September 16, 2011

Power moves: 12 ways to advance your career in 5 minutes or less

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(Nina Khashchina / Special to NWjobs)

By Dawn Dugan
Salary.com

While it’s important to focus on the big steps that will help you climb the corporate ladder, don’t forget that small actions can have a big impact, too. Here are 12 things you can do in five minutes or less to boost your career.

1. Make a meaningful connection
Reach out to someone whose career path you admire and ask him or her to mentor you. It takes a couple of minutes to make a phone call or send an email, but this small action could change the course of your career.

2. Ask for more responsibility
Only a small percentage of employees ask for additional responsibility, so this will really help you stand out in the crowd. To ensure that your request is meaningful and seriously considered, make sure you ask for work you have shown you deserve and can handle.

3. Sign up for a class
Check out adult-education classes at local universities, and sign up for one that will contribute toward the knowledge or skill set you’ll need to advance in your career. Choose a class you could potentially put toward a certification program or advanced degree.

4. Download educational material
If you are in an industry that has associations or organizations, they likely have a variety of educational materials -- PDFs, ebooks, books on tape -- that you can purchase for a nominal fee. Remember that knowledge really is power.

5. Dress sharp
The simple fact is that people are judged by their appearance. Take a couple of minutes in the morning to make sure you look your best. If you look good, others will assume you are good -- and will respect and trust you more.

6. Volunteer
Choose an organization that is meaningful to you and offer to donate your time. Volunteering puts you in contact with a wide variety of folks you might not otherwise meet. Many of these people will be able to help you progress in your career.

7. Speak your mind
Prepare to voice an opinion, give advice or add input to the next meeting or other situation in which group sharing occurs. Weighing in on issues and questions will show your superiors that you care and demonstrate your knowledge.

8. Be nice to someone
Choose someone in your office -- a co-worker, your supervisor, an intern -- and take a few minutes to help him or her with something. Regardless of whether that person might be instrumental now or later in helping you advance, you’ll cultivate a reputation as a nice person.

9. Learn more
Spend a little time learning about the industry in general, as well as your particular company and its products and services -- even if the information has nothing to do with your particular job.

10. Say thanks
Ask your boss for five minutes of his or her time, then share one way in which his or her leadership has helped you in your career. Most people don’t call meetings unless they have something to complain about, so saying “thanks” differentiates you from your co-workers and positions you as a great person to work with.

11. Give a speech
Most people dislike public speaking. The next time you have an opportunity to talk in front of a crowd -- whether it’s a presentation at a staff meeting or a stint at the podium at an industry gathering -- volunteer to do so. This will position you as an expert and a leader.

12. Update your résumé
Add a short “summary of qualifications” section, with four or five lines designed to sell yourself. Few people include this important first impression on their résumé, and having one that is well crafted can mean the difference between a door opening and a door closing.

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Career Advice, education and training, featured, networking, volunteering

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