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Getting Ahead At Work

Getting Ahead at Work- Post-recruitment:

Once you have been recruited and are working in your new job, it is your responsibility to drive your career. Your career should be managed as though it were a business. Implementing a few career enhancing methods through self-marketing techniques should have you up for promotion in no time. Here are a few tips to get you noticed at work:

Be pro-active. In the course of your job, always try to ask if and where you can help, as this will highlight your ability to contribute to the company. Promotions are for pro-active people, not for those that just let things happen.

Use your initiative. Look at this objectively and ask yourself what is actually needed. Make suggestions and develop new ideas – but try to keep perspective and aim to provide facts and figures to back up your idea. Offer to take charge of the suggestion, as this will speak volumes to your superiors.

Brush up on skills. Identify your skills gap- between where you are now and where you want to be- and use this to tailor any additional training. It may be worth asking if there are any training opportunities in your company. Stay aware of your progress so that you can highlight this in appraisals and any future job interviews.

Stay on the ball. Keep up to date with what’s going on around you, both in commerce and in the industry. One easy way to do this is to sign up to a few select online newsletters.

Create visibility. Volunteer for a project. Give a presentation. Develop a brochure. Make sure the company knows you are there.

Network. Both inside and outside the company. Make good contacts within each department of your company. Make an effort to learn a little about each department and how they work because when you put it all together you will have an enormous insight into how the company operates. Networking at external events can also lead to meeting influential people for further career opportunities.

Become an expert. Enhance your credentials by becoming known as an expert in the field. You can do this by writing articles or speaking about your preferred subject (make sure you are knowledgeable on that subject!) at local events. Be sure to let your superiors know. Even contribute to your company newsletter – the boss is sure to read that.

And the obvious. Arrive early, work hard, leave five minutes late. Pay attention. Respect your colleagues. Encourage team cooperation. And bringing in the doughnuts once in a while will never hurt either.

Keep track. Make sure you keep a record of your achievements in your job. Have you increased revenue, decreased costs or improved productivity? Make sure you write it down. One idea is to always keep your CV up to date. Then you will always be prepared when asking for that elusive promotion.