Write down your achievement before your professional year comes to an end, making sure to note specific statistics and metrics, Michele Lando writes. After that, figure out goals that can help you build on those accomplishments next year. Glassdoor (12/13) These tools will help professionals stay focused Professionals can use resources such as Trello, Asana and Basecamp to organize projects and track progress, writes Lori Hil. Meanwhile, time-tracking apps can help professionals prioritize their tasks and stay on pace to finish projects by their respective deadlines. Forbes (12/13)
Making the Connection
Be direct when inquiring about a job Get right to the point when contacting someone in the hopes of landing a job, writes Jenny Foss. Specifically state what you're looking for, and close the message with an offer to reciprocate when needed. The Muse (12/12)
The Landscape
Survey: Workers want employers to push them to save for retirement A survey by American Century Investments found that 8 in 10 employees would like their employers to give them at least a "slight nudge" toward saving for retirement. The survey also found that 75% of workers support automatic enrollment in retirement plans at 6% of salary, while most pre-retirees and younger workers said they would take a 3% match of retirement-plan contributions over a 3% pay increase. PlanAdviser online (12/12)
If you were fired from a previous job, avoid blaming a former manager and instead describe how you've learned from the experience. End your explanation by emphasizing your skills and positive qualities, writes Hallie Crawford. U.S. News & World Report (12/13)
The Water Cooler
2,000-year-old mummy diagnosed with cancer The mummified remains of a man who lived about 2,000 years ago received a full CT scan at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. The scan helped doctors determine the man died of cancer, having had a malignant tumor on his fibula. BGR (12/11)
Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.
