If you can demonstrate that you have the skills to solve their problems, you will position yourself to be competitive to land a new opportunity.

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There are a lot of reasons why people seem to be “out of sight, out of mind” at work. While a poor cubicle or office location can be an obvious way to marginalize someone, other situations also contribute to many talented people being left out in the cold. For example, if you telecommute, or if you absent yourself from staff social and networking events, it is easy for others to forget you when the time comes to pass out the plum projects.

How can you keep the spotlight on your accomplishments and potential if you drew a poor seat or aren’t in the office regularly?

Keep these tips in mind for various situations if you want to take charge of your career:

You telecommute

If you never see your colleagues in person, don’t be surprised when they forget about you! Use technology to keep in touch. Between email, IM, texting, phone calls and even video or Skype meetings, you can make it seem like you’re right next door, instead of two or three states away. When you don’t have true “face time” with the boss or your team, the onus is even more on you to stay engaged via FaceTime or another technology tool. No matter how busy you are, schedule regular opportunities to touch base to update your boss on your projects and to discuss plans for the future. If you fly under the radar, it’s your own fault.

You’re an introvert

Not everyone likes to attend in-person networking events or happy hours. Regardless of your preference, in some office environments, it’s clear that being engaged personally with colleagues and supervisors is key to success. Do your best to participate in staff get-togethers as often as possible, and consider offering to arrange opportunities to socialize that are more conducive to your preferences. For example, if every staff networking event is at the corner tavern and you don’t drink, think of more palatable alternatives.

Set up a co-ed staff soccer or softball league, a viewing party for a television program everyone enjoys or a book club. While these may still take you out of your comfort zone, at least you’ll have some say about the event if you are planning it, so it should be a little easier to manage. If the result is a great, casual conversation with your boss (or the boss’s boss) that lands you a great gig, it will have been worth it.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

No one knows you outside the office

Maybe you got stuck in a cubicle in the back corner because no one likes you at work. It’s time to expand your network and start impressing people outside of your office with your accomplishments and savvy. Turn to social media to meet people who don’t work with you. Find like-minded colleagues around the city, state, country and globe and exchange messages, insights and ideas. Post links to demonstrate you have your finger on the pulse of your industry. If you play your cards well, you could have some new job offers or invitations to apply for new opportunities without even officially seeking a new job.

Another way to get some respect if you don’t have it at work is to join your professional organization and begin to volunteer. Every organization needs and values its volunteers and leaders, so this is a great way to grow the number of people who know and like you and may be willing to refer you to a better opportunity than the one you have.

It’s up to you

Don’t take a poor situation at work sitting down. Be the squeaky wheel and let superiors know how you’re contributing, even if it is from around the globe or from the back cubicle.

Originally appeared on AOlJobs.com.

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1. Corporate Déjà Vu. It seems as though it’s a requirement in business that you spend huge amounts of time reporting the same information in a dozen different formats, attending status meetings where conversation from the week before is repeated word for word and where you put out the same fires, because your department doesn’t learn from its mistakes.

2. Name dropping. Also known as “invoking syndrome,” this occurs when colleagues try to persuade you to do what they want by name-dropping someone higher up. Whether the executive manager was actually involved or not, invoking him is a manipulative tactic used to get you to bend to your colleagues’ wishes. For example: “Really? Well, I spoke to the CEO last night, and he told me we have to do the event this way.”

3. Ego-mania. When certain people reach a high level in a company, they think that they are better than everyone else and that they are entitled to be treated like a god. Regardless of the issue, they believe they are always right and that they can’t possibly learn anything from someone lower on the chain.

4. Corporate jargon. If you think everyone in the business world speaks your language, think again. The business world’s language is one of subtlety, filled with euphemisms and pet phrases to cleverly disguise what people actually mean.

5. Bureaucracy. How many departments does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Corporate business has a lengthy approval process for everything, and companies delight in changing those processes constantly so that you’re never sure which 10 departments you need to consult before a decision can be made.

6. Hypocrisy. Don’t you just love the way some companies tout values such as quality, entrepreneurship, innovation and integrity, when they would be perfectly happy if their employees just kept quiet and never suggested a disruptive change?

