Did you ever open up a large box of golf balls? They're quite plain, right? A big box of white, 1 ¾ inch diameter balls. The only distinguishing feature is a slightly different number stamped on its indented surface.

For those of you who saw the movie "Forrest Gump", did you think at the time that your life was like a box of chocolates ("you never know what you'll get")? Or did you think your life was far from being like a box of chocolates?

How about your work life? I can think of several times when my work life was a lot more like a box of white golf balls: boring, unchanging, and I knew what I was getting every time.

Making positive changes to my work that fit "who I am" took risk and persistence. Sometimes I received support and sometimes I didn't. Sometimes certain people cheered me on from the sidelines, and sometimes other people boo'ed or were silent. There has been feast and there has been famine.

The point is that you need to take charge of your work life and career. What kinds of things do you want to be doing? What environment do you want for your work?

Be creative. Brainstorm. Meet with people who know you well (people who can dream) to brainstorm with them. Network with people you know and with people who know the people you know. Find out what people do for a living. Begin to tell them about the kind of work you want to do. Is anyone doing something similar to what you want to do? Is anyone in a related field?

Continue to hone in on a description of what you want to do. Write these things down.

If your work life is more like a box of plain white golf balls, these are some steps to take to change those golf balls to multi-color.

Meanwhile, if someone knows where I can buy some pink golf balls, please let me know.

When I originally published this article, there was a picture next to it of three well-known name brand products. There was Tide laundry Heinz ketchup, and Pepsi cola. Even though the pictures of the ketchup and cola bottles were small, you could still easily determine their brands from the colors of the packaging and the shapes of the bottles.

The managers who manage those brands at their respective companies have worked very hard over many years to make certain that you (in the U.S. and certain parts of the world) recognize these brands and, hopefully, purchase them. Even though they appear as tiny little pictures on your screen, it’s likely that you were able to identify them very quickly because their managers have focused on getting their images into your mind for years.

Companies brand products all the time. So why not brand people?

In fact, famous people become brands: actors, professional athletes, and others define themselves using branding techniques, and then market their brand for success.

The fact is, if you don’t brand yourself, someone else will, and it probably won’t be the brand you want for yourself.

I’ve been studying personal branding for business for a while and I’m putting together a series of talks and a coaching program based on this topic.

Branding yourself is for executives, entrepreneurs, and those who aspire to be either. It will help you re-think where you have been, where you want to be, who you really are, how that fits into the marketplace, and how to market yourself for the rest of your career.<

Branding yourself helps you think of more (and better) possibilities for yourself in your career or business, while remaining true to who you really are. This is not about creating a “fake you.” It’s about digging deeper to find more business possibilities that ring true to your authenticity.

This self-branding thing can get really involved: there are a lot of steps to discovering, creating, and marketing yourself as a brand successfully. To help you out, I've created a "Brand Yourself! Coaching Program". It is a self-paced coaching program you can purchase directly from Borgeson Consulting. I'm very excited about this program! Since it is self-paced, it is very affordable - less expensive than traditional coaching by telephone, and you complete it at your own pace.

If you're looking for a great sample Information Technology Resume, you can view the one below as your reference - STOP! - Make sure you do not just blindly try to imitate the format of the resume below. Why? Because you're not that guy. You're you! And I know that your assets and individuality will be what separate you from a run of the mill resume format like the one below. That's why this article is going to get your resume into more managers hands than any one of your job market competitors. You'll also get interviews three times as fast by heeding some of the advice below. Don't believe me? You've got nothing to lose but another job interview by not following a very basic and crucial tip. I know that every IT candidate is different and so do employers, so how do you differentiate yourself from the mass competition flooding the market?

Your cover letter!

Believe it or not, your cover letter is what will get your phone ringing off the hook with job opportunity phone calls. It's what separates you from every other stiff with the same skill set. So why is the cover letter so important? It's your sales pitch to future employers. It's your 2 minute spotlight time where you can coax your employer into picking up the phone. Make them want to find out what the voice behind such a persuasive and ambitious letter sounds like. Your cover letter opens the employers ear to your skillset and capabilities within the company

Do NOT make every cover letter the same. Just don't do it. That's right I'm talking to you lazy bones. Don't write one cover letter with one detailed line about the company and a standard paragraph following your intro. Don't plan to just cut and paste your cover letter contents until your mouse clicker drops dead from exhaustion. It won't work. You've got to be personalized and fresh with every cover letter. I know writing can be difficult for some people. Especially if you plan on sending out 5 or 10 resumes a day. At the bottom of this article I've provided a link to a web site that will automatically create your cover letter for you. Don't you just love computer automation! Basically, you'll provide some details about the company you're applying to (Position, Title, Company Name, Manager Name etc.) and the service will do its thing. The link is below and again this will completely automate the cover letter writing process.

