September 2004

CareerPort Benefits

Have you signed up for inCircle yet? If your answer is no, then what are you waiting for? inCircle is a valuable networking tool, and best of all, it's free with your membership in the Alumni Association! inCircle lets Michigan alumni connect online with friends and friends-of-friends based on shared interests, common acquaintances, professions, location and other criteria. This means you can network with your own connections plus all the Michigan alumni your friends know, too! Your network will increase exponentially. Get started today!

On the Job

If you are depressed on Sunday evenings, the time drags when you're at work, you call in sick even when you're healthy or if the quality of your work has declined and you don't care, you may be suffering from job burnout. Mary Rose Remington, author of "Career Quest, a Practical and Spiritual Guide to Finding Your Life's Passion," says that you don't have to suffer. Here are some of her tips to fight burnout:

• Take a vacation. Now that the summer rush has died down, this might be a good time to slip away. Distancing yourself from your job can help you figure out what you need to do differently.
• Schedule a discussion with your manager. Talk with her to discuss solutions and other options that might include different assignments or working occasionally from home.
• Always take a break at lunch. Even if you're just walking around the parking lot for 20 minutes, you need to get away from your job for a bit.

For more tips on controlling job burnout, visit CNN.com.

Featured Article

Everyone knows not to wear jeans or Birkenstocks to an interview. But do you pay as much attention to such etiquette when you're networking? Approaching potential contacts in an offhand way might jeopardize your chances of capitalizing on those contacts. CareerPort partner Monster.com offers up a list of the top 13 networking mistakes people make. These include:

• Being unprepared. Don't get caught off guard. Practice your pitch and answers to questions about your career goals.
• Forgetting your business card. Writing a phone number on a cocktail napkin does not a good impression make. Keep your business cards handy.
• Being passive. If someone tells you they don't have any openings, ask about the future outlook or names of others who might help.

For the rest of the mistakes and how to correct them, check out our featured article online.

Recent Postings

The Alumni CareerPort has more than 250 jobs listed right now. Below are some recently posted positions. If these aren't right for you, search the job board and you may just find your next job.

Director of Development/Major Gifts, University of Michigan
This and other positions can be found in the Community, Social Services and Nonprofit category.

Director of Gift Planning, University of Michigan
This and other positions can be found in the Community, Social Services and Nonprofit category.

Logistics Engineer at Ryder System, Inc.
This and other positions can be found in the Engineering category.

This Month's Poll

It's back-to-school time. Are you going to get an advanced degree to help your career? Tell us your thoughts in our new poll on the Alumni CareerPort.