Develop yourself into an expert – are you great at digging out hidden facts? Do you have a natural gift for socializing? Build on these strengths no matter what your job description is, and you’ll find people turning to you. And you’ll create the job you’re best suited to.
Study those whom the leaders in your company and your field rely on – Read biographies of great achievers, paying attention to how they learned to recognize opportunities. Learn from them. Make them your mentors by trying out their advice.
Join a professional association – And do more than just attend monthly meetings. Volunteer for a committee. Find out whose working style you admire, and work with that person. Take time to meet not only the invited speakers but those at your table. Use them in the best sense of the word: Ask their opinion and advice; then report back and thank them. Practice your leadership skills here, where you can’t be fired.
Make yourself visible on the job – Build relationships not just with your peers but your bosses too. Write memos that demonstrate your knowledge and your work. Volunteer for task forces or special committees. Speak up at meetings in a positive way.
Start Small – initiate informal conversation with your boss, even your boss’s boss whom you meet casually (in the elevator or parking lot); ask a question, and make comments. At the next question-answer period of a conference, stand up, introduce yourself, compliment the speaker, then ask a question or make a comment. Become a player, a real member of the team.
Make your bosses look good – Provide your bosses with what they need to thrive – new markets or products and researched ideas. Find out what they need to be successful: Learn to contribute all you can. Let your ideas flow. You won’t be disappointed.
Practice feeling confident, and self confidence will become yours – If you want to take action but feel nervous, imagine that you are the most successful and courageous person you admire and do what he or she would do. Faking courage leads to action which, in turn, builds courage.
Do the work assigned to you as well as you can – Get feedback and learn to improve.
Look around inside for leads to richer opportunities – more interesting projects, and higher ranking and better paying jobs. Meet with those who have these jobs and find out more about what they do, and if it interests you, ask what you have to do to work for them; Or, after a few years, jump over the fence and work for the other side if you’re dissatisfied. For example, switch from being a private C.P.A to IRS specialist or vice versa. In this leap, you’ll use some of the same skills you’ve already acquired, but you’ll have a new environment to explore.
Make lifelong learning your personal motto – If you’re alive, you’re not done learning. Ask your professors for advice. Send for graduate school catalogs. Apply to a variety of programs. Ask about fellowships, grants, and specialized programs. Consider night or weekend programs for pursuing your graduate studies. Don’t limit yourself to daytime programs.
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