Today, I’m happy to share research Cali sent me from from the 2011 Work+Life Fit™ Reality Check Survey. It illustrates that, “Work life flexibility is no longer a bright, shiny, novelty item that only a few people have.  In fact, most full-time employees have some form of work life flexibility and they are much less afraid to use it than they were five years ago.”

The following tips are directly from survey findings to help you get the most out of the work life flexibility that’s become a foundational part of the way we live and work:

Tip 1: Don’t let too much work and too little time keep you from work life flexibility, instead use that flexibility strategically to get your work done and have a life. When asked, respondents ranked “increased workload or no time for flexibility” as the top obstacle (29%) that kept them from using or improving their work life flexibility.  Looked at another way, flexibility could also be the key to managing that greater workload and having more time for the other parts of your life.  A periodic shift in hours, or working from home now and then could restore a sense of productivity and well-being.  Be creative.

Tip 2: Remember that work life flexibility comes in many forms.  It includes both day-to-day, informal ad hoc shifts in how, when and where you work, as well as formal plans that officially change your work+life fit. Even though 62% of respondents said they had some type of day-to-day, ad hoc flexibility, it’s easy to take it for granted as a given.  Use it thoughtfully and strategically to manage the way work fits into your life every day. If you are interested in more formal plan, learn ahead of time how to present a proposal that’s a win for you and the business.

Tip 3:  To make informal, day-to-day flexibility a success for you, your team and the business, make sure to communicate and coordinate with all of the key stakeholders, not just your supervisor. According to the survey, when respondents made occasional changes in how, when and where they work, they discussed those changes with:

• 79% their supervisor
• 63% their spouse, family or partner
• 52% their colleagues
• 45% those they supervise, and
• 7% no one.

You don’t need to tell your colleagues and those you supervise why you are using flexibility, but let them know how the work will get done and how they can reach you if needed.

Tip 4: Challenge any lingering fears that may be keeping you from using or improving your work life flexibility. Make sure any fear or concern is based on fact, not invalid assumptions.  The good news is that individuals are much less likely to let fear or negative perceptions keep them from using or improving their flexibility than they were in 2006:

• You might make less money:  21% in 2011 versus 45% in 2006
• You might lose your job:  16% in 2011 versus 28% in 2006
• Others will think you don’t work hard:  11% in 2011 versus 39% in 2006
• You worry that your boss would  say “no”:  13% in 2011 versus 32% in 2006

However, obviously some fears and concerns linger.  Learn about the compensation policy related to flexibility where you aren’t working less, just differently.   Understand the employment climate in your organization.  Make sure you continue to work hard, communicate and coordinate well (see Tip 3) and learn how to present a flexibility plan that’s a win-win and hard to turn down.

Tip 5: Understand that work life flexibility is more than a perk, or benefit.  It’s a strategy that your employer can use to “retain talent, manage workload and grow.”  And without it, the business will suffer particularly in the areas of health/wellness, morale and productivity.  One of the surprising findings for the 2011 Work+Life Fit Reality Check is how many respondents either think work life flexibility is a “perk or benefit” (36%) or “don’t know” what it is (14%).  Just as work life flexibility can help you strategically manage your workload and resources, it can also benefit the business in other areas.  Specifically, a majority of respondents (66%) felt that without work life flexibility health (48%), morale (41%) and productivity (36%) would suffer.

For more details and to download the study, visit Work Life Fit Tips.

You may also want to read a study addressing the issue of inevitability of work-life flex, Findings from the Flexpaths – LinkedIn study.

photo by ellajphillips

Jodi teaches readers how to re-think the basics. (When’s the last time you re-evaluated how you introduce yourself on a phone call? Do you ask the person if it is a good time to talk?) to more advanced communication skills, including how to manage in a crisis, communicate about a missed deadline or how to recover when you aren’t prepared for a presentation).

She focuses on four concepts:

Generosity – thinking about the other person before you consider your own needs and focusing on how to make that person’s life better.

Initiative – being proactive without creating work for others, thus moving your career forward by “engaging in meaningful and productive work that contributes to the greater good” (p. xxiii).

Forward Momentum – creating, nurturing and sustaining personal relationships, even when you have no specific “reason” in mind, other than to just keep in touch.

Transparency – being honest when you mess something up and admitting when you don’t know something.

In easy-to-follow case studies, she describes scenarios and outlines exactly how to respond in each situation.

As a bonus, the book includes details about how to sell yourself. I loved the section, “Different Person, Different Pitch,” where Jodi outlines how important it is to identify which of your stories will resonate with your audience members. She explains, “Just as you probably have multiple online profiles — Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter — you should also understand that different situations warrant different pitches of stories.” She walks you through how to focus on determining what elements of your story to develop and use later.

