Climb Higher: 10 Proven Tips to Advance Your Career

Youth, Education, and ambition are undeniable assets many new employees bring to the table. But they are certainly no guarantee of success. On occasion, they can even be liabilities. When younger workers challenge the operation of an entire company, either out of arrogance or naïveté, their superiors are unlikely to be amused. As in any organization, beginners are expected to ladder in the modern era.

1. Always Dress for Success

As they often say, clothes make the man (or woman). Before you even open your mouth, people will judge you based on your attire. An employee who wears casual clothes to work is almost always considered less capable and dedicated than one who dresses impeccably. It might not be fair, but a strict dress code says a lot about the way you approach your job. It also shows respect for your clients, bosses, coworkers, and yourself.

2. Go the Extra Mile

The main difference between the go-getter and the average employee is that the former expects to climb the corporate ladder based on hard work and ambition, rather than seniority. This makes more sense than ever, since most modern workers change jobs several times in their careers, diminishing the importance seniority plays in advancement. As a result, the only way to keep climbing is to make yourself indispensable at work. What does this mean?

It means you should be ready and willing to take on extra work when needed. This will show your bosses and coworkers that you’re serious about your job and about being part of a team. As long as others do not take advantage of your willingness to work, you should always be eager to take the initiative. It may just help propel you into a management position ahead of schedule.

3. Always Be Responsible

Everybody makes mistakes, and go-getters make more than most. Because they take on more responsibilities than the average employee, they will fail from time to time. If you do slip up at work, you will always take your fair share of the blame. Never, ever pass the buck! Bosses respect honest employees who come clean, and they cannot and will not put up with mendacious weasels who only want to save their own skin. Therefore, honesty is always the best policy at work.

4. Budget Your Time Effectively

As we mentioned, it is always a good idea to go the extra mile and help others when they ask for it, unless it interferes with your own workload. Your boss will give you extra points for being a team player, but only if you complete your assignments on time. Your superiors may be upset with both you and the employee you helped out if you fail to complete your own tasks on schedule.

5. Be Friendly, But Never Forget Where You Are

There’s nothing wrong with having friends at work. But bosses often form a low opinion of workers who spend too much time chatting and hanging out with their coworkers. Just like workers who dress in casual attire, superiors often consider them unprofessional, even lazy. So if you are serious about climbing the corporate later, save fraternization for after 5 P.M.

6. Behave Yourself

Once again, perception is everything in a professional environment. Workers should avoid locker room behavior, such as laughing and carrying on, cursing, using slang language, and slapping high fives. That is not how a serious employee comports himself/herself at work.

7. Don’t Show Off

Bosses like to surround themselves with capable people: employees who are not afraid to speak their minds, when asked, that is. Even if you have ideas and suggestions you’re sure will improve the company, your superiors may not want to hear them. They may, in fact, be offended that you think you know better than them. Therefore, it is often best to keep your lips zipped unless you are asked a direct question about a specific subject.

8. Speak Highly of Your Superiors, When Appropriate

There’s a big difference between complimenting your boss when he/she has earned it and being a brown-nose. Like most human beings, bosses love to praise, especially when they know the approval is sincere. As a general rule, it is best to keep these plaudits succinct and centered on work. In other words, avoid complimenting their hair or clothes and stick to actual accomplishments, such as landing a major new account.

9. Ask the Right Questions at the Right Time

Presumptuousness is not a character trait most bosses appreciate. They don’t want employees asking about promotions when they haven’t proven they can handle their current positions. Instead, superiors look for subordinates who are ready and willing to take on more responsibilities without the promise of a new job title or higher pay. To those ends, you might ask your manager, after you are secure in your position, what they would like to see you doing in the future.

10. Pay Attention to Your Peers

Most employees who successfully climb the corporate ladder are excellent observers. From the start, they keep a close eye on the people who are promoted to the level above them. They take note of their behaviors, skills, experience, and general attitude. Then they make adjustments as needed.

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