Even if you decide to manually write every cover letter, make them as unique as possible and don't forget to be as energetic as possible with your writing. The link below explains what I mean by that as well. Best of luck to you in your job hunt. I know (from much proven experience) that unlocking the power of a good cover letter will have your phone ringing off the hook, get you in that interview chair, and land you that dream job. As motivation, think of it this way. Your well thought out cover letters equal a big fat paycheck in your pocket twice a month. Go for it and make it happen today. Below is also a link to your Resume Sample and Automatic Cover Letter Writing site.

You arrive at work, ready to take on the task at hand. Your job entails helping other people. As you make your rounds, you ensure that each person has what he or she needs and is as comfortable as possible. You cater more to those that require your attention with special TLC. You must be patient and possess a certain level of understanding and compassion. Although tired, you leave work with a sense of accomplishment. You've completed the day in your life as a registered nurse. And that's just what Tamara Washington does.

Nursing School
After obtaining her bachelor of science in nursing from the Chamberlain School of Nursing (St. Louis, MO), Washington sought her first job. School had been a demanding front, but she was thrilled and triumphant at the completion of her studies and hard work.

"I was really stressed [throughout school]," she explains. "When you're done, you feel better." Freshman year at the Chamberlain School of Nursing entailed many general education classes, including art, sociology, and algebra, she says. Then there were the nursing and science core classes, including bedside manner, anatomy, and biology.

Sophomore year is when Washington was exposed to valuable hands-on training. She started her clinicals, in which she had class on the hospital floor with about six to 10 other students. She got to hand out medication to patients among other smaller tasks, with supervision. Washington explains that most universities don't give you this opportunity until at least your junior year. She felt that the Chamberlain School of Nursing gave her the chance to acquire great experience.

After Graduation
Once out of school, stresses different from schoolwork began to confront the new graduate. "Right after school, the pressure of taking care of six to seven patients [at once hit me]," she says. But she was able to get it all done in the 12-hour shifts she does three days in a row each week.

Night shifts, that is. "My sleep schedule is awful!" Washington jokingly admits. "I get to work at 7 p.m. and then work 12 hours. Nurses work, you sleep, work, sleep... and eat somewhere in between."

Washington doesn't mind this, however. She goes home and sleeps right up until she needs to go back to work and loves that she has four other days to herself. This opens her up to taking on another job if she were to choose to do so and also to return to school. She plans to begin working on her master's in nursing this fall so that she may teach one day. She explains that a master's can also enable her to become a nurse practitioner.

Job Outlook
With an increasing number of aging baby boomers, the demand for health care is expected to rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites that nursing is the largest of all heath care occupations, with 2.4 million jobs. The number of students in nursing has increased dramatically because of demand and stable employment. And it will continue to rise. In May 2004, the average salary of registered nurses was $52,330, according to the BLS.

Washington explains that working as a nurse can often be difficult . "There are many different personalities - patients, the staff, and doctors," she says. "And the whole time you're thinking, 'I need to keep this person alive.'" But it's not all negative. The reason most go into the field is because of a desire to help others. And it's most rewarding when the work a registered nurse does is acknowledged. "I love when a patient says they feel much better or when they tell me how nice I am," she says. "It sounds so simple and cliché, but it really makes you feel good."

Advice
"The start of the journey is a huge mountain. You start out at the bottom and it sounds like you'll never get through," says Washington. "Stay positive, even under stress. It can be done and it's worth it." But the general experience of her nursing school days was the greatest part. "The experience you get and the friends you make at school are all so important," she says. "The best time I ever had was undergrad."

In reality, no job is ever perfect, but there is nothing wrong with fantasizing about your ideal job. In fact, it may help you set goals for current employment and your future career. Your fantasy job can help you evaluate real jobs. Real jobs come in three forms: Survival Jobs, Bridge Jobs, and Career Jobs. All three require skills and the ability to describe your skills.

Fantasy Job
Have some fun and think about your dream job. If you could create your perfect job, what would it be? What would you be doing? Think about your skills, interests and values. Think about the location, work schedule, wages, benefits and level of responsibility you desire. What types of people do you want to associate with, and how? Consider your interests and values. Think about the physical surroundings, size of the business, management style, social atmosphere and whether it's for-profit or non-profit. To help you out, think about the questions below.

