Congratulations on your new position as supervisor, sales communications. I read through my lettter from Human Resources; pleased that I'd done it again. I'd recreated my job. (See Get Noticed, Get Promoted Strategy, Promotion #5.) This is the fifth company to promote me within one year; and the second time a new position has been created for me. You too can get noticed and get promoted.

I hear people say: ...things are different now... ...no one cares... ...it's who you know... I don't have a degree... I'm too old... If you claim any of these excuses then you need to adjust your attitude. There is a saying, and I believe it: "Whatever the mind of man (woman) can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Over the years I have continued to believe. And I have used the same strategies for forty years, and they still work.

1. Exhibit a positive attitude

As the title says: "exhibit" a positive attitude. You can claim to be a positive person, but when you are in a meeting or leading a project, do you find yourself exhibiting the exact opposite? No, we can't... We tried that before and it failed.

Regardless if you're the meeting facilitator, project lead or a participant, you want to always show your positive side. When you hear: No, we can't... Turn it around. Let's not just rule out the suggestion, let's examine the situation in light of our current resources (or some similar statement).

2. Encourage creative thinking

You have an opportunity to improve your company and to invigorate those around you. When someone approaches you with a question or an idea, remain open minded. I don't know if we can do this, but I was thinking... Pause and consider. If the suggestion is out of your area of expertise, or you need more information, say so.

Encourage creative thinking. Jessie, I like that you are giving this project serious thought, I need to know more... Would you do some further research..? In the meantime, I'll touch base with Chris. This is more her area of expertise. I'd be willing to bet that Jessie will become your ally and that he will be singing your praises all around the office.

3. Create win/win situations

There are very few situations where compromise doesn't work. However, there are people who refuse to compromise. I encourage you to use the win/win strategy; you'll get noticed, appreciated and remembered.

Example. You have been trying to meet with a certain co-worker all morning. You need a few minutes of his time to finalize a project due by the end of the day. What would you do? Many employees go around the office complaining: I can't get hold of Bill, or he's never in his office. Complaints are rarely welcome, and most often create hard feelings. A win/win approach might be to check his schedule, either by calendaring or through someone in the know. Then catch him either coming from or going to his next appointment. I know you have a full schedule; I need to talk with you. Can I walk with you? We can discuss the project along the way. If this doesn't work, or you need more time, ask him if he can direct you to someone who can provide you with the answers you need.

Results

• acknowledges your co-worker's busy schedule
• conveys the time sensitivity of your project
• eliminates further delay.

4. Employ strong work ethics. Avoid pitfalls

Be fair to your employer. Arrive to work on time and put in an honest-day's work. If you are entitled to a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon, don't extend your breaks to 20 and 25 minutes. If lunch is 30 minutes stick to 30 minutes, unless you have arranged an alternative schedule. Avoid going out to lunch with co-workers who take long lunches. Or drive yourself so you won't be stuck when it is time to return to work.

http://career-advice.monster.com/business-etiquette/administrative-support/Top-10-Ways-to-Get-Fired/home.aspx

5. Always perform your job to the best of your ability

This tip should be a no-brainer. But all too frequently I have run across co-workers who submit incomplete and inaccurate work. Always take the time to spell-check your work, verify statistics and compile supporting data.

If you run out of time or run into a roadblock and you are unable to complete a project properly, inform the recipient. Forewarn him or her so that they are not caught unaware. If possible, ask for more time. Under no circumstances should you just submit an incomplete project without discussion.

6. Be open and willing to learn from others, and be willing to teach

An open mind never goes to waste. Ask questions so that you can gain in knowledge and understanding. Then pass it on. Help another co-worker. The more knowledgeable the workforce can become, the better it is for everyone.

Volunteer to teach what you know. You can add to your visibility and network by conducting brown-bag lunch seminars or workshops on helpful subjects, such as How to Facility Effective Meetings or Presentation Skills. Talk with your manager and/or Human Resources Department.

7. Investigate company policies and procedures

Some companies feel operating procedures are extremely important. Effective procedures provide the written instructions about how to keep an organization running safely and efficiently. Because writing and maintaining procedures are time-consuming and resources are often strained, this activity is often delayed and procedures become out of date and ineffective. This is an area where you can make a difference.

In the course of your daily work, review your department's policies and procedures. Analyze what works and what doesn't, and why it works or doesn't. Investigate improvements.

Write up your recommendations and present them to your team and/or your or manager. Solicit their input. Facilitate improvements. Do your homework and learn how and when to write a procedure. When I write a procedure, I observe and/or perform the task(s) and flow chart each step and build out from the chart. Two good references on how to write procedures can be found at http://www.cheresources.com/procedurezz.shtml and http://www.managementhelp.org/writing/procproc.htm

8. Take risks; be resourceful and fill in the gaps

Keep your eyes and ears open. I heard from a co-worker that the retailers who buy our products didn't understand what combination of inventory they should stock in their stores. I took a chance and produced a Buyer's Guide. It was well received by the company, customers and our consumers. The Guide was translated globally. I became more visible.

9. Be visible, get noticed

Be willing to work hard. Take on a special project that highlights your skills. Whenever the opportunity arises, let decision-makers know about your background, training and your interests. I often found the CFO at the coffee stand early in the morning. Remember when opportunity knocks, open the door. Don't get tough-tied. http://career-advice.monster.com/job-promotion/home.aspx

10. Don't be shy, speak up

Be confident. Participate in meetings and share your ideas. Be sure to make eye contact and articulate. Suggest solutions and offer to champion a project.

