Challenging yourself in the workplace

 

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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.