Someone asked me for job advice and I ended up writing this in an email. I wish I could take credit for these ideas but they’re time-tested pieces of advice I’ve heard over and over throughout the years. And like a good navy suit with a white button-down shirt, they’re always appropriate.
Think of them as the 10 basic building blocks (a.k.a. the infrastructure) of your personal brand.
- Make a schedule you can keep to. Shows you do what you say you’ll do.
- Confirm that you understand what is wanted. Repeat it aloud. Send the other person an email, short and sweet, if it’s significant enough (like at the start of a project).
- Get very organized. Sort your work by fiscal year and subject. Keep the shared workspace organized. Keep email organized.
- NO PHONE CALLS in office EVER and no personal emails. This is obviously extreme but if you shoot for zero and hit 5% you’re doing good.
- Find a mentor who will talk to you and help you. Make friends. Have coffee. Nobody is an island.
- Genuine effort and a good attitude go a long way.
- Check your work before you give it in. Don’t just rush to send it off. Sit on it for a couple of hours.
- No talking to boss unless it’s to ask, “What can I do for you?” No emailing unless it’s “Here’s what you asked for.”
- Offer to help with seemingly small things. Your appearance should be equated with an end to pain.
- Try giving a shit. Read about your office on the news. It’s as easy as setting up a Google Alert.
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All opinions my own.