5 ways to get ahead at work

Getting ahead at work isn't easy.  The competition can be fierce in the best of times.  In today's economy, better watch out!  Employers are looking to retain their top talent and they wont hesitate to replace those who are not performing at the top of their game.  Resumes are flooding into employers by the hundreds and there are plenty of very well qualified people with major degrees sitting on the sidelines.

In my career, I have hired hundreds of people.  I always looked for a few basic things to help me select top talent.  Things like good common sense, dedication, intelligence, effective problem solving, the ability to serve the customer, and the ability to sell.  And selling isn't limited to customers.  I wanted those who were hungry and wanted more for themselves.  I wanted to know I would get your best each day and that getting ahead was just as important to you as it was for me.  Here are 5 things you need to do to get ahead at work.

1.  Sell yourself - Whether you have been there for 25 years or are just getting interviewed, selling yourself is a must.  It is an ongoing thing as well and something that employees tend to forget about after they get the job.  Employers are looking for talent that are able to do any and everything.  It isn't hard to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing, day in and day out because your employer only sees you for what you have always done.  Step up.  Ask for new assignments that are different.  Explain to your employer why you are suited for these tasks and how you will go about doing them.  Discuss what your boss sees as areas that you could improve upon and sell an action plan to them on how you will improve.  You have to stay top of mind for you to get ahead.  If you boss doesn't envision you being able to do a job, you wont be doing it.  This is why selling yourself is so important.  You must convince your employer that you can and will be good at whatever it is you are shooting for.

2.  Stop thinking that your employer will be fair - So you have been there for 5 years and you are next in line.  Its only fair that you get the next shot, right?  Wrong.  Just like life, work isn't fair either.  Are women paid less in some lines of work still, yes.  Are certain types of people discriminated against still, yes.  Will you boss overlook you for someone else just because they don't like you as much, yes.  It happens.  You must see and understand a barrier to success in order to overcome it.  It would be nice if all things were fair, but since they aren't what matters is how you overcome those things.  Meeting those challenges head on will help you get ahead at work because it allows you to still be forward thinking instead of being blindsided.  Don't be caught off guard.

3.  Use your evaluations as leverage - Most employees are reviewed annually.  Those reviews contain the keys to getting ahead.  Your boss will tell you what you are doing great and what you need to improve upon.  Do not be afraid to ask what happens when those improvements are made.  Express your desire to be promoted or to get a raise and ask specifically what you need to do to get there.  Simply expressing the fact that you want more in your career can sometimes lead to getting it.  People who don't speak up usually get left behind.

4.  Don't be a jerk - Sounds simple enough doesn't it?  But lets be real, if you understand that work isn't always fair, then you must also understand that just because you work the hardest, are the most dedicated, and most qualified doesn't mean you will get the promotion or raise you want.  Fair or not, your boss has an expectation as to how they will be treated by you.  Some bosses are laid back, easy going, and seem to be just one of the gang.  Don't be fooled into believing this to actually be true.  They will remember everything you say, good and bad.  Some bosses are flat out jerks and expect you to kiss butt daily.  If you can't kiss his butt, find another job or don't expect to move up.  I already said it wasn't fair didn't I?

5.  Become indispensable - You want to be in the position of them needing you more than you need them.  Learn every job you can.  Fill your bosses skill sets so that when they aren't around you can handle anything that arises.  Fill out a skill set that no one else in the office has, then show why the office needs it.  Be the creative one who comes up with ideas to make work easier and/or more profitable.  This allows you to pitch these ideas to the boss and sell just how important you are to the team and why you shouldn't be overlooked.

These are just 5 areas that can help you improve your place within your company.  What things have you found to be most effective in getting ahead at your job?  Please comment below!