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HITEXCHANGEMEDIA.COM Career Resolutions to Make You The speaking, blogging, reading, traveling guide to a better you. by GWEN DARLING that resolution trifecta will be impossible to attain. If you're looking to make 2012 a standout career year, add these pledges alongside getting that new gym membership: 1 2 3 Learn a new language. If you gradu- ated from college with a BS degree, it's quite possible that you escaped the foreign language requirement. This gap in your education may have seemed inconsequential at the time, but in today's global society a bilingual professional com- mands a level of respect that translates into broader opportunities and in many cases, higher compensation levels. Become a public speaker. Even at the C-Level, those four little words can strike trepidation in the hearts of many, and it is for this reason alone that it makes sense to take on this resolution. Public speaking comes in many forms—a simple presentation, a keynote speech, a job interview—and like any other skill, it takes practice. Investing in a group like Toastmasters International will yield a career ROI that will multiply many times over in both your personal and professional life, for polished speakers are seen as confi- dent, professional and successful. Start a blog. Savvy professionals understand the importance of building a personal brand, and blogging is an excellent way to show both your current and prospective employers how much you have to offer. Through a professionally-written blog, you can estab- lish yourself as an expert, expand your pro- fessional network, and quite possibly land new job opportunities. Additionally, main- taining a professional blog will enhance JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 HIT EXCHANGE Healthcare Business + Technology | 40 ULTRA-COMPETITIVE It's in 2012 that time of year again, when the well intentioned resolve to get healthier, happier and more successful. That's all well and good, but if your career path is stagnant, heading toward a dead end, or otherwise unremarkable, your Web presence and bring more cred- ibility to the work you currently do. personal question, but it's really a way to gauge the candidate's intellectual curiosity and breadth of knowledge. Even if a new opportunity is not on your wish list this year, voracious readers are better writ- ers, stronger speakers, and socially much more interesting—all desirable career- enhancing qualities. 4 Read two books a month. A favorite of interviewers, "Tell me about the last book you read" is framed as a your own? Although you likely have a fair grasp of what goes on around you, profes- sionals who take the time and interest to have meaningful conversations with colleagues about workflow, goals, and challenges will be able to offer a more developed and well-rounded point of view. This "renaissance man/woman" perspec- tive will be duly noted not only at the con- ference table, but at the interview table, as well. 5 Visit a strange land. When's the last time you spent any quality time in a department other than

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