How to Impress Your Boss and Advance Your Career

How to Impress Your Boss and Advance Your CareerHow to Impress Your Boss and Advance Your CareerImprove your relationship with your manager and watch your career take flight. Identify your anfhrers prioritiesIts no wonder that my colleague and Ladders Founder Marc Cenedella often advises job seekers to ask the hiring manager during an interview, How do you (Mr. or Ms. Future Boss) get a gold star at the end of the year? How can I best help you do that? A sure way to win your managers praise is to help him earn recognition and thanks from his manager. If youre uncertain of your bosss priorities, ask for clarity during your next one-on-one meeting.Take initiativeLook for opportunities to take initiative and market your value. For example, you can volunteer to present to other groups in the company or mentor a junior colleague on your team. Dont merely do whats expected of you go above and beyond Your manager will appreciate your initiative and may reward you with opportunities that ar e more challenging or require you to take on greater responsibility.Treat your boss as a clientIf youre in the service business, you already know how important it is to anticipate your customers needs. Think of your boss as a client and provide the same service. This could be as simple as preparing a report your boss is sure to want for an upcoming management meeting before she has to submit an official request. The longer you work with your boss, the easier it will be to read between the lines and anticipate her needs. If youre new to a team, befriend a colleague who can help translate your bosss expectations so you can quickly get up to speed.Make yourself an assetStay current with your industrys news and latest trends by subscribing to relevant publications and joining associations related to your trade. Attend seminars and other training workshops in and out of the office to boost your skill set and remain up to speed with the latest technologies related to your trade. By bringi ng this newfound knowledge back to your organization, you are becoming an even more valuable member of the team.Provide value in unusual waysLeverage the activities you enjoy outside the office to be a positive influence within your company. For instance, you could organize a team to participate in a local Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, volunteer to teach a yoga class once a month, or head up a suit drive for Dress for Success. By demonstrating a vested interest in the company and positively impacting its culture, youre improving your professional brand and your boss brand by extension in the workplace.