Whether you are a solo business owner like me, or you work in an office, there are steps all of us can take to make ourselves better employees and professionals out in the working world. While these tips don’t guarantee you a raise or a less-sucky jobs, they are stepping stones that can help grow your career, whether the effects are immediately noticeable or not.
Be Indispensable
One of my “first real job” co-workers told me this and it has stuck with me ever since. One of the best ways to guarantee job security is to make sure the company can’t do without you (or it would be a really, really big pain to have you not there anymore). This doesn’t mean that you can afford to be an asshole as long as you’re important. It means that you need to create and become involved in routines, responsibilities, and projects that only you know a part of or are solely responsible.
The more tasks and duties you have that only you know how to do or have ownership of, the less likely you are to be fired when there are layoffs or cutbacks. It also shows you as a dedicated member of the team who is passionate and involved about the work.
Do More Than The Bare Minimum
When I worked in an office, it was so easy to just do my basic duties and go home for the day. The larger a company is, the less likely they will notice employees who just skate by. While this is good for unmotivated people who don’t want to go past where they are now, doing the bare minimum doesn’t make you stand out. This could cost you promotions, more interesting projects, or even other perks, like conference passes or that new vacant office.
Going above and beyond to help other coworkers when you have time, to get projects done be deadlines, and write a little more or give a little more than what was asked for WILL get you noticed. This can help you not only keep your job more interesting, but can help your career progress.
Make Yourself More Awesome
Self-development didn’t used to be a priority for professionals. They just accepted any training that was given to them and worked in the same company for 40 or 50 years until they are ready to retire. With the majority of millennials and young professionals not staying the same job for more than three years, it is critical that you make yourself more responsible for your own personal and professional self-development.
This could include listening to business strategy audiobooks in the car during your commute or taking a class on Skillshare or CodeAcademy. You can also seek out networking groups, conferences, webinars, or books from industry leaders to buy or check out from the library. All money that is put into personal development not only leads to a greater sense of self awareness, but also makes you a better professional in your field. It also puts you ahead of the majority of your peers who aren’t doing anything to further their own learning and development.
Focus on What’s Been Accomplished
Whenever you don’t like your job or where you are at professionally, it can help to think about what has already been accomplished in a certain project or in your role. Focusing on the positives can decrease stress and help you think more clearly about what needs to be done next. While it’s not good for anyone to feel stuck in a job they don’t like, it is important to continue to do the best you can for the situation you are in until you can change things to improve.
Always be Asking What Can Be Better
This encapsulates most of what has already been mentioned above. When it comes to any situation or project, being awesome involves asking what can be done to make it better. Could a project take off with better organization, or would you be more productive if your desk faced the window? These types of changes can have a huge impact, and all it took was someone (you) thinking objectively about what could be done to improve.
Being awesome at your job does take a lot of dedication and motivation, but if you want to further your professional career, it’s important to make “getting better” a priority.