To top it off, there’s a “cheat sheet” section at the end, outlining advice from each of the sections and reminding the reader of the salient points in each chapter. What a great resource for anyone reading the book and a way to be sure it’s easy to implement Jodi’s advice!

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Great on the Job to learn “what to say, how to say it — the secrets of getting ahead.”

Visit Jodi’s site to learn how to purchase a copy from your favorite bookseller.

Different experts have different advice about book sales, selling and timing, but I’d love to have a very strong first month launch! Amazon is selling my book for around $11 – what a deal! Or, you should be able to get it at your local bookstore. Just ask and they’ll either have a copy or be able to order it for you. If you’d like to learn more about how social networking can propel your business or job hunt forward, I think my book can help. Take a look at what the community of colleagues and expert advisers thought about it!

“Social media can absolutely help you get hired — and this book has all the answers on how to make it happen.”

—Tory Johnson, CEO, Women For Hire

“This is a “must read” for anyone committed to professional success in the new era.”

—Martin Yate CPC, New York Times bestseller and author of Knock ‘em Dead Secrets & Strategies

“Social Networking for Career Success is a great beginner’s cookbook for understanding and using social media to enhance your professional life. If you don’t know where to start in the cyber-networking kitchen, read this book.”

—Eve Tahmincioglu, Author, From the Sandbox to the Corner Office and MSNBC.com Career Columnist

“Miriam Salpeter has truly composed a masterpiece in social media and personal branding, combining the power of her own vast expertise and that of the industry’s top-rated thought leaders into one of the most comprehensive online career guides I have ever read. Every page contains actionable, credible and relevant advice that you can follow immediately to both start advancing your brand and your career.”

—Chris Perry, Founder of CareerRocketeer.com

“Mastering social media is imperative for today’s job seekers. Miriam’s book is the perfect toolkit to ensure that you are maximizing your online brand and putting your best foot forward in a digital world.”

—Chris Russell, CEO, AllCountyJobs.com

“Social Networking isn’t a task we should dread doing, it’s a skill we should want to develop. Every job is temporary and we are businesses—of-one. So, developing a personal brand that allows us to promote our professional strengths on a larger scale could be the one thing that keeps us employed—both now and in the future. Miriam Salpeter’s new book is the ideal guide to help you learn to leverage social networking for your career. The resource list alone is worth the price!”

—J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of CareerHMO.com and founder of CAREEREALISM.com

If you are looking for a great resource for online tools and your career, you’ve found it!

—Jason Alba, CEO of job search organizer JibberJobber.com and author of I’m on LinkedIn—Now What???

“Social networking to land a job is nothing new, but Miriam’s book offers plenty of advice I’ve never even thought of before—and I write about this on a daily basis! Social Networking for Career Success is broken into easily digestible chunks of information that will benefit everyone from college students to experienced professionals. It’s a whole new world of job hunting out there!”

—Heather R. Huhman, Founder & President, comerecommended.com

“Miriam has assembled the ultimate go-to-guide for the modern job seeker. The advice is clear and concise, the tools easy to understand and the value undeniable. You need to read this book.”

—Mark Stelzner, Founder of JobAngels

“This is a crucial book for anybody—regardless of age, education level, industry, or function—to gain a career edge and succeed in a world where social media has become as essential as the printed resume used to be. Social Networking for Career Success shows you how to gain access to the best opportunities, before they are posted to the general public, and is a resource that you will refer to again and again.”

—Andrew Neitlich, co-Author, Guerrilla Marketing for a Bulletproof Career

“Miriam Salpeter is a true leader in the social networking world and in her book, “Social Networking for Career Success,” she shares her expert advice for social media users of all levels and career goals. This book should be on the shelf or e-reader of anyone who is serious about career success in today’s hyper-connected world. Highly recommended.”

—Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World

“Pure gold! It contains something for everyone, at any level. Consider it a must-read for anyone who wants to understand social media! Social Networking for Career Success oozes credibility with real life examples and success stories and the simple to understand, actionable steps, make it too easy NOT to do!”

—Hannah Morgan, CareerSherpa.net

“Miriam Salpeter is effervescent; she is action behind her words. Her reputation as a global careerist with profound, yet easy-to-relate-to social networking advice entices job seekers, careerists and entrepreneurs to her virtual doors to learn the social media dance. Her new book, Social Networking for Career Success exudes her charm and energy while piling up stacks of virtual career networking resources in a compact, easily digestible format.”

—Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, Master Resume Writer, Chief Career Writer and Partner of CareerTrend.net, Cofounder of the Career Collective

“Social Networking for Career Success is the most comprehensive resource I’ve seen on using all aspects of social networking in job search and career advancement. This reader-friendly guide is destined to become a bible for savvy careerists who want to integrate the most effective social tools to get ahead.”

—Katharine Hansen, associate publisher/creative director, Quintessential Careers (quintcareers.com)

“If you’ve applied for a job online and don’t know what to do next, this book is the answer. It is clear, concise and filled with actionable information sure to supercharge your job search or entrepreneurial endeavor. I defy you to do all that is written herein and not get a job or boost the branding of your enterprise.”

—Jim Stroud, www.JimStroud.com

“Social Networking for Career Success is the modern job seeker’s insider guide to job search and career management success. Miriam shares all the secrets, sites, and strategies to put anyone, including a web novice, at home in confidently navigating the otherwise complex web of social media job search to identify and win the job.”

—Laura DeCarlo, President of the global association, Career Directors International; creator of the Certified Professional in Online Job Search & Reputation Management; and author of Interviewing: The Gold Standard, Job Search Bloopers, and Interview Pocket RX.

“Miriam Salpeter is a job seeker’s best friend. Her business is helping others use social media to land their next job… and she does so beautifully! Now, there are others out there who ‘get’ social media, but can’t teach it, and even more who can teach it, but don’t have anything unique to say. Miriam is one of the only social media gurus who consistently and clearly shares a simple, yet unique, strategy for using social media to land your next gig. Read this book if you are still unsure how to really maximize your time on the various, emerging social media platforms available; I assure you, you will emerge much more knowledgeable and armed for your job search. This book is well worth the money, and highly recommended!!”

—Laura M. Labovich, Founder, Aspire! Empower! Career Strategy Group

“Social Networking for Career Success is a head above other social media resources. Miriam is a respected blogger and experienced social media pro who provides strategic insights and technical guidance. She anticipates her readers’ questions, deftly transitioning from the high view to the essential details. This is the must read guide for anyone who wants to use social networking to access new career opportunities.”

—Debra Feldman, Executive Talent Agent, JobWhiz

“Miriam has successfully used social networks to advance her personal brand. This book will show you how you can do the same!”

—Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0 and founder of Millennial Branding

“Today more than ever it’s critical to know how to navigate the digital ecosystem. This book provides readers with real world stories and advice on how to leverage social networking to find a job or simply advance their career.”

—Robyn Cobb, VP Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations

“This really—seriously!—is a must-read book for everyone, unemployed or not! Excellent, landmark book—the best I’ve read on this topic! Social media and social networks are dramatically impacting the job search/recruiting landscape for all of us, and the velocity of change is picking up. So, smart people will read and implement Miriam’s suggestions before they need to job search, because to ignore this technological revolution is to be left behind—waaaayyyy behind. And, very few of us can afford that!

—Susan P. Joyce, Editor/Publisher, Job-Hunt.org

“Social Networking for Career Success is a comprehensive, well-organized guide for any professional or job-seeker to advance his or her career. Whether you are a passive candidate or engaged in an active job search, this book will prove to be a valuable resource in managing your online presence and creating a positive brand that will attract employers.”

—Andrea Santiago, Guide to Health Careers at About.com

“We use social networking sites everyday to check-in, update our friends and share ideas with the world. But what if you need to find a job or establish a new career? Miriam’s book offers practical and strategic advice to build your online brand along with examples of people doing it right.”

—Tim Tyrell-Smith, Founder of Tim’s Strategy and author of 30 Ideas: The Ideas of Successful Job Search

“Social Networking for Career Success is basic enough for those who are clueless about social media, yet rich enough to offer social media pros information they likely don’t already know.”

—Vivian Steir Rabin and Carol Fishman Cohen, Co-authors, Back on the Career Track

“No one knows the intersection of social media and careers better than Miriam Salpeter. I am always learning something new from her, and thanks to Social Networking for Career Success, you will too! The best thing about this book is its substantial detail – by the time you’re finished, you’ll be ready to take advantage of dozens social networking strategies you didn’t even know existed.”

—Alexandra Levit, Author of New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career

“Miriam not only shows you how to efficiently and effectively use social media tools to land your dream career, she also gives you some valuable insight into how you can make it easy for employers to find you. And she does it with a little bit of humor and spunk!”

—Heather McGough, Microsoft Recruiter since 2000

I’d be thrilled if you’d order a copy! Or, tell a friend? Thanks for your support.

photo by mrjoro

I believe LinkedIn is the first social network all job seekers and entrepreneurs should use and master.

