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Page 1: 200 tips for successfully landing your next job or promotion final

www.workplace-learning-solutions.com

WLS

THE REVISED TOP 200 TIPS FOR

SUCCESSFULLY LANDING YOUR

NEXT JOB OR PROMOTION

2016 Edition

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©2015 Workplace Learning Solutions LLC 1

The 2016 Edition: TOP 200 Tips for Successfully Landing Your Next Job or Promotion 2016

Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................. 2

Career Assessment and Exploration Tips ................................................................... 2

Career Assessments Summary: .............................................................................. 3

Personal Branding Tips ............................................................................................. 3

Personal Branding Summary: ................................................................................. 5

Career/Professional Development for Promotion Opportunities ............................... 5

Career/Professional Development Summary ......................................................... 6

Internet and Social Media Tips .................................................................................. 6

Internet and Social Media Summary ...................................................................... 8

Internship Success Tips ............................................................................................ 8

Internship Success Summary ................................................................................. 9

Networking Tips ...................................................................................................... 10

Networking Summary .......................................................................................... 12

References and Recommendations Tips .................................................................. 12

References and Recommendations Summary ....................................................... 13

Tips for Researching Companies ............................................................................. 13

Researching Companies Summary ....................................................................... 15

Salary and Job Offer Negotiations ........................................................................... 15

Salary and Job Offers Summary ........................................................................... 17

Work-Life Balance Tips............................................................................................ 17

Work-Life Balance Summary ................................................................................ 19

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Introduction

When you’re at that crossroad in your life where you

are ready to make a change and choose a path to

achieve self-actualization you are likely to feel a lot of

excitement and exhilaration. Yet amid all that

excitement can be confusion, fear and anxiety.

Choosing to advance your career can be a life changing

decision, but if you approach it in a haphazard way you

are likely to experience some frustration and angst at

the process.

This white paper was designed with someone like you in mind. Someone who is ambitious

and has a success plan outlined for what you want to achieve in your career. Someone like

you who sees what you do as not just a necessary evil to keep food on the table, but who

actually sees what you do as something that defines you as a person. Whether you are just

getting started, or have been climbing the ladder of success for a while, you will find benefit

in these tips. Hopefully you will also include some of them into your strategy.

Following are the TOP 200 tips that we believe you should heed in your journey to success.

Our tips are organized into 10 sections. Each section has numerous detailed tips to help you

launch your career to the next level.

Career Assessment and Exploration Tips

1. If you’re not sure what kind of career you want, use a career assessment

questionnaire to help you explore your interests.

2. Get a career coach or counselor to help you interpret the results.

3. Can’t afford a coach? There are many online assessment tools that are available

free or for a nominal cost.

4. Career assessments typically assess your personality, interests, skills, strengths,

weaknesses, abilities, learning style, temperament, and workplace values.

5. Career assessments help you better understand yourself and what you have to

offer.

6. Career assessments help you learn and communicate your value to a potential

employer.

7. Career assessment can open your eyes to something you didn’t initially consider.

8. Doing a career assessment can sometimes reveal an interest you never thought

about, but that is worth further exploration.

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9. If you choose to use free or online assessment tools, take several different ones.

10. Taking more than one assessment will give you a better overall picture of your

strengths, weaknesses, personality, interests etc.

11. Trust your gut and your own knowledge of yourself.

12. Be careful when using assessment tools. Sometimes they can get things wrong.

13. Keep in mind there is a margin of error on any assessment. If you know it to be

wrong, disregard incorrect results.

14. Do a SWOT analysis to evaluate your

strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

15. Even if you did an assessment in the past

take it again to see how you’ve changed or grown.

16. Create a work values checklist to get a

better understanding of what’s important to you.

17. Stay in exploration mode and don’t get

too excited over any one idea. It may just be a clue

towards the path you may need to take.

18. Know, and be honest with yourself about your personal limitations and/or

barriers.

19. It’s not fun to think about reasons why you may not be able to accomplish your

dreams, but it is important to be realistic when setting career goals.

