December 2004

We’d like to know what you think about e-TrueBlue: Career and how we can improve it to serve you better. Please take this quick online survey, and you'll be entered to win a free Michigan T-shirt. You can access the survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB223WLV8QN5K.

CareerPort Benefits

Negotiating salary during a job offer or asking for a raise is a sensitive but important task. The Alumni CareerPort has resources to help. In our “Salaries/Negotiation” section, you can research average wages in industries and regions and study the salary negotiation tutorial offered by our CareerPort partner Quintessential Careers. You’ll find practical tips on how and when to handle this task and make the most from your salary and benefits package discussion.

On the Job

It’s office party time! The end of the year is rife with holiday get-togethers, often on the company dime. But remember that an office holiday party is different from a regular social engagement—what you say and do can directly affect your career. MSN Careers offers some advice on how to enjoy the festivities while maintaining professional decorum:

• Dress professionally. Never wear anything too revealing. Your clothes should be in similar taste to what you wear to work.
• Mingle with people outside your immediate clique.
• Be mindful of swearing and other off-color language.
• Limit how much you drink.
• Don’t engage in excessive flirting or other office-inappropriate behavior.
  

Whether it’s your first holiday season in the working world or your 21st, office gift-giving etiquette can be confusing. That’s why etiquette consulting firm Mannersmith has created some guidelines to get you through the gift-giving season without any major gaffes:

• Check your employee handbook on office gift-giving guidelines.
• Not all clients are necessarily created equal. Consider sending cards to all your clients and gifts to VIP clients.
• Business-appropriate gifts include writing paper, silver picture frames and business card cases.
• Be aware of cultural or religious taboos before selecting a gift.
• Keep in mind that that some companies restrict their employees from accepting a gift over a certain amount.

Featured Article

2004 has been full of career ups and downs for many Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and politicians. And for each spotlight career conundrum, there’s a lesson you can apply to your life. In this month’s featured article, Alumni CareerPort partner Monster details the “Top 10 Celeb Mishaps” and how you can avoid making the same mistakes in your own professional lives. Lessons include “keep your composure” so you don’t make a fool of yourself a la Howard Dean, and “check your facts” so you don’t hurt your credibility a la Dan Rather.

Recent Postings

The Alumni CareerPort has more than 200 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.

Staff Accountant at Excell Corporation
This and other positions can be found in the Accounting/Auditing category.

Design Engineer at National Career Group
This and other positions can be found in the Engineering category.

Development Officer III at the University of Michigan
This and other positions can be found in the Community, Social Services and Nonprofit category.

This Month’s Poll