Working from the Bottom Up
The idea of starting at the bottom and working your way up in a business or industry seems like an old-fashioned concept, but many entrepreneurs have demonstrated this premise works wonders. Employees, such as Sukanto Tanoto, start out with very little but amount to millions as they climb the corporate ladder. Although there is a hint of luck to this employment game, core ideas make it easier for anyone to find their dreams come true.
Taking Pride in it All
If you deliver the mail at a corporation, make that position the most important in your eyes. Keep your desk neat, organize the mail swiftly and hand it out with flair. Your professional attitude rings out to colleagues throughout the building. When you work a reception position, greet everyone with a smile and helpful comments. You never know who you’ll meet in the course of a day. Opportunity knocks for those who put effort into the everyday workload.
Learn Something Each Day
Any career position has a set of responsibilities particular to it. Instead of adhering to those set duties, branch out a little each day. If it’s a slow day in your department, help a colleague with an overwhelming workload. Along with making an instant friend, you’ll learn new skills to transfer directly onto the resume. Each skill gives you a better chance at moving up the career ladder even if it’s months or years from now.
Making the Right Friends
Regardless of your current position, always be aware of colleagues and their position in the company. Answering phones, helping vendors or guiding customers to a product or service is all part of networking and making friends. If a customer has a question you can’t answer, you’ll know which colleague can help them better than others. Networking even on a virtual platform is critical to business success. The more people you know, the better chances of hearing about a lucrative job opening.
Look for Opportunity
Businesses often look internally for hiring practices because your work ethic is already demonstrated for human resources. There isn’t a question about your background either. Always stay aware of the internal job board to see upcoming openings. You may even hear about openings through lunch meetings or grabbing some food at the vending machine. Many positions are never even advertised because they’re filled quickly by those in the know. Looking for opportunity is the best way to move upward swiftly.
Invest Yourself
More businesses than ever are looking to engage employees with wellness and bonding programs. Try to invest yourself into some of these activities to show you care for the company as a whole. Managers make a note of this participation, keeping you in mind for possible promotions when they arise. You also benefit with new friendships throughout the company that would otherwise be impossible. Playing tennis at lunch, for example, is a great way to network and stay in shape simultaneously.
From the mail room to the corner office, budding entrepreneurs have a chance of making it big with the right motivation. If you want to make something of yourself, take the time to see what excites you and invest yourself into that trade, concept or product. The world needs dedicated people who believe in themselves and their business.
Myles Money says
This makes complete sense. Basically, be the kind of employee YOU would want to hire if you were the boss.
Myles Money recently posted…Monetizing Your Blog
Matt D. says
I find “Taking Pride in it All” is the most important for me. It opens a lot of things and gives you a good mindset to go on. It is sage advice!
Matt D. recently posted…100 Reasons It’s Really Great To Be A Guy!
Goosemann Jones says
Hi, Pauline.
Thanks for the article, but I’ve had a different experience with climbing the corporate ladder. I recently left my corporate job after ten years to join a company with a much flatter organizational chart as I had gotten stuck on the corporate ladder with my previous company as no one above me was leaving (or moving up to new positions). As such, the company wasn’t able expose me to any new experiences and the canned response that I received when I asked for more responsibility was to “wait my turn.” My new company is much smaller and does a much better job of empowering its employees. I’ve already learned much more than I would have if I had stayed put. Take care.
Goosemann Jones
Flight to Dividends Blog
Goosemann Jones recently posted…Portfolio Overview-Taxable Account
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
I couldn’t agree more. I feel like I don’t like to go home when I haven’t learned something from the day’s work.
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…I’m paying for G20 to come to town this weekend
How To Save Money says
Thanks Pauline! I love this article. When work turns a little stressful, I just turn to my motivations and it perks me up a bit.
How To Save Money recently posted…Cash Deals can Save Money
moneystepper says
Taking pride in what you do is very important, but equally it is extremely difficult to fake pride when you don’t enjoy what you are doing. Therefore, adopting all of these will hopefully help you find a role that you do have pride in!
moneystepper recently posted…13 Personal Finance Apps To Help You Save Money
DC @ Young Adult Money says
This posts seems to describe the opposite of entrepreneurship – namely climbing the corporate ladder – but then says it’s focused on entrepreneurship? “From the mail room to the corner office, budding entrepreneurs have a chance of making it big with the right motivation.” Despite the confusing end to the post, there is some really solid advice here.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Free 2015 Editorial Calendar in Google Spreadsheets for Bloggers
NYC presentations says
Fashion shows create numerous opportunities for content, for brands, editors, retailers, bloggers & celebrities.