20. Have fun! There is no right or wrong outcome from taking a career assessment.

Career Assessments Summary: Assessments will teach you some new things about yourself and confirm some things you

already knew. Either way you will be better informed for making this important life decision!

Personal Branding Tips

1. Be authentic. Don’t create a fake persona.

2. Your brand should always be about who you are, what you believe in and what

you are passionate about.

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3. Be confident about the advantages of your brand then be prepared to clearly

articulate them.

4. Be sure there is a fit between what you have to offer and what the employer

values.

5. Don’t leave it up to others to tout your accomplishments. Lead the charge and

acknowledge them as often as you can.

6. Only relying on others to speak up about your accomplishments could be

detrimental to your chances for advancement.

7. Staying quiet about your value can result in your contributions going unnoticed,

your value diminished, and you not being considered for promotion

opportunities.

8. Develop strong relationships with those who will speak up on your behalf. This

can be beneficial when you need someone to vouch for your abilities.

9. Know your unique characteristics, and the qualities that show your value.

10. Don’t be stingy with your knowledge. Share it freely and openly.

11. A desirable quality is the ability to teach others what you know and help them

grow.

12. Create awareness about your brand. Get on the radar screen of those you want

to know about you.

13. Dare to be different! Doing the same as everyone else will only get you what

everyone else gets.

14. Determine if what you have to offer is something that employers are looking for.

Are companies hiring for your brand?

15. Scope out your competition. Who else is doing what you do and how can you

separate from the pack?

16. First define your brand and then position it to prove you are the best at what

you do.

17. Develop your elevator pitch and practice delivering it with credibility in 90

seconds or less.

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18. Speak with confidence and believe the words you speak, and then others will be

more likely to believe you mean it!

19. You represent your brand in the way you carry yourself. Your actions, attitude

and attire tell the story about your brand.

20. Half of your story is already told before you’ve uttered a single word. Make sure

it’s the story you want to tell.

Personal Branding Summary:

Job searching is like shopping. Both you and the employer take turns being the buyer and

the seller. In the job search, you are the seller YOU as a product. Have a clear and

compelling brand so employers can see the benefits you offer. A clear and compelling

brand will give you an advantage over your competition.

Career/Professional Development Opportunities

1. Before you begin any campaign for a promotion, be sure to honestly evaluate

your work performance.

2. Take inventory of how you are perceived by your boss, co-workers and even

customers.

3. Always have a career advancement plan. An opportunity may pop up when you

least expect it.

4. When it’s time for that promotion, be ready for it, but be patient. Your best bet

is to keep your eye on the long term view.

5. Be polished and speak clearly.

6. Avoid text-speak. Use proper grammar in your professional communications.

7. Keep a career journal to help you reflect on your accomplishments.

8. Create plans and document successes and failures.

9. Keep track of your work activities to gain valuable insights for managing your

career.

10. Keep track of your accomplishments and the impact they have on the success of

your organization.

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11. Seek out additional training to

continue your education. This

will keep your skill-set relevant.

12. Take initiative by pushing

beyond your comfort zone and

taking on challenging tasks and

projects.

13. Ensure that you are a positive addition to a team by enhancing and improving

your communication skills.

14. Always work on building your relationships with other team members.

15. Know what your best career move is. Don’t just move into a position because it

seemed like the natural next step.

16. Make sure the new position fits into the your personal and professional

branding and marketing.

17. If you have a good supervisor/manager who genuinely cares about your

success, share your career goals with him/her.

18. Your success is a good look for your boss so he/she will want to see you

advance in your career.

19. Embrace change. Those who adapt well are more likely to find continued

opportunity.

20. Demonstrate commitment to your own professional development.

Career/Professional Development Summary Make sure people within your organization know when you have qualifications for other

positions. Review and apply for internal job postings, even if they’re not in your current department. Identify a gap that needs filling and sell yourself to your superiors outlining how you are the best person to fill that gap. Don’t forget to show initiative and creativity. It adds

value to the organization while positioning you well for openings.

Internet and Social Media Tips

1. All social media sites are not the same. Learn the etiquette of each site and how

it will help or hurt your efforts.

2. Use professional profiles and usernames.

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3. Stay as close to your real name as possible.

