How balanced is your life? You may not be aware of it, but your actions and words do lead people to make judgment on how you live your life in seven major categories of mental, physical, family, social, financial, career, and spiritual. Make sure you spend some time in each, don't let two or three areas dominate constantly.

Your efficiency and effectiveness on job tells other people about your work habits. A casual appearance may be norm where you work but take care when you go elsewhere. A messy or too neat desk also impresses people in different ways - try to find a medium level that allows you to do your work but doesn't set up unnecessary discussion among others.

Mr. Cathcart states: "The way you conduct yourself conveys two important impressions: (1) your level of maturity and (2) your willingness to be flexible with other people. Maturity shows clearly in how people handle stress. If, at slightest provocation, you start griping or accusing or making sarcastic remarks toward other people, message is, I am not in control of myself. Flexibility deals with how you are able to adjust to people's different styles. Some people prefer a fast pace, others a slow one. Some are quite open and relationship oriented. Others are self-contained and prefer to focus on task at hand. If you can develop flexibility to adjust to these differences, then you will be perceived as a seasoned professional."

How's your attitude? Is it one of optimism or does it reside more often at other end of spectrum? That doesn't mean you have to be too cheerful or rarely display seriousness - again, think balance. Do both and several shades in between. It makes you more accessible and puts other people in a more comfortable frame of mind when around you. This also applies to your thought habits. Pay attention and make changes when you seem to be losing some effectiveness or feel a lessening of friendly overtures being directed towards you.

We'd all like to enhance our professional net worth, no matter what we are doing. The assets inherent in above items will provide a strong foundation for your career. Continually seeking to improve upon talents and skills you already possess will surely place you in a position of increased power.

(10) Don't gossip...Word will get out quickly.

(11) Allow plenty of time to learn corporate culture.

(12) Listen more...talk less. You don't learn much when you're talking.

(13) Don't be afraid to go "extra mile" for both your boss and co-workers. (It's a worthwhile investment in your future).

(14) "Be answer" to your companies needs. You would not have been hired if there were not a problem to be solved or opportunities. Find problem, fill need and "be answer."

(15) Be a team player. Always make your boss look good. Never reveal new information in a meeting...Let your boss. Don't be afraid to give credit to him or her or fellow workmates.

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J. Damian Birkel is founder of Professionals in Transition® Support Groups and author of "Career Bounce-Back!" He's been through crucible of downsizing twice, and today helps others get through crisis to reemployment. He is one of most widely quoted experts on emotional impact of unemployment, and has been featured by CNN, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and many other news outlets.

You can get entire REEMPLOYMENT TOOLBOX, which includes Birkel's book "Career Bounce-Back!", "The Career Bounce-Back! Workbook", and Birkel's workshop video "Surfing Emotional Wave of Unemployment" at www.careerbounceback.com.

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