10 Important habits to help you advance your career in 2017

1/10
Take your online presence seriously
You’ve got a lot of work to do if your social media accounts are a mess. You can be 100% sure that your employer will hit up Google in an effort to learn more about you, so ensuring your online presence is impeccable is a must. If you have a website or blog, ensure it depicts you in the best possible light. If you don’t have a website, set up a simple one that looks professional and clean, and keep it updated. Your Instagram and Facebook will give insights into your life, the lifestyle choices you make, the types of people you hang out with, even the way you think! So make sure you don’t post anything that might be used against you down the road, be it a month later or 10 years later!
2/10
Keep your resume updated (but don’t clutter it)
Employers like simple resumes that aren’t chockfull of information and useless details that have very little to do with the job. Elementary school and high school details can be cut, even your GPA (unless it’s very impressive) won’t be looked at twice. Skills like ‘proficient at Microsoft Word’ or ‘fast typing speed’ are just embarrassing to include in this day and age. Ideally, the message you need to get across to your potential employer with your piece of paper is: “these are the skills that will make a difference to your company”. You can keep a general resume on hand, but when applying for a position, always tailor your resume to the industry you plan to work in. Highlight skills that apply.
3/10
Focus on your soft skills
If you are still young and inexperienced, it is not expected of you to have a plethora of hard skills to offer. If this is the case, a future employer will be looking for critical soft skills. Skills such as: Being organised, flexible, dependable, confidant, proactive, a team player… these skills are just as important to an employer looking for someone they can count on.
4/10
Look the part – dress smart
Always dress to kill. Never turn up to an interview or to work dressed sloppily, even if you’re feeling lazy that day. Looking sharp during professional working hours will send across the message that you take your career seriously, and it can certainly pay off. Take note that certain colours you wear can send very different messages (take a look at our guide on the best and worst colours to wear to a job interview).
5/10
Take the effort to get to know your co-workers
This is a good habit to keep if you want to remain on good terms with the people you see every day. Forge friendships. By showing a keen interest in your workmates, you will be able to find common interests. You never know what the future might bring - that new intern they just hired may be the future CEO of a multinational company. Build your network and don’t stop maintaining it!
6/10
Learn to handle confrontation
Fearing confrontation will impede on your success. No matter what, there will always be potential for confrontation in the workplace, even regarding the most trivial of matters, and if you want your voice to be heard, you will have to learn to get over the hurdle and prepare yourself. Stand up for yourself when the time comes, and understand that negative feedback can be just as useful as positive feedback.
7/10
Make a list of goals and never stop working on them
First, find out what your ultimate goals are. Make them big, make them long-term (e.g. where you want to be in 10 years). Then, plan a series of sub-goals as stepping stones to your ultimate goals. If you want to climb to the top of your company, you will need a clear path to get there!
8/10
Be willing to ask for more
Many people fail to ask for more - whether it’s for a pay rise, a promotion, or a means to make things more efficient in the office such as an upgrade in the technology or better office supplies. The key is to come up with a rational reason for what you want. A smart employer will listen to what a prized employee will have to say. You’ll be surprised what a little asking can do.
9/10
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
This is incredibly important. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your current project, don’t behave like it’s just a normal day at the office and try to keep your head above the water. Ask for help, let people know that you are struggling to complete a task before a deadline. Most would be happy to help, as long as you ask nicely. And if things get too difficult, approach your boss and talk things out with them - say something along the lines of “I require additional assistance and would appreciate the support of an extra hand”. If anything, your boss would appreciate the update and the honesty.
10/10
Think outside of your job description
Sure, it may not be written in your contract to update the company’s database, or pitch ideas to potential clients, or brainstorm new marketing ideas, but if it gets you (and the team) fired up, you will definitely stand out and impress your manager. Taking the initiative will only serve to advance your career. You don’t want to be the drone in the background minding their own business and making very little contribution to the team!

If you’re the type of person to think that an advancement in your career is something that is hard to come by, you’re completely wrong. Don’t just sit around waiting for a promotion to fall into your lap – unless you’re extremely lucky, you need to take things into your own hands in order to own your career. Of course, being a hard worker and a dependable employee are exemplary habits, but you’re going to need something more in order to fast-track your advancement and reach the top before you turn 60.

Looking for ways to take your career to the next level, but have no idea where to start? It may just be a matter of adopting a few good habits (and sticking to them). Head up to the gallery for 10 snippets of good advice to help you get on track.

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images, Pexels

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