4. Always upload a picture that shows you in a tasteful and professional light.

5. When meeting individuals online, be engaging and strike up a conversation.

6. Get to know people first and don’t let your personal biases cause you to be

judgmental.

7. Use searchable keywords in your profile so that you will show up in searches.

8. Contribute information that reflects your professional interests and attracts

followers to learn more about you.

9. Build consistency. You want the images that appear on your social pages to be

consistent with what you’d like others to know about you.

10. Why network on LinkedIn?

It’s a professional social-networking site.

It works as an online resume where you can list your skills, expertise, and education.

It’s a fantastic place to find a job or to recruit.

It allows you to connect to people you already know who you can ask for

recommendations.

It features groups that allow you to network with others who share your

interests.

11. Best things about Twitter

It’s a form of blogging called micro-blogging.

It generates conversation across the globe.

You can use it to showcase your knowledge on a wide variety of topics.

You never know who will retweet your post!

12. Good to know about Facebook

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It’s possibly the most popular socializing platform.

It is not primarily used as a professional or job search platform, but is

gaining popularity with recruiters and employers.

What you do on Facebook can have an impact on your professional

career.

Be familiar with everything that is posted about you!

13. You don’t have to be on every social media platform that exists.

14. Be aware of the various social media platforms and how they are trending.

15. Create profiles on social sites that are used by employers and recruiters.

16. Create profiles on social sites that match your interests and career goals.

17. Whatever platform you use, follow people of influence and those who make

decisions within companies.

18. Interested in a particular company? Like their social pages so you can stay in the

loop of what’s going on.

19. Follow companies and their decision makers on Twitter.

20. Show your interest in a company by engaging with their posts on the various

social media platforms.

Internet and Social Media Summary Social media will work for you if you are active and relevant. Customize every

communication you send via social networks to show that you value your unique connection

with your network. Those who get the most referrals are usually the ones who spend time

networking. Social networking is a very relevant and prevalent form of networking today.

Don’t ignore it.

Internship Success Tips

1. If you plan on applying for internships, keep in mind most organizations prefer

interns who are in school.

2. Snagging and keeping a great internship will require you to keep your GPA at an

acceptable level.

3. Know your goals and what you want to gain from your internship.

4. Look for internships that will enhance your potential when you’re ready to join

the paid workforce.

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5. Keep a positive attitude. People at your job must want to work with you.

6. If you are not likeable, they most certainly will not want to keep you around.

7. Meet with your supervisor at the beginning of the internship to find out what

their expectations are for you.

8. Be knowledgeable about what you are expected to accomplish every day and/or

week.

9. Establish a bond with your supervisor. They have the power to unhook the velvet

rope to let you in, or send you back to the tail of the line.

10. Make sure to request feedback from your supervisor to make sure you are on

the right track.

11. Discuss your interests with your supervisor and ask if there are opportunities to

get involved in those areas.

12. Not all internships are paid, but a good internship can provide valuable work

experience to improve your resume.

13. Good internships provide valuable experience that could put you head and

shoulders above your competition.

14. Even as an intern, take every opportunity to learn more about the company

and/or the industry.

15. Ask questions and learn as much as you can about everything you can.

16. Don’t allow yourself to be boxed into the “intern” limits. Just because you’re an

intern doesn’t mean you’re stupid.

17. Find a mentor within the company, someone who can coach you and guide you

on the right path.

18. Be proactive about turning your internship opportunity into a career move.

19. Make sure the company is one you really want to work for.

20. Devise a plan to get your supervisor to consider making your position full time at

the end of your internship.

Internship Success Summary Go above and beyond the call of duty to show how much you’re learning and how good you

are at what you do. Whether paid or unpaid, demonstrating the right attitude toward the job

makes for easier decision making when the time comes. Keep track of your accomplishments

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and contributions so that they can be added to your resume. Before you leave your

internship, schedule an interview with your supervisor to review your performance.

Networking Tips

1. Networking is about establishing

professional relationships with people, not about

collecting business cards.

2. Tap into your professional network for

advice, recommendations and referrals.

