Be proactive about seeking new opportunities. These don’t always have to be directly related to your job. For example, you might see a course which would enhance your overall skill portfolio. You might decide that you want to demonstrate the ability to work in teams (you could join a football or netball team), or show leadership skills (organize a group outing or set up a new club or run a charitable event); or fiscal responsibility (become the treasurer of a local group). There are many ways you can proactively make your curriculum vitae unique and stand out from the crowd.
Always be on the lookout for better positions or positions which move you along your chosen career path. This doesn’t mean you have to look outside your company. Most companies publish weekly internal job listings. These may be on-line, or posted on boards in your recreation area or lunch area. If you have targeted an area you might be interested in, get to know some of the people who work in that department: as well as learning more about what the area does, you might even receive an early warning that a job posting is about to be put up – and you already know some of the people in that area who may be able to put in a good word for you.
And this leads us to perhaps the most important step in increasing your opportunities: networking. Everyone is a salesman or saleswoman. We constantly send verbal and non-verbal messages into the space around us, which are picked up and interpreted by people near us. Depending on the messages they will either be attracted to you or repelled by you. Despite the fact that bad news in newspapers tends to increase sales, people on an individual level tend to prefer good news over bad. So couch your language appropriately. Emphasize the positive and never speak badly of anyone behind their back: the listener will assume you would do the same about them! Networking is about making sure the people in your close environment are those who like you and can help you. This usually means you network upwards, or work to attract people who are senior or more experienced than you. They can act both as advisors and mentors, and also on occasion even recommend you for a position. Strive constantly to build your network; set yourself weekly goals; learn to remember names and hobbies. This is one of the most essential skills you need to learn.
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