Summary
- Pursue more training in your field.
- Expand your job responsibilities.
- Enjoy your work.
- Find a mentor.
Are you making enough money? Does your boss’s boss know your name? Are you a candidate for promotion? Have you been formally complimented on your work? If you answer “no” to any of these, then you might not be receiving the job recognition that you deserve, and that may sap your motivation to do your best.
Whether you have been working for two years or 20, you can advance your career and raise your self-esteem by earning positive attention at work. If you have the energy and ambition, here are some strategies to jump-start your career:
Get specific
First, decide exactly what sort of recognition you want. Remember, there are lots of kinds of recognition. Do you want a raise? A bonus? A promotion? If you are happy with your salary, but would like your boss to acknowledge the extra effort you put into a recent project, request feedback on your performance. Jot down your career goals for this month, this year and the next five years, and then brainstorm ways to achieve them.
Pursue training
Take advantage of every training opportunity offered by your company, regardless of whether it relates directly to your job. You may want to attend evening classes to bolster key computer or management skills. Let your supervisor know when you have completed a course or learned a new program.
Ask for a challenge
Inform your boss if you would like to expand your job responsibilities, and schedule a short meeting so that you can discuss options. Explain that you would like to take on more challenges and are looking for opportunities to use new skills. Make some specific suggestions that address your company’s particular needs. If your supervisor does give you extra responsibility, write a memo a few weeks later describing your progress.
Use numbers
If you can describe your achievements in numbers, let your boss know in an email, memo, note, or formal report. Have sales increased 50 percent since you joined the department? Have customer complaints decreased by 30 percent? Quantify your success and others will take notice.
Enjoy your work
Enthusiastic employees almost always receive more recognition. Even if you do not love every aspect of your job, stay positive about what you do enjoy. Your supervisor will genuinely appreciate your upbeat attitude.
Get visible
Look for ways to increase your professional profile. Offer to write for the company newsletter, come up with some ideas for the website or suggest a departmental charity drive. By becoming more visible, you will be more likely to win recognition.
Find a mentor
One of the best ways to improve your prospects is to find a mentor—someone you admire both personally and professionally who might be willing to provide career guidance. A mentor can be a source of invaluable advice and information. If you know someone who might be a good mentor, ask if she would be willing to take on the role.
Whenever possible, let your boss know about your goals and ask for suggestions on how to achieve them. Increase awareness of your valuable contributions, and get the recognition you deserve!
Summary
- Pursue more training in your field.
- Expand your job responsibilities.
- Enjoy your work.
- Find a mentor.
Are you making enough money? Does your boss’s boss know your name? Are you a candidate for promotion? Have you been formally complimented on your work? If you answer “no” to any of these, then you might not be receiving the job recognition that you deserve, and that may sap your motivation to do your best.
Whether you have been working for two years or 20, you can advance your career and raise your self-esteem by earning positive attention at work. If you have the energy and ambition, here are some strategies to jump-start your career:
Get specific
First, decide exactly what sort of recognition you want. Remember, there are lots of kinds of recognition. Do you want a raise? A bonus? A promotion? If you are happy with your salary, but would like your boss to acknowledge the extra effort you put into a recent project, request feedback on your performance. Jot down your career goals for this month, this year and the next five years, and then brainstorm ways to achieve them.
Pursue training
Take advantage of every training opportunity offered by your company, regardless of whether it relates directly to your job. You may want to attend evening classes to bolster key computer or management skills. Let your supervisor know when you have completed a course or learned a new program.
Ask for a challenge
Inform your boss if you would like to expand your job responsibilities, and schedule a short meeting so that you can discuss options. Explain that you would like to take on more challenges and are looking for opportunities to use new skills. Make some specific suggestions that address your company’s particular needs. If your supervisor does give you extra responsibility, write a memo a few weeks later describing your progress.
Use numbers
If you can describe your achievements in numbers, let your boss know in an email, memo, note, or formal report. Have sales increased 50 percent since you joined the department? Have customer complaints decreased by 30 percent? Quantify your success and others will take notice.
Enjoy your work
Enthusiastic employees almost always receive more recognition. Even if you do not love every aspect of your job, stay positive about what you do enjoy. Your supervisor will genuinely appreciate your upbeat attitude.
Get visible
Look for ways to increase your professional profile. Offer to write for the company newsletter, come up with some ideas for the website or suggest a departmental charity drive. By becoming more visible, you will be more likely to win recognition.
Find a mentor
One of the best ways to improve your prospects is to find a mentor—someone you admire both personally and professionally who might be willing to provide career guidance. A mentor can be a source of invaluable advice and information. If you know someone who might be a good mentor, ask if she would be willing to take on the role.
Whenever possible, let your boss know about your goals and ask for suggestions on how to achieve them. Increase awareness of your valuable contributions, and get the recognition you deserve!
Summary
- Pursue more training in your field.
- Expand your job responsibilities.
- Enjoy your work.
- Find a mentor.
Are you making enough money? Does your boss’s boss know your name? Are you a candidate for promotion? Have you been formally complimented on your work? If you answer “no” to any of these, then you might not be receiving the job recognition that you deserve, and that may sap your motivation to do your best.
Whether you have been working for two years or 20, you can advance your career and raise your self-esteem by earning positive attention at work. If you have the energy and ambition, here are some strategies to jump-start your career:
Get specific
First, decide exactly what sort of recognition you want. Remember, there are lots of kinds of recognition. Do you want a raise? A bonus? A promotion? If you are happy with your salary, but would like your boss to acknowledge the extra effort you put into a recent project, request feedback on your performance. Jot down your career goals for this month, this year and the next five years, and then brainstorm ways to achieve them.
Pursue training
Take advantage of every training opportunity offered by your company, regardless of whether it relates directly to your job. You may want to attend evening classes to bolster key computer or management skills. Let your supervisor know when you have completed a course or learned a new program.
Ask for a challenge
Inform your boss if you would like to expand your job responsibilities, and schedule a short meeting so that you can discuss options. Explain that you would like to take on more challenges and are looking for opportunities to use new skills. Make some specific suggestions that address your company’s particular needs. If your supervisor does give you extra responsibility, write a memo a few weeks later describing your progress.
Use numbers
If you can describe your achievements in numbers, let your boss know in an email, memo, note, or formal report. Have sales increased 50 percent since you joined the department? Have customer complaints decreased by 30 percent? Quantify your success and others will take notice.
Enjoy your work
Enthusiastic employees almost always receive more recognition. Even if you do not love every aspect of your job, stay positive about what you do enjoy. Your supervisor will genuinely appreciate your upbeat attitude.
Get visible
Look for ways to increase your professional profile. Offer to write for the company newsletter, come up with some ideas for the website or suggest a departmental charity drive. By becoming more visible, you will be more likely to win recognition.
Find a mentor
One of the best ways to improve your prospects is to find a mentor—someone you admire both personally and professionally who might be willing to provide career guidance. A mentor can be a source of invaluable advice and information. If you know someone who might be a good mentor, ask if she would be willing to take on the role.
Whenever possible, let your boss know about your goals and ask for suggestions on how to achieve them. Increase awareness of your valuable contributions, and get the recognition you deserve!