3. Aim for a direct network of about 250

people. You will be growing your network over time so

don’t be intimidated by the number.

4. The more people who know you, the more

likely your name will be discussed when opportunities

arise.

5. When building your network, include

people in other areas of your organization. You learn more about the company

that way.

6. 1If you're a college student or new grad, you'll probably find these to be the best

kinds of network contacts:

a) Classmates

b) Alumni, especially recent grads

c) Parents

d) Parents of classmates

e) Other relatives

f) Professors, especially your advisor

g) Fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, and Greek organization alumni

h) College administrators

i) Coaches

j) Guest speakers in your classes

k) Informational interviewees

7. 2If you're an established job-seekers, you'll probably find these to be the best

kinds of network contacts:

a) Members of professional organizations

1 http://www.quintcareers.com/15_career_networking_tips.html

2 http://www.quintcareers.com/15_career_networking_tips.html

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b) Your past or present co-workers

c) Friends you're in touch with regularly

d) Old friends, such as college buddies whom you see infrequently

e) Members of your religious community

f) Peer volunteers

g) Informational interviewees

h) Your kids' friends' parents

i) Your mentor(s)

j) Business associates, such as customers, clients, vendors, and

suppliers

8. Pick your networking events carefully. Not every event or activity will get you

the results you need.

9. Join local networking groups or sign up for groups on websites like

www.meetup.com to meet other professionals with similar interests.

10. Use your network to get connected to the people who make the hiring decisions.

11. If networking intimidates you find a friend you can pair up with and attend

events together.

12. Brand and establish yourself as an expert by writing and submitting great

articles to the different groups you are in.

13. Publishing your work online makes you visible to search engines and ultimately

to potential employers.

14. Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. These are questions that

ask who, what, where, when and how.

15. Asking open-ended questions deepens the conversation and shows listeners that

you are interested in what they have to say.

16. Beware of “digital dirt”. Clean up your online image so that it does not impact

your offline activity.

17. Remember to say thank you when your connections provide leads that could

result in new job offers!

18. A great way to thank those who helped you is to pay-it-forward by helping

someone else.

19. Enhance your business card by listing your professional social media pages.

20. When you take someone’s card jot down some quick reminders about your

meeting, and then follow up within 48hours of your meeting.

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Networking Summary

Networking is one of the most important activities that job-seekers need to master to be truly successful in your job-search. Because the vast majority of job openings are never

advertised, you need to have a network of contacts that can provide support, information,

and job leads.

References and Recommendations Tips

1. References tend to cover the basics, while recommendations tend to be much

more in-depth.

2. A reference is a little

easier to obtain than a

recommendation letter,

but it still takes some

thought and investment.

3. Throughout your working

life, stop and think before

you make any decision

that will impacts someone

else.

4. When you use someone as a reference, keep them up to date with your progress

whether you get the position or not.

5. Always thank your references for their support, regardless of the outcome.

6. Recommendation letters may require a little more effort and time on the part of

your recommender.

7. A letter of recommendation should come from someone who's worked with you

relatively closely over a period of years.

8. An academic advisor and an immediate supervisor are great choices to ask for

recommendations.

9. A recommendation letter may touch on your strengths as a worker, personal

development, and even your character traits.

10. Ask for recommendations from people who have worked closely with you, who

can discuss your work habits, and reliability.

11. References who can speak positively about you are important for conveying that

you're a valuable, hard-working employee.

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12. Always have an active list of 3 – 5 references you can use.

13. Maintain a good relationship with your references and always ask permission

before you use them.

14. Select references carefully as sometimes they can be the deciding factor in you

getting or not getting the job.

15. Select people who know you professionally and who will speak highly of you in a

reference check.

16. Be strategic about your choice of people who will provide a reference for you.

Pick people who know your strengths and abilities.

17. Prepare your references so they can do the best job possible on your behalf.

18. It is OK to discuss the position you have applied for and asking references to

highlight specific skills.

19. If someone writes a recommendation letter on your behalf, check that it is OK to

reuse it in other job search activities.

20. Be honest in your interview and on all documents you provide so that your

information will match information provided by your reference.

