If you're currently employed, chances are, your employer has some tools or programs available to help you advance your career. I'm always surprised by how few people make use of them. But not only that, I think we often overlook some tools almost all employees have at their disposal to help them on their career journey.

These 7 tools may not be what you typically think of as career development tools, but in my experience, they can be invaluable.

Do you get home from work feeling content or dissatisfied? Is your career fulfilling or are you bored with what you’re doing? If you aren’t getting what you want out of your career, it might be time for a change. Whether you are looking at a career change out of necessity, or because you want to try something else entirely, the key to making the transition successful is having a detailed plan. Switching careers can be a really stressful experience. However, proper preparation can ensure that your career shift is prosperous and uncomplicated.

Research and Reflect Career Options:

Despite the fact that the Great Recession is already being referred to in the past tense, unemployment and underemployment are still high. Many Americans know, firsthand, the challenges of long-term unemployment and underemployment and the increased pressure to do more with less at work. As these work-related stresses continue, we all should be looking for ways to stave off the risks for depression, anxiety, and cynicism. One possibility for combating the negative effects of a difficult job market is by volunteering to help those less fortunate. Volunteering not only helps and motivates those you serve, but has the same positive effect on you, the volunteer.

Did you turn your clock back this past weekend, embracing the opportunity for an extra hour of sleep? If so, you are not alone.

After countless mass downsizings, there are many people who are beyond busy -- and squeezing more hours from the workday by increasing their waking hours. While skipping a full night’s sleep might increase your available hours to, ostensibly, make you more productive in the short term, you might be damaging your productivity - and your health - in the long term.

Last week I had an interesting conversation with an acquaintance. She is very close to retirement age and is sincerely hoping to be offered an early-retirement buyout the next time her company downsizes. Her problem – if you can call it a problem in this difficult employment reality – is that she is in a critical role, has a unique skill set, and is a consistently reliable performer. Her employer needs her. This is a very enviable problem to have – to be bulletproof in your job.

Do you remember a time, not too long ago, when all résumés ended with the obligatory line “references available upon request”? In today’s reality, where information about individuals is available with a mouse click, the phrase almost seems naive and contrived.

We can either thank or condemn (or both) the internet for giving us access to unfiltered opinions about individuals’ performance as more people and professions are being rated and ranked on these open sites. Welcome to the reputation economy!

I was once told a story by a friend and very well known psychologist from Stanford. He was driving from his home in San Francisco to teach in Palo Alto. He picked up a hitchhiker as he got on the highway and began his 45 minute journey. The young man was pleasant and my friend started a conversation by simply asking where his new passenger was going? The guy was brief and said, “South.” That answer stood for a minute or two when my colleague asked the same question only to get the exact same reply.

If you are currently living in the Northern Hemisphere, it is summertime. The thermometer is higher along with your kids' energy level and number of reruns on television.

Another signal of summertime - a greater number of people taking vacations from work.

Over the past few months, my husband and I have had several family members and friends at our lake house who were doing just that -- taking a vacation from their jobs. (We continue to be honored that they spend their precious few vacations days with us.)

As you check off the necessities on your interview preparation list - conservative business attire, research on the company, breath mints, turning your phone on silent, etc. - you should also think about the nontraditional issues that may arise during your interview. Nontraditional elements in an interview? Yes. Lately, companies are turning the conversation to taboo topics to see if you have what it takes to work under pressure. The restrictive economy means more than just less jobs, it means filling the rare empty spaces with candidates that are capable of handling the other stressors that the down economy brings. Competition is fierce in today's market, and interviewers want to be certain that their ideal candidates bring a bit of diplomatic spunk to the table.