Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Promote Career Success



Spring is coming. Don't be fooled by thinking career success will automatically happen without input on your part. Career success needs to be cultivated and attended to daily. Here are some things to do every day to make sure you are promoting career success:

  • Plan for your advancement by writing down your goals.
  • Maintain a positive attitude.
  • Do something every day to add value to your company. This can be as simple as doing the best job you can do each day.
  • Do more than required.
  • Look for solutions to problems.
  • Maintain a professional demeanor.
  • Be a results-oriented employee.
  • Make yourself valuable to your boss.
  • Hone your leadership skills.
  • Ask your boss to evaluate your work and provide feedback.
  • Ask if there is anything else you can do be valuable to your boss.
  • Steer clear of gossips and troublemakers.
  • Get along with everyone in the workplace.
By maintaining a "success" mindset, you can steer your career in the right direction. What steps have you taken to ensure your career success?

Monday, March 3, 2014

Choose a Mentor Who Will Help You Succeed in Your Career



If possible, find a mentor who is willing to teach you what you need to know and do in order to attain your goal(s). This mentor should be someone who has the character traits you admire and who is in a position you aspire to hold or is doing what you hope to do. He or she should give you straightforward information and honest, positive critiques. You don’t want someone who says, “Yes, you are wonderful,” without providing proper guidance and criticism that will mold you into the person you hope to be.

How do you find a mentor? 
  • Network, network, network. You have to put yourself out there and ask for help. Most people are willing to help others
  • Join groups and seek successful members.
  • Observe others in the workplace. Who would be the best person from which to learn?
  •  Take a class, get a tutor, or hire a coach.

Your mentor should be an expert in the area in which you want to learn. In addition, he/she should be able to teach; that is, get information across in an easy-to-understand way. Some people are experts in their fields, but they cannot convey information to others clearly.

Modeling successful people who have achieved what you want provides a readymade road map to reach your goals.