References and Recommendations Summary

When interviewing candidates for employment, employers often request references and

letters of recommendation. Having good references can elevate a potential candidate to a top

choice candidate.

Tips for Researching Companies

1. Researching companies you are interested in is a critical component of your job

search efforts.

2. Ideally, you should begin your research into the company well before you begin

submitting applications.

3. Ask questions that will help you understand the company and how employees

really feel about working there.

4. If you are planning to relocate, research companies in the area you’re moving

to.

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5. Company research is invaluable because you gain knowledge about which

companies you really want to work for or be associated with.

6. Mare your company research purposeful, goal oriented, and targeted.

7. Company research is a discovery process to help you identify organizations that

will be a good fit for you.

8. In addition to checking for potential job openings, also try to answer these

questions:

a) What do they like to do?

b) What are they passionate about?

c) What qualities would you like them to have as an employer?

d) What qualities will be a deal-breaker?

e) How important is it for the company you work for to share your views

and values?

9. There are many places to find information about a company, not least of which is

the company’s website.

10. Google, Yahoo, and Bing are just some of the search engines you can use to

search the company online.

11. Check out the news for current events about the industry, or for stories about

the company.

12. While visiting the company’s website, check out the Company Overview, Investor Relations, and Corporate Responsibility pages.

13. Learn how the company is performing on the stock market, and about the

turnover rate. A little extra insight helps you shine above the rest.

14. Use social media. Check to see if the company is connected on Facebook,

Twitter, and LinkedIn. 15. Use LinkedIn to find people who work for the company. Try to arrange a brief

chat. Many will be happy to oblige.

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16. Check your own connections and even your shared connections for greater

access to people.

17. Use LinkedIn’s introductions function to ask a connection for an introduction to

one of their connections.

18. Schedule an informational interview with individuals within companies you are

interested in learning more about.

19. Treat the information gathering as an extension to your networking activities.

20. Be very strategic about what you will ask in the informational interview.

Remember you are the interviewer in this case.

Researching Companies Summary If you take the time to research the industries and companies you're exploring in your job

search, the payoff can be tremendous. Any job seeker, whether mid-career or recent college graduate may use this particular research tool. You'll certainly stand out from the crowd, and that will impress your interviewers. But most important, you'll learn more about whether this

industry and this company are the right place for you.

Salary and Job Offer Negotiations3

1. Myth #1: Asking for a lower salary will improve your chances of being

hired

Reality:

You know your worth, so don’t be intimidated when it comes time to ask

for more pay.

By requesting a lower salary you set yourself up for failure.

Asking for a lower salary could result in you not being considered for the

position, or, if hired, you struggling to overcome the low salary.

2. Myth #2: Negotiating the salary or other parts of the job offer Is

frowned upon

Reality:

Unless the employer clearly stated that negotiations are not allowed, approach it confidently.

As long as you’re being realistic, reasonable, and respectful of the negotiation process, go for it!

Employers generally respect candidates who voice their concerns and desires, and will strive to arrive at the best possible offer.

3. Myth #3: Accepting the first offer is the safest strategy for job-seekers

Reality:

3 http://www.quintcareers.com/work-life_balance_tips.html

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By the time the employer makes you an offer they have carefully

considered that you are the person they want to hire.

Don’t feel pressured to accept the salary offer the minute it is placed

before you.

Take some time to understand the offer before you accept.

Understanding the offer is just as critical when you are reviewing multiple

offers as it is when this is your only offer.

Don’t simply accept an offer. Always take a day or two to assimilate and

evaluate the offer before you.

4. Myth #4: Negotiating your salary in a weak economy is a bad idea

Reality:

A weak economy typically results in fewer opportunities but the

opportunities that do exist remain competitive.

Don’t assume that you have to expect less pay if you’re job-searching in

slow economic times.

5. Myth #5: Not everything in the job offer is negotiable

Reality:

What’s negotiable depends on the actual situation and what the employer

will allow.

Sometimes the employer will not allow negotiations and any attempts on

your part to negotiate are likely to result in them rescinding the offer.

Typically, salary negotiations are not allowed for lower level jobs.