Here are links to recent posts about LinkedIn on my book’s site:

Craig Fisher, who provided some LinkedIn tips about using keywords in chapter 5, allowed me to highlight advice from one of his recent blogs about using LinkedIn.

Tim Tyrell-Smith, manager of a LinkedIn Success Story group, and Timothy Puyleart, who runs a very successful, niche LinkedIn group, offered excellent advice about the advantages and challenges of creating LinkedIn groups. Learn more in the post highlighting LinkedIn groups.

Stay tuned for more links to posts with social networking advice thanking contributors to Social Networking for Career Success. Take a look at the entire list of contributors and links to their blogs and Twitter accounts.

photo from LinkedIn Press Center

He explains his job search focus is on “working with a purpose throughout the process…there’s little room for impulse decision-making. It is about efficiency and structure.” A bonus? His background is in consumer marketing (22 years). In case you didn’t already know — finding a job is all about marketing, branding and communicating, so Tim’s experience is invaluable.

30 Ideas offers both practical advice and important reminders.

For example, we know it’s difficult to maintain a positive mindset while job hunting. We also know how invaluable it can be to face the challenge with an optimistic attitude. Tim empathetically provides numerous suggestions to help job seekers keep an upbeat focus, including:

• ideas to create an actionable strategy
• reminders to embrace some of your “free” time to recharge your batteries
• specifics to consider, even on the worst days
• tips to overcome irrational fears
• how to avoid the “out of work” stigma

In addition to these important reminders, Tim takes his readers through practical job search networking steps, offering advice about:

• how to tell your network what you want
• whom to target for networking
• how to handle networking events
• when to readjust your “pitch” — and how
• what NOT to do when you network (which could be as important as what TO do)

Tim’s book is a great resource for job seekers who need a boost and some real-life, honest-to-goodness advice to remind them they can make a difference in their job hunts. Be sure to also visit Tim’s website/blog, where he offers frequent insights for job seekers — extending the advice in the book and interacting with his readers. You may also be interested in Tim’s LinkedIn group, Tim’s Strategy – Ideas For Job Search, Career And Life, where a community of job seekers and advisors share ideas and suggestions.

Learn more about 30 Ideas on Tim’s site and order it HERE via AMAZON or HERE for Kindle.

Tim generously offered to send a copy of his book to one of my readers! Comment below with a tip for job seekers based on your experience or a question!

This issue has great advice about how to create or find meaningful work (by Julie Jansen), describes why personal branding is good for you (by Diana Jennings) and provides interview advice for return-to workers (by Carol Fishman Cohen), just to name a few. Read on to learn more about the project and consider ordering a copy!

Career Rocketeer’s goal is to bring you short, relevant and actionable advice to save you time, energy and sanity in your pursuit of your next job opportunity. Launchpad covers topics including: resume optimization, interviewing, personal branding, career search strategy, relationship building, professional networking, the use of web 2.0 search tools and much more. Contributors to Volume 3:

James Alexander, Paula Caligiuri, Carol Fishman Cohen, John Crant, Kristi Daeda, Meg Guiseppi, Jessica Holbrook, Julie Jansen, Diana Jennings, Dan Miller, Dorothy Tannahill Moran, Ford Myers, Cheryl Palmer, Chris Perry, Brent Peterson, Todd Rhoad, Steve Rothberg, Rick Saia, Miriam Salpeter and Billie Sucher

FREE GIFT: Career Rocketeer is proud to offer you a FREE, downloadable version of Launchpad: Your Career Search Strategy Guide (Volume 1). Get your free copy today!

Lindsay notes,

“Change is inevitable, progress is a choice.”

In his trademark, high-energy style, Lindsay explains how to BE progress – to choose progress. He explains the connections between how we think about what we do and doing it, and provides a blueprint for meeting this challenge. He begins the book by asking a question that I believe is relevant for job seekers – What is motivational, and are you it?

Have you thought about it? He suggests that “each of us has the need and the opportunity to be motivated every day of our lives” (p 29). He points out, “Why else would others listen to us, utilize our services, hire us, be led by us?” Right from the start, a key career message. How do you motivate others? What impact do you (or might you) have that will appeal to someone?

Lindsay explains how to think about how to move forward and offers many suggestions to help even the most unmotivated candidate shake off the stress, anxiety and general malaise that may be preventing him or her from springing forward.