7. Uncommon Sense. Is common sense dead in the business world? People might make a joke of it, but this dearth of logical thought is kind of sad. It’s also frustrating when the obviously correct way to do something is staring everyone right in the face, and no one sees it.

8. Nonsensical Change. Every now and then, companies will decide to throw their departments up in the air and see where all the pieces land. Yes, it’s the reorganization (otherwise known as the dreaded re-org). Despite the fact that it results in mass confusion, greatly decreased productivity and low employee morale, companies continue to do it year after year.

Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com.

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More and more, however, employers are including “soft skills,” also known as “emotional intelligence” in their requirements. Soft skills include: leadership, written and verbal communication, problem solving, motivation, interpersonal skills and creativity.

It’s not surprising that soft skills continue to play a big role in hiring decisions. Employers realize that they can teach hard skills, such as how to use a software program, but it’s virtually impossible to retrofit employees with soft skills. A study from Millennial Branding showed soft skills topped the list of “must have” skills that employers want, with 98 percent of employers saying communication skills are essential.

Early in my career, I learned a lot about the value of written communication as an editor for publications at a Wall Street firm. A new college graduate, I worked with many brilliant financial minds to help them explain the markets to their clients. Just one word out of place could give someone the wrong impression. I saw how difficult it could be for people who could explain a strategy to a client in person to put those same concepts together in writing.

Making sense
Our department’s job was to take their words and ensure they made sense when read. Over and over again, I noticed how adding (or subtracting) a comma or changing a phrase could alter the entire document. (For better or for worse!) Careful reading is so important to success in written communication.

In my second career as a career advisor in a university setting, I learned a lot of lessons about communicating well face-to-face. I remember the very first student I met for a resume review. I pointed out a few things she had included on her resume and asked her, “So what?,” intending to help her focus and clarify her accomplishments. Having come from Wall Street, where verbal communication tends to be very direct, it didn’t occur to me that she’d react poorly to the inquiry and think she needed to rewrite her entire resume!

It was a great reminder for me to always think about the person who needed my help and adjust my communication accordingly. I certainly didn’t want to offend students via blunt questions about their marketing materials. I find today, working with more business owners and experienced professionals, I do sometimes communicate bluntly to make a point.

The lesson is that communication is a two-way street. It doesn’t really matter what you intend to say, or the takeaway you expect. What matters most is how the person or group will receive your communication. Like marketing; it’s important to think first of your target audience when you put your thoughts together to share with someone else.

Originally published on AOLJobs.com.

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Fix your work reputation

Your reputation is one of your most important assets, so don’t let a mistake at work interfere with your dreams.

If you need a career turnaround, follow these tips from Emily Bennington, author of Effective Immediately and Who Says It’s a Man’s World to repair your damaged reputation and get back on track at work.

1. Get to work early. Bennington notes: “Most colleagues aren’t around to see who stays late, but it’s hard to miss the employee who shows the initiative to come early.”

Not only can you make a good impression, but getting to work early eliminates any need to rush to set yourself up for the day. When you come into a quiet office—before your boss, ideally—you’ll have a chance to plan for a successful and productive day. Don’t hesitate to occasionally take a walk around first thing in the morning so people know you’re a go-getter and get an early start. (You may be surprised by the impression it leaves.)

2. Write down your priorities. “Keep a notebook and write down your top five priorities each morning or, ideally, the night before,” Bennington suggests.

3. Do the work. If you’ve let down your guard and earned a reputation as someone who is less focused, one of the best things you can do is put your head down and focus. “Keep track of the details and be alert for things your supervisor is likely to ask for next,” Bennington says. “When possible, try to deliver on those things too.

4. Stay positive. Never let people know when you’re frustrated. Bennington advises, “Ask questions to clarify anything you don’t understand, but stay positive.

5. Keep a check on your attitude. Expect colleagues to judge you based on how you act. Bennington says, “Run your behavior through this filter multiple times each day. Literally stop and ask yourself, ‘How’s my attitude right now?'” She also suggests asking yourself, “Am I showing initiative? Am I being as productive as possible?”

