Getting Ahead of the Game – At Work
Saturday, February 4th, 2012 4:36:10 by Syed Hassan Bokhari
Getting Ahead of the Game – At Work
If you’re not working and just sitting on the couch in your pyjama’s looking for a job, than you have come to the wrong place since we are going to be discussing how to get ahead of the grownup game, we call our careers.
Not everyone can have their dream jobs and work in the perfect environment, but the way things are going right now, having that check deposited in your bank account every month is definitely a satisfying moment knowing that at least you have got some food
on the table.
While there might not be any shortcuts to get ahead in terms of promotions and raises, there are universal techniques that should always be kept in mind if you plan on not only keeping the job you have but advancing above the rest as well.
In every office, there are always two types of people. One kind which moves up whenever the opportunity comes as they take advantage by doing the right things at the right time and the other group of people that remain where they started till the end.
Advancing in an office environment means getting noticed, that is in the right way with the perfect timing.
Going overboard might even get you labelled as the opportunist or attention seeker, which is never a good thing especially if the management is the one to notice, but playing it safe is the key to the game and sharing some of my knowledge might just give
you that extra boost to take that step and getting seen while still being undercover from those around you.
Respect
Without a doubt, the most important and list topping attributes a person must have when working and looking to get ahead is the trait of being respectful, which is very hard to find at times.
Respect does not mean being a shoe licker but a person who knows how to give respect and at the same time, demand it.
Getting your job done in a timely fashion and to the best of your abilities will definitely get you the respect you deserve but if you’re giving due respect to colleagues, under and above you, is another issue.
People, who cannot respect others around them, whether it may even be the security guard who opens your door every day, will always have a hard time advancing since word does spread and it should always be in the positive.
Always remember that there is such a thing known as karma and what goes around, certainly does at one point or another, come around.
Act Professional
Since you are not in high school anymore and might have even moved past the college/university level, knowing how to act in the environment around you is key to holding on to your job and staying ahead of the game.
When it comes to dressing, depending on the job and most workplaces do require this, looking presentable at all times is crucial to not only making a good impression but it also makes a long lasting impact on your personality and capability as well.
A man with a lower skill set wearing a suit and tie will always leave a better impression than the PhD wearing a hoodie and jeans in an interview.
Also, the language that we use at home and with our friends should stay there and when entering the office, it should transform to a whole new level, making us look like Harvard graduates coming fresh out of an English literature class, well not really,
but keep it formal and think before you speak to avoid any embarrassing moments.
Avoid Backbiting at All Costs
You might just want to erupt sometimes or another and let’s face it, we all do at certain points, but in a professional life, talking about someone in a negative manner, especially when it has to do with the higher ups can cost you your job extremely quickly,
if not that, a forever tarnished reputation with the lowest chances of advancing anywhere.
Keeping your mouth shut from blabbering on about your colleagues and how much you hate the management will only get you in trouble at some point since word of mouth is the fastest way things travel in an office environment. So being in the middle of that
should be the last thing on your mind.
Work Hard
This might be the most obvious point on the list but it still cannot be stressed enough. One thing people might not understand is you hard work and all the extra effort you put into your job will eventually get noticed, no matter what the situation of the
market is or how evil your boss might be.
When it comes to business, the management is always looking for those people that can get the job done, the fastest and in the best possible way without the need to be told twice.
Being the yes man is the best way to get ahead, unless your self-respect comes in the middle, but other than that, taking on new challenges, improving yourself in every aspect and knowing how to manage your time are the keys to prove your work in front of
the world.
Conclusion:
In the end, these might not be the only things that get you ahead, but these certainly are those aspects which are universal and practically applicable anywhere. If your still not getting what you deserve despite the continuous effort to the point your practically
breaking from the inside, than you know that it’s time to move on and look for something better.
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