Higher executive level jobs may allow for more negotiations.

6. Myth #6: Asking for the offer in writing will offend the employer

Reality:

You should always expect written notice of the offer. There are no

exceptions to that rule.

The salary offer typically comes as part of the employment contract or

job-offer letter.

When you receive a job offer during an interview or over the phone,

always ask when you should expect the offer in writing.

7. During the negotiation process,

make sure you discuss your salary

needs with professional

enthusiasm.

8. Compare earnings statistics in

your area to ensure that you have

factored cost-of-living and the

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norms for your region in your request.

9. Consider your years of experience, education, and accomplishments to help you

define your counteroffer.

10. Use data from research to determine your market value. This is critical

information you can use to justify and negotiate a better salary.

11. The harder it is to find others with your qualification, the more valuable you are

to the organization.

12. The more valuable you are to an organization, the more leverage you will have

to negotiate a better salary.

13. If you are uncomfortable with the negotiation process and decide not to

negotiate, remember that future raises are based on your starting salary.

14. If you get a promotion, your new salary may not be as attractive as that of an

external candidate.

15. Never bring up salary during the early stages of the interviewing process.

16. Be confident and earnestly seek a compensation package that meets your skill

level, years of experience and financial needs. 17. Unless you have a strong sense that you are the top candidate, always let the

employer start the salary discussion.

18. If you were underpaid in your previous position, you may not want to reveal this

information during the negotiation.

19. Be willing to walk away from negotiations or from the job offer if they truly do

not meet your needs.

20. Keep a positive attitude and don't allow the negotiation process to become

confrontational.

Salary and Job Offers Summary

Knowing salary negotiation tactics and avoiding salary negotiation landmines are key to

obtaining the job offer you deserve. What you ask for during a salary negotiation doesn’t just

influence how much you earn it also tells your future employer whether you’re good at

negotiating.

Work-Life Balance Tips

1. Work-life balance is important to most employees. Research employer policies to

ensure they are compatible with your needs.

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2. Ask people in your network who work for the company you’re considering how the company views work-life balance.

3. If you’re struggling to balance your life in your current career, you might want to

consider a career change. 4. If you need more time for yourself or your family, now may be the time to

explore careers that are less stressful and more flexible.

5. In some instances, you may simply need to find a different and less stressful role within your current career field and/or company.

6. Learn better time management strategies and build time into your schedule for personal activities.

7. Set SMART goals for yourself and set out to achieve your goals according to a

realistic time table.

8. Learn to prioritize, and be OK with using the word NO.

9. Be realistic about how much time it actually takes to complete a specific task. If

it really takes 2-hrs to do it, schedule 2-hrs!

10. Be O.K. with “putting off for tomorrow what you CAN’T do today.”

11. No matter how hard you try, you will NOT be able to fit it all in one day!

12. Set yourself up for success and let some things wait!

13. Balance looks different for each person. Define what balance looks like for you so

you’ll know what to go for.

14. Don't sweat the small stuff and get

bogged down with things that don’t have an impact on the big picture.

15. Multi-tasking does not always work.

Sometimes you just can’t focus on more than one

thing at the same time.

16. When you are working, work. When you are spending time with your family, focus solely on them.

17. Once you have turned work off,

remove any temptation to work by turning your phone and computer off.

18. No work-life balance plan is complete without making time to exercise. 15-30 minutes a

day will go a long way.

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The 2016 Edition: TOP 200 Tips for Successfully Landing Your Next Job or Promotion 2016

19. Beware of the time zappers in your life. Activities that don’t add value to your

outputs should be kept to a minimum.

20. Consider that the work-life balance you are striving for may be better defined as work-life integration.

Work-Life Balance Summary Achieving the elusive “work-life balance” can often feel like an impossible goal. Learn to pace

yourself. There will be times when you have to put in those extra hours to get a project done, or times when your personal needs must come first. Perfection is a process; not a

destination. Realize you won't always strike the right balance.

Works Cited: Katharine Hansen Ph.D., Randall. S. Hansen Ph.D. (2013). Retrieved from Quintessential

Careers: http://www.quintcareers.com