6 Ways to Refresh Your Life
By Lauren Lipton
Refresh Your Resume
Take on a project nobody else wants. "People say, 'We should create a Facebook page or Twitter stream for our company,' or 'We should start an internship program.' Everyone nods, but nobody does it," says Tory Johnson, chief executive officer of Women for Hire, which hosts women's career fairs nationwide. "Those are gems of opportunities to say, 'I'll take that on.'" The payoff? You'll meet people in other departments, build new skills, and showcase talents the company didn't know you had, making you less likely to be laid off when the next cutback comes.
Looking for work? Volunteer for a charity or nonprofit that relates to your career. Showcase your public relations skills, for example, by writing press releases for a local food pantry. If you're in technology, work with a group that brings computers to inner-city schools. "Look for an organization that has meaning to you but also is well known and prestigious," says Johnson. (Our Web site, LHJ.com/dogood, can match you with a cause.) The payoff? "You'll meet people who might hire you and end up with a success you can put on your resume," Johnson says. There's also the feel-good aspect of helping the less fortunate, which can boost your confidence and help you keep your own situation in perspective.
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