11. Document your accomplishments

Keep of record of each success. If you fail, record what you learned. If you see yourself in a different role, draft your own proposal for advancement. During the course of my daily work, I found that many of my tasks were co-mingled with two other co-workers in my department. We essentially worked as a team but reported to different managers. When it came time to meet with my VP for our annual goal-setting, I recommended a restructuring. I presented a task matrix and examples of co-operative projects. This documentation later lead to a promotion.

12. Think outside the box

Be an innovative thinker. Put your "what-if" thinking to work. When you run into an obstacle, or someone presents a problem, think of all the possibilities. Think multi-dimensional and move past the obstacle to the solution. In the movie, Apollo 13, NASA had to find a way to construct a filter with what was aboard the space craft. They pooled their creativity and tossed out "business as usual". Failure was not an option. I think we should always approach barriers to success with this same sense of urgency. Your future success is dependent on your way of thinking.

Good Luck

Does this Strategy Really Work?

Promotion #1. From Receptionist to Student Coordinator

My first promotion was from a receptionist to a Student Coordinator position in the city school administration. As receptionist, I was punctual, friendly and helpful. When I wasn't busy, I'd ask others if they needed help. Volunteering to work outside my job responsibilities allowed me to learn more about the organization, its people and added to my skills set. People talk. And what they were saying about me was that I was willing to help, had a positive attitude and did an excellent job.

Word travels quickly-good or bad. Though I did not work within a school, there were occasions where I'd have to deal with students--some were respectful, some were not. With the teens, I chose the direct approach, eye-to-eye contact and straight talk. I was successful in defusing situations by the way I communicated with the students. Now communicating with a five year old was a bit trickier, particularly sense she was the daughter of the superintendent. I was able to redirect her behavior. My attitude and approach were observed. When an ombudsman position opened up, I was selected for the job and received a promotion and a substantial raise. I now had the opportunity to travel from school to school (K-12) observing, talking with the students, relaying their concerns to the faculty and administration, and coordinating/supervising special activities and events. Unfortunately, the position was cut when the school levy failed.

Promotion #2. Project Secretary to Documentation Specialist

This promotion involved a newly-created position. One of my daily tasks was sorting the mail. I would skim over letters and documents and prioritize. I became quite familiar with each project, its status and the challenges associated with the project. I took more and more work off my manager's desk; particularly reports and presentations. Since I kept the calendar, I knew when guest would arrive for tours and when conferences were scheduled. I'd pull together presentations and handouts and submit to my manager for approval.

Timely reporting was an issue in our department. Reports were always late. So I created a template and started writing the reports. All the managers had to do review, edit and approve.

Our reports were now submitted on time. There was an instance where our department had paid to have a project brochure written and illustrated. I was excited when it arrived, that is until I read it. It was poorly written. "I can do better than this." My manager overheard me. After he read the brochure, I was assigned the rewrite. From then on I handled all the project public relations and documentation. A new position was created. I was promoted to documentation specialist and received the appropriate raise.

Thereafter, I produced my very first video production and received an award from the president of the company. I learned to read blueprints, supervised model making and conducted safety meetings. I didn't have a degree or specific training (though I was in college, studying writing) but I knew I could do it, and I wasn't afraid to ask for help. I remained with the company for four years.

Promotion #3. Temporary Administrative Assistant to Technical Writer

I moved from Eastern to Western Washington and I worked as a temp. I found a position at a major forestry company in the temp pool. This was great. I'd go from department to department and learn all I could learn, meeting many key people along the way. One assignment landed me in research and development, working for the second in command. I followed my adopted strategy for advancement. When I ran out of work, I'd ask for more. As the manager and I got to know each other, he asked me what I'd like to do. I said: I want to be a Technical Writer. He went back to his office, brought back some files. "Here, we need to publish a booklet on forestry and fisheries." Though I didn't realize it at the time, this was the start of my technical writing career that span the next 15 years.

Promotion #4. Administrative Assistant to Manager of Administrative Services

After a few months of working temporary, there were some layoffs. I took a full-time job for a motel chain. Using my same strategy, I was promoted from administrative assistant to manager of administrative services. I left just shy of one year, I'd gotten the bug for technical writing and chose it as my career. I went back to the forestry company as contract technical editor and writer, writing software manuals and editing a newsletter. I took classes in technical writing. As my experience and confidence grew, I took on more and more contracts, and even hired desktop publishers to help. I got hit with the dot-com bust. The demand for technical writers dried up for a time.

Promotion #5. Temporary Administrative Assistant to Supervisor, Sales Communications

In 2002, I was back working temporary as an administrative assistant. The responsibilities and skills level for administrative assistants had certainly changed. Fortunately, I had honed my skills, plus I had always maintained my shorthand which is invaluable in meetings. I went back to my same staffing service. In 2003, they placed me at specialty toy manufacturing company.

I was brought in as administrative support. When the manager found out about my writing skills, he asked me to write departmental procedures. He gave me more and more responsibilities, and I became more and more visible. I was hired six months later as a Process Analyst/Project Coordinator.

I observed, read, and learned about our products and methods. I performed at my best, volunteered for projects outside my job scope, engaged and enlisted the help of others. When I was asked about my goals, I was ready with supporting documentation and a proposal. A new position was created and I was promoted.

You can and should promote yourself! And you don't necessarily have to leave your current employer. Read the book by Dan Miller, 48 Days to the Work You Love. "The grass is greenest where you water it."