* What would you be doing on your ideal job?
* What skills are you using in your ideal job?
* For what activities and tasks are you responsible? What is your work role?
* What are your co-workers like? How about your supervisor?
* What are you wearing (jeans, suit, dress, uniform, etc.)?
* What hours are you working?
* Where is your job located?
* What words would you use to describe your dream job and work environment?

Write down your thoughts. If it helps, find a good listener who will also help you "think out loud." Describe your dream job on a blank sheet of paper.

* Do you have the skills, right now, to get your dream job?
* Is this type of work available in the area you live or where you plan to live? How do you know?
* In reality, are you currently qualified for the work you described above?
* If your answer is "No" to any of these questions, consider the most important qualities of your dream job that you might find in other types of work.

You should have plenty of stimulation to help you think through your fantasy job. Now for the reality check. What is it about your fantasy job, if anything, that you could realize or accomplish in the next three months? The next year? The next three years? The next five or ten years? Do you have a plan to get from where you are to where you REALLY want be? Understanding the three types of "real" jobs may help you.

Survival Jobs -- these jobs pay the bills. They are probably less than ideal and may not really fit your personality and interests. Sometimes you need to take a Survival Job while you continue looking for a work opportunity with more potential, or look for a job that better fits your personality and interests. Survival Jobs can be useful in other ways, too. The references you receive from Survival Jobs may determine whether you get any other kind of job! And there is nothing wrong with surviving, after all.

Bridge Jobs -- these jobs are a step in the right direction. They may be necessary for a variety of good reasons. They somehow put you closer to your ideal kind of work. The key ingredient of a Bridge Job is that it helps you become more qualified for a Career Job. For example, a Bridge Job may provide experience and the opportunity to develop key skills. Bridge Jobs are the difference between just "having a job" and "pursuing a career."

Career Jobs -- these jobs have most of what you are looking for -- and working toward. They may include opportunity for advancement, further learning and skills training, if those things are important to you. The pay is satisfactory; you are proud of what you do; you go to work each day with a big smile on your face. You are comfortable with your lifestyle and can provide for your family. Career jobs are as close to your ideal job as you may find. Career jobs will help fulfill your sense of purpose.

Many people get stuck in a survival rut because they are not aware of other options (we call this underemployment). Others do not spend enough time learning about occupations they are considering. Most people, however, get stuck because they never take time to consider what they REALLY want. Others fail to devise a plan on how to achieve their career goals. Others just fail to execute because they lacked the courage necessary to do something that is difficult in order to get something they truly desire.

Several factors may influence the kind of job you need to find right now. What real or imagined barriers do you face? How long can you afford not to work? Once again, are you qualified, now, for a career job? You may need to take a job to survive, for the time being. Or you may need to find a job where you can build your skills and responsibilities enough to enter the career of your choosing. Try not to expect too much, or certainly too little, from your next job. Learn to make the most of every opportunity.

Mark A. Sturgell, CBC, is a Certified Business Coach and Certified Career Specialist, as well as president of Performance Development Network. Mark coaches individuals to discover their hidden potential and achieve more. He helps organizations develop cultures where continuous learning and improvement, higher levels of achievement, standards of excellence and exceeding customer expectations prevail…because organizations don’t fail, people do.

I was reminded of this story by Trish, a former colleague. I hadn’t forgotten, because it was the catalyst for a new career advancement strategy I developed. In my various human resource roles I always advise my clients to consider a range of self promotion strategies to advance their career. As a result of the case study below, I developed a new strategy to take the initiative to keep their own company employee file updated by ensuring the Human Resource Department received and recorded in their employee file a précis of any new skills, qualifications or experience they had gained. This is important if they don’t want to be overlooked for promotion, considered for special projects, receive appropriate remuneration, receive a good and accurate reference, and as we will see in this “real" case study, to keep a job.

Case study

Jill completed a degree over an 8 year period. She graduated with a double major in commerce and information technology. However, she is a very private person and no one in her company knew she was studying. After graduation Jill stayed in the same job where her skills were not utilised, although she did apply for some jobs outside her company

Amalgamation and a new service direction for the company had been mooted for a year, and retrenchments seemed inevitable. Jill thought she would be retained; in fact she seemed confident and would never discuss it. Then one day the bad news came. She was being retrenched.

The decision was made by looking at the application forms and other data in the employees’ files, such as professional development courses attended, higher duties performed and attendance records, for instance. Further, Supervisors were consulted and employees were rated against new criteria. Jill was deemed to be amongst the least qualified to fit in with new organisation structure and to work with the new computer system. Trish and I questioned Jill about this unfair process. Surely appeals should be heard. We were outraged, saying “they can’t do that". But after questioning Jill further, several damming facts emerged.

