It does not matter if someone works in a factory or an office nor whether that person is a manager or a floor employee, a good reputation at work is necessary in order to be promoted to a more responsible position. And, although there is no such thing as job security in today's economy, a good reputation at work may help to keep your job if the layoff choice comes down to you or a gossiping coworker.

Your coworkers, and your superiors, do judge you by your appearance. People who show up at work looking as if they were bar hopping until 3 AM create all kinds of gossip, none of which will help you to get ahead in your career. Do whatever it takes to present a well-groomed appearance.

Carry your own workload regardless of how heavy it is, and complete all of your assignments. Proof your work before giving it to your supervisor. Rather than simply putting it on his desk, wait until the supervisor is in his office and present it to him stating that you completed it and to let you know if he needs anything further. This will build your reputation with your boss because he will repeatedly see you turning in completed assignments. And, if you have proofed your work carefully, your supervisor will see that you are a quality employee.

Never repeat privileged information which you overhear. Also, make every attempt to avoid employees who are known for gossiping. Be polite to everyone, including the office gossip, but watch your conversation very closely. This includes leaving your private life at home. No one should know that you argued with your spouse or that you are having financial problems. It sets you up with the reputation of someone who is not capable of a leadership position.

Be honest in your dealings with coworkers. If you made a mistake on a project, then admit the error, apologize, and offer to correct it. Most people are very forgiving when they hear an apology and some will offer to help you fix the error. In the same respect, offer your assistance to others when they need it.

Keep your desk clean and organized at all times. Put each assignment in a separate folder for a more professional appearance. Also, keep a status sheet stapled inside the front cover of each folder with notes of your progress. This will help your boss tremendously if you should be out of the office and he needs to give a status report to his boss. Your reputation at work will be of someone who is organized, professional, and hard-working.

Prioritize your work. Every time that a new assignment is put on your desk, put that folder in the appropriate place in the stack. Keep track of all deadlines and try to finish before it is due. This will build your reputation as someone who can handle responsibility.

Arrive early for work and you will be relaxed as you get a cup of coffee of tea. You will have a few minutes to network with others before the workday starts. Networking is a very important part of having a good reputation at work. People who keep to themselves all of the time soon get the reputation of being either unfriendly or a snob. So greet everyone you pass in the hallway or a general good morning as you walk into the break room for that cup of coffee.

Keep abreast of what is happening at your company. Know which charities and other events they sponsor as well as any upcoming occasions. Actually read the first pages of the employee handbook and learn who's who in management. Greet those people by name when you see them and they may ask for your name in return. This can only help your reputation.

Go out of the office for lunch. Brown bag at the park with a friend on nice days or read a book. Fresh air will help you to feel refreshed and make your afternoon seem shorter. If you will notice, many in upper management go out of the office every day for lunch. It does help in your relationship with coworkers since you return feeling refreshed.

Most of the time it is quite easy to build a good reputation at work. There will be occasions when it will be necessary to be quiet rather than say what you are really thinking, but remember your goal of building a good reputation in order to get promoted.

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