David Lowe’s Weblog

Online Career Enhancement Resources

July 20th, 2008

I pull a list like this together from time to time in order to remind me of the resources I have used and others might find helpful. With web 2.0 technologies, there are a number of excellent options out there. To take advantage of them, you will need the following in addition to a computer with a browser:

• iTunes: Apple has made listening and sharing audio properties ubiquitous, and there are some great podcasts out there. To take advantage of the free podcasts out there, you just need iTunes. You do not need an iPod unless you plan to take the podcasts with you on the road.
• RSS Reader: There are a number of great resources out there that come in the form of blog. RSS readers are pretty prevalent these days, and you can use the one that comes with IE, Firefox, or via Google. Personally, I prefer thick client and use NewsGator; however, I have used Google Reader and think it is great.

Here are the resources I have found helpful and review them regularly, at least once a week.

• Career Opportunities (http://welchwrite.com/career/): Great podcasts with transcripts posted via RSS. Doug Welch has shared a number of career insights, and I have enjoyed listening to him every week.
• Manager Tools (http://www.manager-tools.com/): Unmatched podcasts on all aspects of career management. The podcast series, for the most part, targets towards managers or supervisors but they have a number of podcasts that are still useful even if you don’t supervise anyone. The podcasts are all about practicing the techniques of being a top notch professional, in any field. Registration is free and highly recommended since you will also get the extra monthly member-only podcasts.
• The Executive Update (http://blog.netshare.com/): A number of insightful blogs from Kathy Simmons of NETSHARE, Inc. The services of NETSHARE cost money but the blogs are free. The target audience is mainly the “executives,” and that is applicable to all of us. Each one of us is the CEO and chief executive of “Me, Inc.”
• Leading News (http://www.leadingnews.org/): This site has a solid monthly newsletter and TeleForum with Marshall Goldsmith frequently as a guest speaker in the TeleForum. Marshall Goldsmith also has his own blog (http://www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com/blog), and I enjoy reading it every time there is a new posting. At the minimum, subscribe the newsletter and find time to attend the TeleForum everyone once a while.
• Job Boards (Yahoo! HotJobs and Monster): For decent career related articles and writing, I think HotJobs and Monster have a very good collection. Sign up for their career related newsletter and check worth-a-while article regularly.

Feel free to chat with me if you have any questions. All aforementioned people have donated their time and shared very valuable insights via the technologies. To me, they are all top notch professionals and a class act by any measure.

Entry Filed under: Career