10 New Years Money Resolutions, Part 4
Here's part 4 of a series from Money magazine that lists their 10 New Years Money Resolutions:
Resolution 4: Jumpstart your career
Whether you want a raise, a promotion, a new job or simply more satisfaction in your work, one strategy fits all: Not only do you have to do your job well, but you have to get other people to notice it. The most efficient strategy for raising your profile? Look for one project to set you apart from the crowd, and make sure you excel at it.
1. Uncover opportunities.
2. Make your pitch.
3. Mark your territory.
4. Brag -- subtly.
5. Expand your network.
My thoughts:
1. At my previous job, we had one guy who saved the company several hundred thousand dollars by recommending changes in how we developed our marketing materials. Think he got promoted? ;-)
2. I don't think they are saying "do it anyway even if your boss says not to", but in case they are, I'd caution against it. Even if you save the world, your boss will remember he told you not to save the world.
3. If your boss does approve the project and if you are successful, he'll certainly toot your horn for you (if he's a decent person -- otherwise he may try to steal all the glory for himself). After all, your success is a positive reflection on him.
4. I'd add to #5 above that you should volunteer for charities/non-profits and establish contacts that way. I got my current job by serving on a church committee with my current employers. They saw how I worked with others and when they needed a new person for their organization, they called me.
5. Here are more posts from Free Money Finance on the issue of getting a raise/improving your career:
When I was in the grocery business, I used to watch my boss and then do what he did. This was no problem for me because I already did most of what this boss did. I think that's why we got along as well as we did.
One thing to remember is that NOBODY likes a brown noser.
Posted by: JLP at AllThingsFinancial | December 21, 2005 at 10:14 AM