedIn (and you should be if you’re reading this blog- we should even be connected!), you can ask your connections for recommendations. Not only are they useful on your profile over there, but you can include them in this list.
Blog/Twitter trackbacks. If someone whose opinion you value highly has commended you in a blog post, on Twitter, or through some other form of “new media,” you can use Google Alerts and Twitter Search to find those comments.
Audio. I may be reaching a bit, but, let’s say you listen to a podcast or interview, or have been interviewed by someone else. Chances are you’re being interviewed because someone finds what you have to say important.

Start creating one

There are a few ways you can start creating a list like this:

Handwritten. Get yourself a notebook and start recording these comments in it. I used to have a page in a Franklin Planner many years ago for this. This might get time consuming, though, and you’ll have to be careful not to misplace your notebook.
Word. Create a document in Microsoft Word or other word-processing software and start adding to the list. But you’ll need to save this document somewhere and hope you’re able to keep track of it.
Online. I use Google Docs for this purpose, since I’m able to carry my Google account with me wherever I go, even if I leave an employer and have to give the computer back.
UPDATE: Jason mentions that the JibberJobber Job Journal is a great way to do this, and it’s now available in the free level.

RT @danieljohnsonjr: (via Get That Job!) I have a document like this and so should you: http://tinyurl.com/gtj-doc

Elements of a Good LinkedIn Recommendation (chrisbrogan.com)
Three Books to Check Out (chrisbrogan.com)
Open up most files with Google Docs automatically (news.cnet.com)

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Tags: Franklin Planner, Google Docs, linkedin, Performance Review, twitter, Twitter Search

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25 Sep 08 One thing every day for your career development

Image via Wikipedia

It’s almost like Jason Alba was reading my mind. Yesterday I mentioned how I’ve felt like I’ve been treading water in my job search:

I had an idea a few days ago, and my mind has been spinning since. Today I’m announcing Jibberjobber One Thing, which will help people who are interested in nurturing their careers, or even protecting their careers, and wondering what they can proactively do to salvage some idea of job security.

I’ve signed up for this. Why don’t you do the same?

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23 Sep 08 Treading Water in a Job Search

I’ve been reading a book called One Person / Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher. It’s got me thinking differently about how I see my life and career.

I have been searching for a position that combines what I do with social/new media with the business intelligence/development stuff I get paid for. I am still unsure if and how these both can be done, or if I should continue pursuing these disparately.

I have had a number of friends suggest that I pursue a career in new media marketing, because I’m great at it. My nature has not been one to take risks, and I know that has limited me from opportunities.

Image by fatniu via Flickr

I feel like I’m treading water right now. I know that I’m not passionate enough about different programming languages to spend time trying to keep up with that technology. I am more passionate about interacting with people.

What do you think? How would you recommend I continue my search? I’m open to your suggestions.

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Tags: multiple careers, self-assessment

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08 Aug 08 JobVent – Read Job Reviews and Rate Your Job

Have you ever wanted to tell folks how you really feel about your job?

Have you ever wondered what people working for a company you’re looking to join feel about it?

JobVent shares anonymous stories from people who love their jobs and from people who hate their jobs.

There are rules for posting experiences, as indicated in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page: individuals must enter enough comments to justify the ratings, and they must indicate the real city and state where they work.

If you’re thinking of applying to a particular company, it might be worthwhile to see if it is on this list and read what other employees have had to say.

Hat-tip to Kevin Dugan and Jennifer McClure for pointing this out on Twitter!

—–
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Interesting Things I’ve Read

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24 Mar 08 7 easy ways to get fired

Inc.com produced a slide show listing 7 Easy Ways to Get Fired.

Be careful, folks.

—–
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10 Nov 07 The Impetus for a Job Change?

To say I’m upset is an understatement. In this Utterz from the Road (player embedded above), I talk about a “Coaching Memo” I received today that could very well be the impetus needed for me to make a job move. Please check out http://danieljohnsonjr.com/

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12 Oct 07 Considering a job offer

Good morning, you wonderful people!

I have a decision I need to make about a job change very soon – even today. I was given a consulting-type job offer that I’m seriously considering.

So many things point to it being good; a lot of the opposites to my current position.

I’m working through concerns over whether I can really do this new job, because it’s different from what I’ve been doing. You see, in my current position, I get to be creative, and I’ve learned THAT is one of my strongest motivators.

