The days of workplace loyalty are just about dead and buried. Employees rarely stay at the same company for decades the way their parents often did. Even so, it’s important to be a dedicated worker who is an asset to the organization, no matter how long you have worked or plan to work there. Proving that you’re a valuable employee will be a benefit when it comes to promotions, job responsibilities, and yes, the big one—raises.
Whether you’ve been blessed with the most awesome supervisor on Earth or you have to deal with the boss from hell on a daily basis, here are five specific things that you can do to make your boss notice your worth:
1. Always be Prepared and Organized
The Boy Scouts knew what they are talking about—being prepared is critical when it comes to being a success. When you have to meet a deadline, meet it or—better yet—beat it. If you have a meeting or presentation scheduled for 9 AM, make sure everything is ready to go the night before rather than ten minutes before. Keep your desk and computer files so organized that your boss or a colleague could immediately find everything and fill in for you should an emergency take you out of the office.
2. Arrive Early and Stay a Few Minutes Late Whenever Possible
No one wants to feel like they live at work, but it takes very little effort to get to your desk five minutes early each morning. Avoid counting down the minutes when it’s time to go home and instantly rushing out the door, too. We all have personal lives, but you don’t want to be the person who is constantly late and/or sneaking out early.
3. Keep your Personal Life Personal
And speaking of personal lives, limit how many details you share about yours. Displaying a family photo or one of your child’s preschool paintings is generally acceptable cubicle etiquette, but you shouldn’t poster your office with pictures and artwork that isn’t related to your job. Letting the boss know that had a fun vacation to the Bahamas over Christmas is acceptable; spilling the details about your drunken escapade with a deadlocked hunk on a sandy beach is not.
4. Anticipate your Boss’s Needs
There’s no need to be a coffee-fetching, old school secretary (do those even exist anymore?) but you should do your best to predict your boss’s needs. Is your department holding a brainstorming session about a particular client or problem? Jot down a list of your suggestions and bring it to the meeting. Is creating a weekly report each Friday afternoon in your job description? Send it to your boss before he asks for it.
5. Imitate your Boss’s Work Style
A diverse group of unique individuals will bring more advantages to the table than a bunch of single-minded folks, but you should follow your boss’s lead when it comes to certain things. Are her emails always brief and to the point? Avoid sending her elaborate, too-wordy messages. Does she prefer lengthy, descriptive emails that explain everything in detail? Be sure to do things that way. People are often drawn to others who “do it my way,” which can ironically help your boss see your worthiness.
You don’t have to be superhuman to show your boss that you’re worth your weight in gold, but the above-mentioned tips will definitely come in handy. Have a great day at work!
This is a guest post written by Michael “Big Mike” McCaffery who enjoys his career at GodishCareers where combining work with entertainment is an easy fit. Drop by Linked In and say hello.
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