No Brain, No Gain
The following six simple steps are cheap, painless and essential if you want to get ahead. Join Listservs and Discussion Groups
Ask colleagues what listervs they belong to. If possible, sign up for the digest version of the list, so you will receive posts in an aggregate form and can manage them more efficiently. Spend 30 minutes or so each day catching up with email, reading the lists and organising information that can help you in your job search.
Read Actively
In the IT industry, there are dozens of magazines and weeklies that offer insider information, technology trends and analysis, industry statistics, company news and briefs, announcements of changes in executive-level management, in-depth company profiles and more.
Pick one or two broad-interest publications (e.g., Wired, the Industry Standard, Business 2.0, Fast Company) and several targeted publications (e.g., Windows Developer's Journal, Java Developers Journal, Network Computing, PC World, MacWorld). You don't need to read each magazine cover to cover. Focus on what interests you and what will enhance your career. Then skim the rest.
Sign up for E-Newsletters
Cut back on endless surfing by getting relevant content delivered to your email in-box. E-newsletters from Monster.com, CNET, ZDNet, AOL, Hotwired, Netscape's In-Box Direct and others include advice, tips and news. The best part? They're concise, timely and free.
Recruit a Mentor
What better way to get support and advice than from a seasoned industry professional? You can find out about mentoring opportunities through associations, on listservs and while you're networking.
Work the Net
Hunt for news you can use on the job and in interviews. Spend time consciously looking for news pertaining to your career, the companies where you'd like to get hired and the technologies that will change how you do your job. That way, when you are being interviewed, you'll be able to talk intelligently about your skills and expertise, and also about the industry as a whole.
Socialise with a Purpose
Attend industry events, business-related happy hours and job fairs. Volunteer at an association where you can network with others in your field, and take the time to have fun while you make connections. One unusual networking resource is Fast Company's Company of Friends -- groups of individuals around the country who meet informally to discuss the issues raised in the pages of this hip business magazine.
Visit Monster's Technology Forum