I’m not sure that exists with this new job. But I’m considering taking it and then looking for something creative as a hobby outside of work. I mean, I already have creative hobbies outside of work, but continuing with them.

Another thing that strongly motivates me is that I can really do a good job at what I’ve been tasked to do; i.e., I want to set myself up for success in the work I do.

As I type that last sentence, it almost sounds like I’m limiting myself – maybe I am. In most of my adult life, I’ve not been one to take many risks, especially since I’m the primary breadwinner of our family.

Yet I can’t help think that this could be the Lord prompting me to “get out of the boat.”

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and comments.

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind Blog

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11 Sep 07 Add Google Alerts to your job hunting toolbelt

No, I haven’t left this blog dormant. In fact, nearly every day over the past month or so, I’ve thought about you who stop by to read. In case you are interested in where I’ve been, let me point you to this blog post: One Voice Walk 2007. I’ve spent the last month or so doing some online publicity work for that project.

Do you know about Google Alerts? They are one set of tools in your new media toolkit that can help you in your job search.

Google Alerts let you find out about new web pages on topics of interest. I have them set up for my own blog properties, my name, the names of others, and other projects, etc.

For a job search, you should set up Google Alerts for companies you are targeting. Alternatively, you could set up alerts to keep current on what’s going on in a particular career, especially if you’re looking to make a change.

You do need to have a Google account, which is free, in order to set these up.

What are some ways that you have been using Google Alerts?

If you’d like to stay in touch, you can

email danieljohnsonjr at gmail
call (206) 666-5466 and leave a voicemail
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Find out more about Hispanic Recruiting at LatPro.com.

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14 May 07 Happy Birthday JibberJobber!

I just found out from Jason Alba that tomorrow is the first birthday of JibberJobber, a career toolset used by many – including yours truly – to manage aspects of a job search and networking relationships. I have yet to delve into the unchartered territories within the tool, but I have to say that it is EXCELLENT for managing the minute details of a job search.

If you haven’t yet checked it out, click on the link on the sidebar. You certainly get a lot with a free membership; with the premium membership you naturally get more.

Update: Jason wrote a bit about the birthday on the JibberJobber Blog.

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27 Mar 07 Job Searching vs Career Management

Jason wrote a great article about changing the way we approach job searching and career management:

I frequently think about how we think of our job transitions – we are supposed to have lots of them during our career.

I’m completely intrigued by the people who have forgotten what a forced transition is like, or by those that feel totally secure in their job (or their ability to find a new job) – and their reactions to a “job search.”

I’m finding that Career Management was easier when I was looking for work. Now that I’m working, it’s harder and harder for me to stay in that mindset. I’m spending more time thinking about projects at work than my own career management.

But I try to do a little bit every day to manage my career, whether it’s setting up a lunch appointment with a friend, or use my LinkedIn URL as I comment on this and many other posts. I also maintain a portfolio blog. I also look for other ways to share what I’m learning about career management.

I don’t want to be misled into a false sense of job security. Right now work is going strong, but I still need to keep my eyes on the big picture.

What practical things do you do every day to manage your career?

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30 Jan 09 I have a document like this and so should you

Why you should have this

Where to find them

Start creating one

25 Sep 08 One thing every day for your career development

23 Sep 08 Treading Water in a Job Search

08 Aug 08 JobVent – Read Job Reviews and Rate Your Job

24 Mar 08 7 easy ways to get fired

10 Nov 07 The Impetus for a Job Change?

12 Oct 07 Considering a job offer

11 Sep 07 Add Google Alerts to your job hunting toolbelt

14 May 07 Happy Birthday JibberJobber!

27 Mar 07 Job Searching vs Career Management

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30 Jan 09 I have a document like this and so should you

Why you should have this

Where to find them

Start creating one

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25 Sep 08 One thing every day for your career development

23 Sep 08 Treading Water in a Job Search

08 Aug 08 JobVent – Read Job Reviews and Rate Your Job

24 Mar 08 7 easy ways to get fired

10 Nov 07 The Impetus for a Job Change?

12 Oct 07 Considering a job offer

11 Sep 07 Add Google Alerts to your job hunting toolbelt

14 May 07 Happy Birthday JibberJobber!

27 Mar 07 Job Searching vs Career Management

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