How to succeed in your career

Before asking for a pay rise it is important that you should feel certain that you are deserving of one! Obviously there is always inflation to fall back on, but why else should you feel that you should be paid more? Are you earning less than colleagues doing equivalent work? Have you been there longer and therefore offer greater experience than peers? Have you acquired additional qualifications or skills? Have you taken on further responsibilities? Ensure that you have a clear argument ready to justify an increase and pick your moment! There is little sense in grabbing your boss when in the middle of a crisis or keen to dash off. Wait until s/he is in good humour, perhaps having just returned from holiday or having just won a big account and ask to have a private word. Do not just blurt out "I want a pay rise!" in front of everyone. Explain your reasons calmly and quietly, providing evidence of your contributions above and beyond the call of duty where possible or perhaps details of comparable positions currently being advertised. If a payrise is not forthcoming, you may threaten to leave, but you have to be prepared to actually do so.

Most people are promoted to a position which they already fill! Make sure that you have shown initiative and voluntarily taken on additional responsibilities with time. Make sure that you have had an eye on the competences and skills required at the next level and that you have asked for (or paid for your own) training for this, especially shortage skills. In addition, quietly ensure that superiors know you have done this and that you are keen for additional challenges (but do not go around blowing your own trumpet and claiming the success of others as yours!)

Manipulative it may be, but look for the person in the position of power (not necessarily the boss!). Befriend this person and become indispensable to him or her. It may be that you rise on his or her coat tails, or you may simply make yourself the most obvious and visible choice when a promotion opportunity arises.

What constitutes a better job for you? It may be simply a promotion with greater responsibility, challenge and pay, but it may equally be a better matched organisation (perhaps you would favour a smaller organisation where you might be a bigger fish, or maybe you feel that you need greater belief in the cause which you are promoting), or a better matched role (perhaps you have been a consultant and now feel that you are better suited to management), or even a change of direction employing transferable skills, or perhaps a downshift for greater quality of life!?

You need to decide what you have to offer in terms of strengths, experience, achievements and personality, and to consider values and motivation (leisure activities inform this self-assessment too); make a list and apply for positions which are a good match. The job specification outlines what the employer is seeking in terms of skills and experience so your CV and application need to be tailored to clearly demonstrate these. You are marketing yourself, so think in marketing terms! What are your features and benefits; what have you done and what were the beneficial results (quantify where possible); what successes, awards or promotions have you had and what difference have you made to date? Knowing why that position is right for you will also enable you to sell yourself more effectively at interview.

Most successful people share two things, a positive outlook and great charm. Knowing your strengths and what you represent as a human resource should boost confidence and positivity, but you need to work on your softer people skills too. You need to work with emotional intelligence if you are to win friends and influence people effectively.

Successful people know where they are going and they are able to build positive relationships with people who might help them on their journey. If they don't know, they 'know a man who does' and they will have made sure that person is on their team and keen to assist rather than obstruct. They treat others with respect and demonstrate true empathy; they have charisma.

For tips, refer to my lens 'Dealing with Office Politics and Building Positive Relationships' below. See also my lens 'Classic Personal Development Titles and Resources' for help with the positive thinking.

How To Succeed At Work And In Career

1. Don't talk negatively about people behind their backs. If you gossip, people won't confide in you. Mind your own business.

2. Try to work for someone who'll challenge your powers.You'll learn more in a year than 4 years of college.

3. Successful bosses have good communication skills. They learn from people, including their employees.

4. Work in such a way that makes your boss look good. It's not flattery.

5. On downsizing, the first to go are those with few friends. Bosses prefer competent people whom they respect.

6. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Let your dress reflect professionalism.

7. Workout to get in good physical shape. Unless exceptionally skilled, the unhealthy are at a comparative disadvantage.

8. Personal integrity is crucial. Tell nothing but the truth. Bosses can forgive mistakes but if you lie, you're gone.

9. Be on time. Try to arrive few minutes early. It saves you from stress. You'll be much relaxed & work better.
10. Strive your best to keep a deadline. If you cannot meet it, then apologize & ask for an extension

11. Don't take things personally. If some people are unhappy with you, it's their problem. But always strive to give your best.

12. If you must correct someone,don't get personal about it. Do it never in front of others.

13. Spend some time alone everyday. What's the mission of my life? What do I want to be? And how to go about it.

14. As you move along Plan A of your career,maintain a Plan B as well - an alternative course to rely

15. Always remember that the secret of success is passion. Always think big. Spread love & joy. You'll have blissful years ahead

Have you come across Career Jimmy's tips for landing that job?

Click Here for information.

... Revised Company Exercise Programme

The company has discontinued all physical fitness programs since everyone gets enough exercise by:-

jumping to conclusions,
flying off the handle,
beating around the bush,
running down the boss,
going around in circles,
dragging their feet,
dodging responsibility,
passing the buck,
climbing the ladder,
wading through paperwork,
pulling strings,
shooting the breeze,
throwing their weight around,
stretching the truth,
bending the rules,
pushing their luck,
shuffling papers,
and playing hide and seek.

Ten great reasons to go to work naked

10. No-one ever steals your chair.
9. Gives "bad hair day" a whole new meaning.
8. Diverts attention from the fact that you also came to work drunk.
7. People stop stealing your pens after they've seen where you keep them.
6. You want to see if it's like the dream.
5. To stop those creepy programmer guys from looking down your blouse.
4. "I'd love to chip in... but I left my wallet in my pants."
3. It's an inventive way to finally meet that 'special' person in Human Resources.
2. You can take advantage of your computer monitor radiation to work on your tan.
1. Your boss will never say, "I wanna see your ass in here by 8:00!" ever again.

Ten best things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk

10."They told me at the blood bank this might happen."
9."This is just a 15 minute power nap like they raved about in that time management course you sent me to."
8. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the white out. You probably got here just in time."
7. "I wasn't sleeping, I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm."
6. "I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance."
5. "I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work-related stress. Do you discriminate against people who practice Yoga?"
4. "Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem."
3. "The coffee machine is broken."
2. "Someone must have put decaf in the wrong pot."
1. " ... in God's name, Amen."