LEARN THE BUSINESS
One of the best ways to not only hang onto your new job, but to make yourself promotable into a better one is to learn about more than one area of the business. This is easier done in smaller companies, but it can be done with a little extra effort in large corporations as well. Let’s suppose you are working in the finance department but are also interested in marketing. The first step is to try to meet your coworkers. There is bound to be someone who can introduce you to someone in that department. Don’t discount the value of the secretaries and receptionists – they often have their fingers on the pulse of their departments better than their managers do.
Next, talk to them about what they do, what their department does, and what kinds of opportunities they might have for you to become involved with their work. You may be able to participate on a project that involves both your current department and the marketing department also. Or ask if marketing has a use for a part-time intern or after-hours worker.
Once you find an opportunity in the other department, as your boss about the possibility of becoming involved in it – getting assigned to the cross department project team or spending one day or half-day per week in the other department, or even one whole week per month.
Don’t try to force your boss into agreeing, but try to demonstrate how you will be more valuable to the company once you learn about the various other departments and can contribute to them.
SHARPEN YOUR COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
Never underestimate the value of good writing and presentation skills. They can carry you a long way in your career.
If you practice presentation skills, volunteer to make project or department presentations or even take a night class in public speaking.
It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get reasonably comfortable making presentations and writing, those skills could potentially save your job somewhere down the road.
BE A PROBLEM SOLVER
When on the job, always look for ways of researching then distributing valuable information offering solutions to problems, and providing ideas.
NEVER STOP UPGRADING YOUR SKILLS
Technical as well as communications skills must be constantly updated and improved in order to keep yourself marketable and promotable. If you ever start feeling like you’ve learned all you need to know to succeed in your job, a warning flag should go up – get out there and upgrade your skills before it is too late.
This could mean taking a night class (see if your employer will pay for it) or self-study course (try the library or internet for the resources), do volunteer work which challenges you in an area where your skills are weak, or volunteer for projects at work where you can learn or improve a valued skill.
FOLLOW THE UNWRITTEN RULES
Keep your eyes and ears open for clues as to how the employers are expecting you to act at your office. Follow it to a “T”. If you rub someone the wrong way, you lessen your chances of being picked for promotion.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
With so many companies going global these days, becoming comfortable in at least one language other than English can open doors of opportunity for you.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
The greater number of people who know about you and your capabilities, the better opportunity you have to get the assignments, promotions, and new jobs that you want. By volunteering with your professional association, for instance, you can demonstrate to future potential employers your skills and commitment to your field.
Don’t leave any source of contact untouched – professional associations, volunteer work, the company lunch room, your parents’ friends, your friends parents, school alumni, etc.
(Excerpts of information came from the “Dose of Reality” Series.)
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