career advice

Managing and leading have virtually nothing to do with one another. Leading is all about creating a vision that is so compelling people will follow you without the exercise of any formal authority.

We asked three top IT execs to share the most useful piece of career advice they've ever been given. Here's what they said:

Have you been looking for a job longer than you'd care to say? Well, maybe it's time you changed up your game plan. Here are some tips to help you form a new career strategy.

Your resume is your most powerful tool when trying to market yourself to IT employers. Are you doing everything you can to effectively communicate your message to them?

Also, some advice on jump-starting a young career.

Demanding full-time jobs, often coupled with hectic family responsibilities, prevent many IT professionals from pursuing the continuing education and professional development programs they need to remain relevant in the mercurial IT industry and competitive job market. But IT professionals who don't make time to take classes, study on their own, earn certifications or pursue advanced degrees risk becoming obsolete.

When Roy Bostock, the chairman of Yahoo's board of directors, fired Carol Bartz over the phone last month, the company's cold handling of the termination was widely regarded as an example of how not to fire an executive--or any employee for that matter.