1) Work your butt off. It might mean coming home late (yes I am all about work/life balance), but nothing pays off more than good ole fashioned hard work. Go above and beyond and life will get easier at the top.
2) Stay away from office gossip. This is huge! Remember this quote: "Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events and great minds discuss ideas. Stay clear of the drama. Really, who has time to sit around and talk about others. Spend your time becoming better at your career and raising your character.
3) Dress for the job you want. I work in a pretty casual environment, but even still, each day I try to dress for success. It sounds cliche but it does pay off. People notice the little things - how you carry yourself, how you dress, your over all confidence. This goes a long way in an office environment.
4) Leave your personal business at home. Think about it - no one cares that your husband hurt your feelings last night or that your son has a runny nose. Keep it business personal - meaning, share enough, but focus on work at work. Let your coworkers stay focused as well. Again...it goes back to staying clear of drama.
5) Be flexible. With the wonderful state of our economy you probably have noticed we are being asked to do more with less. If you can survive the storm, you will move up the ladder faster when the the dust settles and the storm blows over.
6) Toot your own horn. Arrange biweekly meetings with your boss to discuss your goals. Have an outline ready to present. If you don't promote yourself, no one else will. Don't hold back your great ideas!
7) Grab a mentor. Yes, this means putting time on the Outlook calender to meet once a month. Think of someone you want to be one day. Take them to lunch or coffee and ask them how they got to where they are. Be sure to do your homework so you are armed with solid questions.
For more check out these Interview Tips.
Happy Promo!
{copy credit: The Nest - Winter 2011}
{photo credit: The Office}