One coping mechanism that I like? “#5 Find and Create Humor (p. 138). How many times have you stopped to try to find a single iota of irony or laughter in a situation. If even things are so bad, laughing at it  (or thinking of crazy ways that it could be EVEN WORSE) can sometimes provide a little relief. Can you laugh at yourself? Is there any humor there? If not, maybe creating some would help?

The author reminds his readers: “Progress does not demand perfection, only persistence” (p. 198). How perfectly true! I often remind myself that the “Perfect is the enemy of the good” – if you stay paralyzed, waiting for perfection, it’s unlikely you will ever move ahead with your plans. Similarly, progress does not need to be perfect, it just needs to be moving, which requires consistent and frequent effort on your part.

I enjoyed The Progress Challenge and am sure anyone (job seeker, salesperson, manager, leader, anyone with an eye on the future) will get a lot out of the, yes – motivational book, quotes and action plans.

Want to receive a free copy? Leave a comment about what motivates you, what is keeping you stuck – what you think about any of this! I will choose a winner at random and Dean will send you a copy of his book! (He may even send out several!)

Learn more about Dean Lindsay at his website: www.DeanLindsay.com or follow him on Twitter @DeanLindsay.

Lisa Caldas Kappasser’s new book, The Smart New Way to Get Hired – Use Emotional Intelligence and Land the Right Job, explains how, unlike your IQ, your emotional intelligence can be improved and developed – specifically to impact a chance to get a job that is a good fit.

Importantly, Kappasser makes the point that emotional intelligence (EQ – emotional quotient) helps you “make the most of your other qualities.” Some skills (page 7):

• Adapting to change
• Knowing your strengths and weaknesses
• Communicating well
• Cooperating and collaborating with others

It is not difficult to understand how important these skills are in the workplace.

With chapters  highlighting how to apply emotional intelligence for job search, self-management, social awareness, social skills and developing emotional intelligence to achieve your career goals, Kappasser offers some practical solutions and ideas for anyone interested in improving his or her standings in the EQ realm.

Win a copy of Lisa’s book! Comment below for a chance in a random drawing!

If your job hunt is stalled, I can help! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

If you are thinking of reinventing yourself – or even if you are not – the tales Alexandra shares are inspiring. The book offers story after story of people who successfully made changes in their careers and in their lives as a result of a variety of factors:

• Family requirements
• Need for independence
• Desire to pursue additional learning
• Financial aspirations
• Pursuit of a passion
• Personal or health setbacks
• Honing a talent or skill

In each category, we learn the stories of regular people (just like us!) who have made a move. Just to list a few:

• Automotive marketer to toy producer
• Accountant to wedding planner
• Wine connoisseur to thought leader promoter
• Stockbroker to pajama manufacturer
• Paralegal to advertising copywriter
• Electronic sales executive to motivational speaker

If you have read other career books, but haven’t “seen” yourself in them – this book is a refreshing change. I imagine everyone will be able to identify with some of the stories here -  via the circumstances and/or the choices described.

The personal, sometimes moving, accounts of people who took the reigns of their professional lives may inspire you, but what makes this book so special and useful is that, for each of the categories above, Alexandra includes self-reflexive questions for potential career changes to consider.  She offers specific suggestions, action steps and exercises to help careerists evaluate a fit for the change and a capacity to make it happen successfully. To top it all off – each chapter includes a resource toolkit and suggestions of useful books to read.

I’ve enjoyed all of the books I’ve reviewed by Alexandra, but I think this one is exceptional – a real home run for anyone looking for advice or information to help them move to their “next best thing.” I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself and anyone you know who could use a shot of inspiration and advice! Don’t forget to visit the book’s site for information about special offers and giveaways and plan to attend the book launch party on January 12th if you are in the Chicago area and keep an eye on Alexandra’s blog for regular career advice and information.

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No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

I’ve written about how important it is to be a good listener, and believe it is a crucial skill for job seekers and all careerists. Gary’s book starts out by asking, “Would you rather be asked for your input or told what to do?” (p. 1).

He describes how CEOs and managers can help their organizations succeed by instilling a value on listening and asking questions. He focuses on five important topics:

1. Improving vision.
2. Ensuring accountability.
3. Building unity and cooperation and creating a culture of trust.
4. Creating better decisions and getting the right answers by asking the right questions.
5. Motivate to action – asking for success.

In the book, Gary identifies and addresses such important questions as, “How can I seek clarification without being judgmental? (p. 133) and “How can suspending my beliefs inspire my coworkers and resolve conflicts?” (p. 177).

I think that anyone who wants to be a better manager or leader can learn a lot from this informative book based on interviews with nearly 100 leaders, including Fortune 500 CEOs.

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I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.