When Jill told her supervisor about her qualifications the supervisor was very surprised. She reminded Jill that employee files were discussed at meetings, and employees were given the opportunity to update them. Not only did Jill miss this meeting, a memo had come around reminding employees that updating their employee file was in their best interest and Jill took no action. Now arbitrary decisions had been made and there were no appeals.

We agreed with her supervisor’s opinion that she had been given every opportunity to secure her place in the new system, but made absolutely no effort to promote herself and demonstrate that she could make a positive contribution to the “new order", as it were.

Incidentally, we asked about performance appraisals, and apparently the company didn't conduct them.

Soon after this event I undertook research amongst my contacts in Human Resource Management and discovered that although most HRM’s kept employee files updated when their employees undertook training and development provided by the company, they hadn’t given any thought the advantages an employee would gain by self promotion by keeping their own file updated.

Human Resource Managers in smaller companies did not think it was important. However HR Managers in larger companies, thought this was a good idea as the powers above occasionally called for an audit on current employees’ skills and experience and also wanted statistics from performance appraisals, based on certain criterion.

Most of my contacts agreed that it would be useful to have a comprehensive employment file when asked for references or particulars on past employees. A couple of people thought that many former employees had lied about qualifications, skills or experience, that didn’t correlate with their job description and other data in their files.

Surprisingly, 50% of the personnel from larger companies confirmed that employment files were often used when employees were being considered for a salary increase and before they would be considered for a promotion.

Jill may have had a future in the new company structure if she had been proactive and ensured her employee file was regularly updated to reflect her qualifications, professional development or any achievements, in and outside work that were relevant to her employment status.

Although the company could have practiced better human resource management by conducting regular performance appraisals, which may have uncovered Jill’s degree and other relevant information, ultimately she was solely responsible for her retrenchment by not proactively managing her career and leaving it to others to decide her future.

Iris Wood has owned and operated Pro-Active Human Resource Management for over 6 years. The company offers professional resume writing, career development and job search services. Iris is a qualified Human Resource Manager, with a post graduate degree in HRM and has over 15 years experience in Job Search, Career Development/Training and Change Management and Employment Consultancy. Services are delivered online so distance is no barrier.

Ever wondered why people trade down for a job when they are already settled in a high-profile job that pays them quite well? Many people trade down for a variety of reasons that include long-term career opportunities, change in lifestyle, job security, less stress, family reasons and so on.

Choosing to take a new job that pays less but offers advancement possibilities and a chance to learn new skills can be a tough call. However, some people view losing a bit of compensation a small price to pay when taking into consideration long-term career and lifestyle benefits.

When looking at a new job opportunity, always consider the complete compensation picture – not just the salary. Instead, look at the new job’s smaller salary package in light of the new role that it offers and other such benefits such as vacation, paid time off and other lifestyle-enhancing advantages. Here are some of the reasons that people may trade down for a job:

• Long Term Career Opportunities – In many cases, the long-term career opportunities in a new position might be better than your current one. If the new company is providing you with an opportunity to excel and if you will end up in a better financial condition over time, then it makes sense to consider trading down.

• Lifestyle – When changing jobs, most people are willing to trade compensation for a better lifestyle. For example, some people wouldn’t mind getting paid less if they could live in their preferred area. This is very important for professionals who are looking to settle down in a particular area and who are okay with taking a pay cut to do so. Having more time for family also plays a big role.

• Less Stress – Many people have started accepting jobs that pay less or offer them lower positions so they don’t have to deal with constant pressure and stress. Stress is one of the biggest factors why people leave their jobs and choose lower-profile jobs. Stress can lead to health problems and is directly related to low job satisfaction.

• Job Security – Most people leave jobs that are not very secure - and they accept jobs that may pay less, but offer greater security. If your current company is outsourcing a lot of work and is losing money, a new job at another company might have brighter long-term prospects. Most people would rather work for less money than be unemployed.

• Over 50 And Wanting ‘Less’ In Life – There are many 50+ citizens who are trading down for jobs that are less stressful, more convenient and give them more job satisfaction. Most of them say that at that age they want less in life and are happy with taking a job that pays less and keeps them happy, rather than dealing with a high-paying, high-pressure job.

If you are unhappy in your current position, or simply want more time to live the lifestyle that you want, trading down might just be the answer you’ve been looking for. It might be the best decision you’ll ever make.