Kate White

During your job search, you must also be networking as much as possible, attending events, talks, lectures, and conferences where you__l meet people you can add to your contact list.

They want you to be the solution. Whoever is waiting in there for you__nterviewer, examiner, casting agent__s hoping you are the answer to their search. Our fear or self-doubt can persuade us that those waiting in the room want us to fail, but that means you carry that closed or victim energy in. People get into the negative habit of preempting the worst-case scenario as a misplaced way of protecting themselves. Try to walk in instead with an __ can be the solution to your problem_ attitude. Not arrogant, just open. The rest is out of your hands, but the positivity in itself is empowering.

When someone does a professional favor for you, send a handwritten note. You must send a written note to a mentor or sponsor when she helps you. Perhaps even a gift. And here__ a great tip from Archambeau: When you take someone__ advice, let her know it and how it worked out. So few people ever do that.

Rather than relying on a notebook, you should work with two spreadsheets on your computer; you use one to list all the companies you__e aware of in the field or fields you__e interested in and the other to list every single contact you have.

If you haven__ found your calling yet, the best thing to do is get your butt off your chair, fill your life with a wide array of unusual experiences, and allow yourself to bump into what will exhilarate you.

If you__e just had a brief conversation at an event, ask, __s it all right if I drop you a note?_ You can follow up with a question in writing. Also, periodically send your potential mentor or sponsor information that she will find insightful. When you have an accomplishment under your belt, let her know about it.

You can__ get caught up in worrying about whether everyone you work with likes you. Ultimately you want the respect of your coworkers, but you don__ need them to be your buddies.

Everyone you meet should go into a people file (organized by categories) that you keep on your computer or phone. Include a few details about the person. Selected names should be placed on your __ig-mouth_ e-mail list. It should consist of former bosses, former coworkers whom you want to stay in touch with, anyone who has mentored you, people you__e met who seem interested in your career. People on your big-mouth list then get sent an e-mail notification when you have important career news__or instance, you__e switched jobs, been promoted, or started your own business.

Smile at people, pop your head into your boss__ office regularly and say hello, and come to your first meeting with something really smart to say.

Schedule a sit-down with your direct boss and establish what she expects you to be focusing on in the first days and weeks of the job. Take written notes and determine__his is especially important__hat your deadlines are. _ Then be sure to request feedback about how you__e doing. A few weeks after you__e started, schedule another meeting with your boss. Don__ say, __m I doing okay?_ Say, ____ really enjoying my job. Are there any suggestions you__ offer?