Success in your Career

Dress for Success. That includes wearing a smile

People who dress professionally are usually also considered as dependable, smart, hardworking and leaders. Keep smiling and be supportive. However superficial it sounds, a warm smile is a powerful asset in a hectic office environment.

Renew Your Enthusiasm

Every job has de-motivating aspects. The challenge lies in how you handle those on-the-job frustrations. If you succumb to feelings of powerlessness, job burnout is a risk. A Can-Do attitude and feelings of personal power buffer you from burnout, and boost your enthusiasm for work.

Do More Than Punch The Clock

Work is hard and getting harder all the time. So punching the clock just doesn't cut anymore.

To get ahead, you've got to ask yourself the following questions:

1. How realistic are your expectations? Expect to do lots of stuff that no one else wants to do - and to do it better than they expected you to do it.

2. Do you ask for feedback? Ask your boss regularly to tell you how you're doing.

3. Are you doing your level best in your job? Don't just limit yourself to your job description. See if you can go beyond your job or function.

4. Do you dress and act for the job you have or the job you want? Build the image you want to project.

Keep An Achievement File

Fill your file with evidence of completed projects and goals. Keep track of on-going education/training programmes you've attended, as well as letters or notes of praise you receive. If your manager writes a positive comment in an e-mail or on a memo or a report, copy and file it. Keep a record of how you added value to your position and department. Why? When time comes for performance reviews, you can prompt your manager's memory about your accomplishments; or when the time comes to move to another position or company, you have a portfolio of achievements; when you're having a bad day, you have proof of all the wonderful things you've accomplished.