Berks & Beyond Blog

Have you ever noticed that some people always seem to end up climbing the career ladder faster than everyone else?  While it could be because Mom or Dad is the boss, more than likely it’s because they work hard and follow these five tips:

• Always display a positive attitude.
  Your attitude can be a powerful self-fulfilling prophecy.  If you have a negative attitude, 9 times out of 10 you will fail.  But, if you bring a positive attitude and display confidence, strength, and determination, you WILL be successful.
• Stay educated.
  The best way to ensure success is to stay one step ahead. Research your industry. Know what’s happening and what the experts say will happen. Look for trends. When you find them, start to train yourself in these areas. Knowledge is power.
• Create a personal elevator pitch.
  First impressions mean a lot.  If you only had 30 seconds to convince someone you were a hard-worker and a leader, what would you say and do?  Plan this ahead of time; you never know when it will be needed.
• Learn to network.
  Unfortunately sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know (at least to begin with).  Learn to network. You can even network within your own company. Invite co-workers to lunch. Take the time to walk by someone’s office to say hello. And actively seek out opportunities to network outside of work by joining organizations, groups, etc.  You start by seeking out your local chamber of commerce to learn of upcoming events.
• Be open to new opportunities.
  Read trade publications. Listen to people in your network.  When a new opportunity presents itself, don’t sit back and wait.  Take the initiative to inquire more–and don’t be shy!

And speaking of new opportunities, if you’re in the market for a new job or just curious about what is out there, please call us today.  As a leading Lehigh Valley employment agency, we offer a variety of excellent jobs.

Endless e-mails.  Countless voicemails.  An overflowing inbox.  With all the daily demands you face in your job, who has time to focus on career development?

Well if you can find just  extra 10 minutes, you do.  In just 10 minutes, you can accomplish one of the tasks below.  Each of these simple ideas will put you one step closer to getting the recognition, raise or promotion you want.

1. Ask someone in another department to explain his job to you.  Find out how other positions relate to your own – and the organization as a whole.  This “big picture” perspective will help you more readily identify opportunities to make a positive impact.
2. Propose a new idea.  Spend 10 minutes brainstorming ways to: solve an existing problem; save your company money; generate additional revenue, etc.  Present your best ideas to your boss.
3. Ask your boss out to lunch.  During your meal, find out more about his priorities, as well as what makes him tick (and ticked-off).  Show him that you understand the pressure he faces, and you’re sure to make your mark.
4. Clean your desk.  Go through those stacks of paperwork and over-stuffed drawers.  Eliminate as much of the clutter as you can.  A cleaner desk will help you think more clearly, improve your efficiency, and show others that you take pride in your space – as well as your work.
5. Write a To Do list.  Prioritize your existing projects and responsibilities.  Next, enter them into a simple “To Do” program (such as Microsoft Outlook) that will provide pop-up reminders for your meetings, tasks and deadlines.  You’ll be able to take your mind off less-pressing items – and focus more productively on what you’re doing now.
6. Start a portfolio.  Keep track of your professional accomplishments and contributions by assembling a simple portfolio that showcases your skills and experience.  Start by highlighting your most recent projects, and then work backward as time permits (10 focused minutes per week will yield results quickly).  When the time comes to make your case for a raise or promotion, your portfolio will prove an invaluable tool.

Berks & Beyond Can Make You More Successful at Work

• Enjoy more freedom to focus on your core competencies.
• Meet critical deadlines by quickly accessing the extra labor or adminsitrative staff you need.
• Use our direct placement services to make better quality hires who will support your success.

Contact us today to learn more.