Career advice -- in 10 words or less
Posted
Jul 01 2009, 07:02 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
A contest by "Shadox" at Money and Such reminds us of the "your life story in six words" contest that spawned the book of tiny memoirs called "Not Quite What I Was Planning" and Lizzie Widdicombe's subsequent clever write-up in The New Yorker (as well as a post by "Madame X" that was featured here).
Shadox challenged readers to submit career advice, expressed in a mere 10 words or less. To their credit, several bloggers came in way under the limit without sacrificing content. The winner was randomly selected.
Here are some samples, categorized somewhat by us:
Job selection:
- From Julie Bestry: "Perform no task you'd be ashamed to tell your mom."
- From "Cat": "Do something you like."
Path to success:
- From "Frugal Zeitgeist": "Who you know is as important as what you know." (She won.)
- From "Money Dieter": "Do a good job, even when nobody is looking. It builds character and discipline." (A bit over the limit, or maybe Money Dieter intended that only the first sentence count.)
- From "One Frugal Girl," that old but solid "Under-promise and over-deliver."
- From Amber: "What you do lets the world know who you are."
Path to higher pay:
- From "guinness416": "Be humble day to day, but aggressive at appraisal time."
Working well with others:
- From "Garnishments": "Focus on your own success, not on someone else's demise."
- We'll toss out: Burn few bridges. (Feel free to submit your own advice in the comments below.)
The award for shortest, if there was one, would go to Emily Lauren for "Perform." Most cynical would be a tie between "Kiss (derriere) and don't tell" from "Finance Phi" and "Always look out for yourself. No one else will" from Bill.
Related reading:
Write your own 6-word financial autobiography
Career advice: Do you -- um -- talk like this?
How not to use e-mail at work
Step up to the plate when co-workers are laid off
