It pays to build a positive online “brand.” Example: 77% of recruiters are using Google to pre-screen job candidates, says a 2006 ExecuNet survey. So resist the temptation to post negative comments on blogs.

For many HR pros, the clock is their biggest adversary. Finding enough time in the day to complete every necessary project can be difficult. But the old adage of “work smarter, not harder” is based on the concept of managing the minutes in your day more efficiently. Here are six tips to help you work toward that goal.

More companies are promoting from within, according to a recent survey by CareerXroads. When asked how they filled open positions in 2009, 51% of survey respondents said they filled positions with internal candidates. Just one year earlier, a mere 39% had filled full-time positions with internal transfers and promotions.

As companies and local governments look for ways to rein in costs, administrative professionals need to perform like high-earning stocks. Raising your perceived value allows you to do more than hold on to your position; it helps you accelerate your career. Here’s how to raise your personal stock price:

Only some brains can multitask, says a new study from the University of Utah. In the study, only 2.5% of the participants could talk on the phone while navigating a driving simulator. Everyone else’s performance dropped by 20% to 30%.

The last thing you need is to spend time pursuing an online degree or certificate, only to find that no one recognizes it. Before you pursue a degree program, check for accreditation on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site.

Office managers are constantly pressed for time and looking for time-management answers. The sad fact is, most timesaving “secrets” are the best practices you’ve been hearing about since the advent of paper clips. The trick is, you have to try them out to discover whether they match your work style. And then you have to stick with them to gain the benefits. Here are 9 timesaving tech tips recommended by office managers:

High performers usually focus on only a few things at a time. The more you take on, the greater the chance that you will lose effectiveness not only in getting that task done but most likely in all aspects of your life. Use these tips for saying no to keep you on track and save you time:

Save up to $250 by shipping your luggage via a carrier rather than checking it at the airport ... Focus on the most important 10% of words you speak or write, to make them more memorable ... Track your company’s competition with WatchThatPage.com, a free tool that monitors specific web pages.

Question: “Although I’m viewed positively at work, I believe my reserved demeanor is holding me back. I’m not shy, but I have trouble making small talk. In meetings, I give input whenever I’m asked, but seldom volunteer information ... Can you suggest some communication strategies for meetings and social situations?”

Got a great idea? Find the audience most likely to “buy” it, and sell the idea by touting benefits. For example, your idea for conserving paper might be music to the ears of an operations executive tasked with reducing overall waste. Sell the idea to him first, then strategize about ways to influence others.

It’s never been easier to apply for a job online, yet résumé-screening software is designed to filter out candidates who aren’t a perfect fit. So to make it into the hiring manager’s inbox, you need to know a few tricks:

You can find an abundance of golden career advice on these blogs: BrazenCareerist.com, SimplyBlog, On the Job by Anita Bruzzese and CareerDiva.

The future you want is attainable, but you’ll need a positive vision to reach it. That’s according to personal finance expert Marianna Olszewski, who has a new book called Live It, Love It, Earn It. In addition to the advice about managing finances, she offers these fun suggestions for charting your future:

Simply collecting business cards at a work-related event isn’t going to build your network. To gain the benefit of meeting new people and make your network work for you, you need to work for your network. Here’s how:

How can you increase employee health and decrease health costs? Many of America’s best companies have found that a few best practices do a remarkably good job of improving employee health and controlling health care expenses.

“Your chair is your enemy,” a recent New York Times article declared. Een if you exercise regularly, if you spend most of your time sitting, you’re still at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. That sounds like terrible news to anyone whose job requires sitting at a desk, working on a computer or spending long stretches in meetings. But you do actually have a choice.

At some point, you’ll need a referral from a supervisor or a co-worker. Referrals are an incredible way to grow your career or get offered opportunities before they become public. With a referral, you can leverage someone’s credibility, friendship and trust. Here are 5 tips on referrals you can borrow from seasoned sales professionals:

Your gut tells you to wait a day before sending an angry e-mail or to stay away from the rumor mill. That’s your intuitive intelligence, says best-selling author and UCLA psychiatrist Judith Orloff. By checking in with your intuitive coach, she says in her book Second Sight, you end up making better on-the-job decisions and navigating office politics masterfully.

When writing for a broad audience, pay attention to what’s called the “fog index,” which measures the density of your writing. Never mind how it’s calculated—a complex formula tracks things such as word lengths, sentence lengths and syllables. Test your writing by plugging a sentence or two into the text box at www.panix.com/~dhf/fog.html.

Thanks to Google’s policy of allowing employees time each week to work on pet projects, the company is forever unleashing cool services for us to try. A few Google tools to add to your arsenal:

More than half of workers believe their work status would be negatively affected if they sought treatment for a range of health problems, according to a recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association. For example, the percentage who fear the stigma of seeking treatment for alcoholism is 73%, and for depression, 62%. One way to change existing stigmas? Raise awareness.

Question: “In my company, applications for promotion are not confidential. If I apply for a position in another department, human resources will send an automatic e-mail message to my boss. The policy also says that I must let her know if another manager invites me to interview ... Should I tell my boss that I plan to apply for jobs in other departments?” — Looking for Promotion

You already know nothing is more valuable than a good first impression. What should you do if you arrived late, stuck your foot in your mouth or just weren’t feeling like your usual self during that first encounter? Should you throw in the towel and accept your fate? Absolutely not! Even though research supports the difficulty in overcoming a negative first impression, you can take action to up the odds of getting back in someone’s good graces.