Business Career Development

The first step in establishing yourself in a business is career development. After all, until you get the job you can't succeed at the job, and getting the job means making the best first impression. In most cases, you won't know your potential employer personally; therefore it is necessary to let your resume speak for you.

First Impressions

Writing a professional cover letter and resume means presenting your strengths, minimizing your weaknesses, and clearly defining your objectives. When you articulate the skills, education, and experience you have to offer an employer, you have the ability to impress them sight unseen and improve your chances of being called for an interview and offered the opportunity to discuss why you are best suited for the position.

At the interview, dress appropriately for the environment and mind your manners. This means dressing in a suit when applying for a blue collar job may be frowned upon as much as wearing jeans when applying to work in a professional office. In either case, manners, thinking before you speak, and knowing how to 'sell' yourself will go a long way toward getting the job you want.

Career Development Beyond the Resume

Career development does not stop with finding employment. You need to know:

• How to ask for a raise
• How to get a promotion
• When is it time to change careers
• How to resign without destroying goodwill
• How to develop your leadership skills
• Defining a strategy to get what you want from your career

LoveToKnow Business is here to help you answer some of these questions and to give you the knowledge you need to enter your next career move with confidence.

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