Setting long-term goals and creating a plan for achieving them are important for career growth, but small changes to your daily routine can have a big impact on your professional prospects, too. Following simple ways that you can’t overlook
Actively participating in office discussions demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest in the company. Before you attend meetings, review the agenda and prepare a few points of interest on the topics to be addressed. While you don't want to talk to hear yourself speak, do not hesitate to share your ideas when you have something valuable to add.
Did you know that where you sit in a meeting can determine if you get an assignment? Choosing a seat near the meeting leader signals your support and helps ensure you're seen and heard. And by placing yourself at the center of the action, you're likely to participate more.
You may have heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." But in the office, it often comes down to who knows you. E-mailing a weekly status report to your boss detailing major accomplishments or volunteering to present your group's milestones at a meeting are easy ways to increase your visibility.
Another way to raise your profile is to assist colleagues with their workloads or take on tasks outside your job description. You might, for example, volunteer to serve as a trainer during new-hire orientations, lead the internship program or help organize the company's annual team-building event. These types of duties may not seem glamorous, but they're often near and dear to executives' hearts, and they force you to move out of your comfort zone.
When someone compliments you for doing a good job, how do you react? If you typically shrug it off and say, "It was nothing," you may be leaving the door open for someone else to steal your thunder. Try instead, "Thank you. I'm glad the hard work paid off," or "Thanks. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, too." Just be careful about accepting credit that's not yours because it's a sure-fire way to create tension and animosity among your teammates.
The business lunch is becoming increasingly common, so it's in your best interest to learn proper dining manners. Being rude to wait staff or arriving late. Ordering the messy foods constantly checking your cell phone or broaching business matters before orders are placed can also be a recipe for disaster.
Conferences and industry events are great opportunities to network, and there are a few tricks to help you make good first impressions. For example, wearing your name tag on the right side, near your shoulder, makes it easier for others to see and remember your name as they shake your hand. Using the back of people's business cards to write information about them, such as their interests, also will help jog your memory after the event and provide motive to follow up.
If someone recently helped you, perhaps your neighbor alerted you to an employment opportunity or a friend proofread your resume, let the person know you appreciate the support. Take a few moments to write a short, sincere thank-you note.
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