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	Career Post

Career Track

Every other week in the Career Track column, The Post poses a question about strategies for career advancement to local experts in a variety of career fields. Check out the latest Post columns for career advice.

Previous Career Track Columns

How Who Should Say What to Whom and Why It Drives People Crazy: Career Track asked experts how to get the most out of references, how to be a good one, and how to say politely, "You're crazy if you think I'm putting my name on the line for you."

Searching for a New Job Before Leaving the Old One: Looking for a job while trying to do your best in the one you have is a tricky situation. Some experts explain how to go about it without compromising your current position.

Consider a Lateral Move: Moving laterally – from one position to one similar in status and pay in the same company or another company – is perhaps one of the most underused and misunderstood plays when it comes to long-term career advancement.

Taking Action to Overcome Distraction: Sometimes it isn't easy to stay focused on the job, but a few tips could help you. Some busy people to told The Post how they stay flexible while keeping their focus.

Grading the Employee Review Process: With a little understanding, managers and workers can make the most of evaluations by keeping in touch about job performance issues throughout the year.

Outside Activities That Work: The right kind of play adds skills that are worth showcasing. Leisure activities can lead to new work skills and a wider network.

The Best Way to Net a Job: Moving your job search to the Internet? Read Career Track's interview with Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the ultimate guidebook for job seekers worldwide, "What Color Is Your Parachute?"

When Personnel Officials Get Personal: Are you married? Does your spouse mind when you work late hours? Does married life make it hard for you to travel? In a job interview, these questions may seem downright intrusive. So how do you respond?

Downsizing Doesn't Have to Leave You Down and Out: Have you recently been caught up in a downsizing sweep? Don't despair. The Career Track column offers some moral support.

Your Friend, Your Boss, Perhaps Your Loss: Looking for a mentor? This Career Track column cautions against relying too heavily on one person to hold your network together; it could easily collapse if your friendship does.

What You Wear Tells Who You Are – and It Might Say Where You'll Go: Debating what to wear to your next interview? Get some guides from workplace fashion consultants.

When You Wish Upon a Star: Are you a member of the clean desk club? Is your e-mail box meticulously sorted – incoming items marked for priority attention? And you're still not an office superstar? Find out what it takes to outshine the rest of the office.

From a Foot in the Door to a Leg Up: This summer there will be as many as 30,000 interns in the Washington area, many of them vying for full-time jobs. Find out how to make the most of your internship.

Bracing for a Mega Merger: Are you dreading a merger? Don't fear. Even when change is imminent, it's not always as bad as it seems. Find out who in the Washington area has merger fever and how you can reduce your chance of losing your job.

The Job Seeker's Matchmaker: Find out how to use the Post 200 as a career guide and then check out the Interactive Post 200.

Making Networking Work for You: Savvy workers are always schmoozing because they know that moving up in the world often amounts to who, not what, you know.

Headhunters, for People Who Most Want to Get Ahead: While the term "headhunters" has grisly connotations, people who are in the business of matching jobs with job seekers can turn out to be lifesavers in the man-eat-man business world.

Winding Up for the Pitch: Avoid the fate of Willy Loman and master the art of the deal with tips from experts.

Selling Your Most Important Asset – You: Is your resume ready for the scanner? Prepare your resume for the "survival of the fittest."

This Is a Test: Should You Go Back to School?: Sharpen those number two pencils and go back to school as your next career move.

Offensive Co-Worker? Approach With Caution: Learn how to speak up – but with discretion.

Sizing Up the Advantages of Big Fish and Small Fry: Large corporation or mom-and-pop store? Get advice on where you belong.

Going for a Promotion? You May Be Moving Up, or Out: Does persistence pay off when trying to move up the ladder?

In Charting a Course for a Career, It's Vision That Counts: How are we supposed to map out our careers when the topography is always changing? "A plan is useless," one expert says, "but planning is essential."

Want a Higher Salary? Here's How to Raise the Issue: Time to ask for a raise? Before you go barging into the boss's office demanding more money, pick up a few tips.

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