A personal brand statement is a concise way to convey your professional identity, highlighting strengths and solutions you can provide. Similar to a company's mission statement, a personal brand statement can be used on a resume, personal website or trade show materials.

When you recognize a team member for a job well done, make that recognition meaningful by clearly spelling out what they did and why it mattered, make it personal for them and find out how they appreciate being appreciated, writes Karin Hurt. "Some people love public praise, while others prefer a private acknowledgment," Hurt writes.

Thinking differently is a powerful tool for leaders who want to drive growth and innovation, writes Naphtali Hoff. Adopting a growth mindset, challenging assumptions, seeking out diverse views and embracing failure as a learning opportunity are key strategies to cultivate this mindset, Hoff writes.

Being liked and respected at work can significantly enhance your job satisfaction and career advancement. Signs that you're well-liked include being invited to participate in projects and social events, while being respected often involves being asked for advice and to resolve issues, writes Michael Doolin, formerly of PwC and British Airways.

Job seekers can explore of an array job search platforms, including Dice for tech roles, FlexJobs for remote work, and Ladders for high-paying positions. Glassdoor provides company reviews and salary reports, while ZipRecruiter enhances visibility through advanced matching technology.

Despite the recent tech layoffs at Meta and Workday, there is cautious optimism about the job market for 2025. ZipRecruiter reports increased employer confidence, driven by easing inflation and stable interest rates. "Companies have been focusing very heavily on optimizing their operations and becoming as lean and efficient as possible," said Julia Pollak of ZipRecruiter. "This is a very broad, industrywide story. It's not just at big-name companies."

The origins of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can be traced to the civil rights movement, starting with President Kennedy's executive order to prevent discrimination by federal contractors. The future of DEI is still promising, says Robin Ely of Harvard Business School, if organizations look to standardized hiring processes, pay equity commitments and recruitment beyond elite schools.

Researchers from several US institutions have demonstrated that work flow music, crafted to boost work performance, effectively enhances focus and mood, leading to improved task execution. The work flow music improved reaction times and performance, suggesting that its rhythmic and tonal qualities help maintain focus on tasks by minimizing distractions.

The above study doesn't get into detail about which artists produce "work flow" music, but I know what works for me when I'm working. Classical music is too dissonant for me and pop music with vocals is too distracting. I favor piano jazz, especially the music from the early sixties -- Ray Bryant Trio, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans and Monk, of course. As the day progresses and I need a little lift in the afternoon, I turn to Mose Allison, Maluta Astake, Allen Toussaint and Abdullah Ibrahim. Check them out. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career