What do you do with the "Thank You" emails and letters from the clients? Many believe it is vanity to save these. Considering the life span of companies it is far from vanity, it is a great idea to build up a portfolio of positive feedback, ready for the next interview. How many times have we seen performance reviews turned into Bitter Pay Backs by inferior Managers, Directors and VP's often jealous of success, or popularity with clients and employees. US industry has serious problems in keeping good people, and weeding out the Dead Wood that floats to the top. Third party endorsements are a good indicator to the abilities of the future management during an interview. Written accolades from leading clients trump sour grapes any day.

The experienced workforce in any company will have known the rise, and demise of many companies before they retire. It is a fact of life that there will be many more lay-offs, and new companies emerging to meet the needs of major industries. .

In the early days of your career these accolades from respected clients can swing an interview in your favor, and in later life they build up into a Press Portfolio to show your endorsements, especially if you decide to go it alone. It is prudent to develop a file of third party endorsements, especially as many have suffered verbal retaliation from employers when leaving for a better paid job, especially with a competitor.

But ensure that these are spontaneous and originate from the client. I have seen unscrupulous people asking managers to write glowing letters and emails about them to impress their boss. This usually results in an irate phone call, and reflects badly on the team. Accolades are only valuable if they are genuine, and un solicited.

On one back wall in Linda's home office I have posted the accolades and Thank You's from several President's, Secretaries of State, Governors, Congressmen, Senators and leaders of Industry. There are many emails in the files from Pharmaceutical companies praising her teams and her work. Ask her and she will give the credit to the good people who made up her award winning teams.

Consider sharing the praise with the team, for it is together the individual gains real recognition.