In the midst of what is the biggest economic crisis in our lifetime, many of us are worried about job security
It would actually be more constructive for us to be thinking about positioning ourselves for promotion. After all, as there are fewer employees in an organization, those who survive the downsizing often have increased opportunities to move up. Here is how you can be poised for success when those opportunities arise.
1. Be sure you understand the criteria which is used to evaluate you and the expectations of the decision makers in your organization.
2. Do everything you can to ensure the success of your boss. And, share the credit for your successes with him/her.
3. Establish yourself as the "go to" person when there is a problem or difficult project. Be the one most likely to offer good solutions to tough problems.
4. Be reliable. Be on time. Complete assignments ahead of schedule. Be low maintenance.
5. Do not just accept challenges; seek them out.
6. Be cheerful and positive, especially in times of crisis. Offer your ideas in a constructive way, without overt or implied criticism of others.
7. Learn to accept praise modestly and to share the credit for your successes with others. Even more important; learn to accept and react to criticism without anger or resentment.
8. What skills does your organization need that your colleagues do not have? Developing them will show initiative and greatly increase your value.
9. Do not neglect to take the time to organize yourself. Good organizational skills are always noted and valued. And, the higher up the employment pyramid you go, the more important it is to be well organized.
10. Assist your co-workers whenever possible. And, work hard to develop and maintain good professional relationships.
You never know when that next opportunity to move up the career ladder will come or whether it will be in your current workplace or somewhere else. But, by taking the steps above, you can put yourself in a great position to be a serious candidate.
It would actually be more constructive for us to be thinking about positioning ourselves for promotion. After all, as there are fewer employees in an organization, those who survive the downsizing often have increased opportunities to move up. Here is how you can be poised for success when those opportunities arise.
1. Be sure you understand the criteria which is used to evaluate you and the expectations of the decision makers in your organization.
2. Do everything you can to ensure the success of your boss. And, share the credit for your successes with him/her.
3. Establish yourself as the "go to" person when there is a problem or difficult project. Be the one most likely to offer good solutions to tough problems.
4. Be reliable. Be on time. Complete assignments ahead of schedule. Be low maintenance.
5. Do not just accept challenges; seek them out.
6. Be cheerful and positive, especially in times of crisis. Offer your ideas in a constructive way, without overt or implied criticism of others.
7. Learn to accept praise modestly and to share the credit for your successes with others. Even more important; learn to accept and react to criticism without anger or resentment.
8. What skills does your organization need that your colleagues do not have? Developing them will show initiative and greatly increase your value.
9. Do not neglect to take the time to organize yourself. Good organizational skills are always noted and valued. And, the higher up the employment pyramid you go, the more important it is to be well organized.
10. Assist your co-workers whenever possible. And, work hard to develop and maintain good professional relationships.
You never know when that next opportunity to move up the career ladder will come or whether it will be in your current workplace or somewhere else. But, by taking the steps above, you can put yourself in a great position to be a serious candidate.
About the Author:
Robin Maxwell is a freelance writer based in Florida. In addition to writing newspaper and magazine articles, Robin blogs on online college graduate programs, online professional certification programs, online ACT and SAT preparation, and online degrees for educators.