Don’t beat yourself up too much if you make some early mistakes at work, but recognize it’s up to you to rectify the situation. Your behavior and attitude directly impact what people think of you as a colleague, which will either hurt or help you when it’s time to go for a promotion or find a new opportunity.

Read the post on my U.S. News & World Report column.

photo by by jeffedoe

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Interview thank you notes

If your messages don’t go beyond the following trite and inappropriate phrases and sentiments, you’ll want to up your game to help your cause.

“Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the position.”

If you really want to stand out, consider briefly referencing an off-handed comment the interviewer made, especially if you think it will help the person remember you favorably. For example, “Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the position. Since you mentioned you are swamped with the XYZ project, it was so thoughtful of you to spend an hour with me. I hope you’ll agree, based on my qualifications and background in ABC, I could quickly and easily jump in to help your team achieve its next big goal.”

“I believe my qualifications are perfect for this job.”

Don’t write a note saying you’re qualified unless you can back it up with some specifics.

“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.”

This is probably one of the worst things you can say in a thank-you note, as you effectively point out that you can’t manage your time well enough to get a basic project finished.

“Please enjoy this gift as a token of my appreciation.”

Do not expect a grand gesture, such as sending flowers or cookies, will help an employer decide to hire you.

“I’m calling to follow up.”

It’s OK to call to follow up via phone after a certain time frame. (Hopefully, a time period you determined before you left the interview.) However, a phone call is not an appropriate or effective way to thank the interviewer. If anything, it could cause you to receive negative attention, as it may annoy him or her.

A thank you note is your chance to stand out; make sure the employer’s impression of you after reading your message is positive and you’ll have a much better chance to move on in the process.

Read the rest on my U.S. News & World Report column.

photo by maher berro

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Your boss probably doesn’t like you if:

1. You – and your work – are always late.

If you’re the employee who never finishes projects on time, or you consistently stroll into your office 30 minutes late, you aren’t winning any points with the boss — or your co-workers. If there is a certain time that you are expected at your desk, it’s disrespectful to ignore the rules and come in when it’s convenient for you. If your work is always late, you’re probably preventing your colleagues from getting their part done. These are two cardinal sins.

The fix: This is an easy one. Be on time and finish your work. Learn from your mistakes. If it takes you longer than expected to finish projects, either ask for help ahead of time, or make extra time in your schedule to get everything done. That may mean skipping those long lunches and extended coffee breaks, which aren’t winning you any points, either.

2. You take no initiative.

Especially if you’ve been in your job for a year or more, your boss expects you to know how to handle certain issues. If you come running to ask for help every time an unexpected situation arises, it’s a drain on your boss who always needs to tell you what to do next.

The fix: Learn from situations you’ve handled in the past and take the reins of your job. Instead of panicking and asking for help, make a decision and solve the problem at hand.
Of course, there’s always the flip side to any issue: If your boss is a micro-manager, he or she probably doesn’t like it if you never ask before you act. In that case, take the opposite approach: Contact your boss with the problem and suggest the solution before you take action.

3. You don’t communicate.

No boss likes an employee who never tells him anything. For example, if you had an unfortunate run-in with a client, and the boss hears about it third-hand, you are not going to be on the “nice” list. No one likes negative surprises, least of all bosses.

The fix: This is easy. Just keep your boss in the loop. Send a quick email update at appropriate intervals. Ask your boss how often he’d like a check-in email, and make a point to keep him in the loop if anything comes up that he will want to know in the interim.

4. You blame other people.

If you’d win the “pass the buck” contest at your workplace, don’t be surprised if you’re not a boss favorite.

The fix: Start to take some responsibility when things go wrong on your watch. Explain the problem and what you’ve already done to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

5. You are a drama king or queen.

Given a choice, most bosses would choose to fire the employee who stirs up the most drama in the office. If that person is you, take note: Your head could be on the chopping block. Are you the first to spread a rumor? Quick to run to one colleague to share some news that’s sure to fuel discontent? Are you the first to complain or criticize when there are new policies or procedures? Do you try to rile up your colleagues to gang up against your manager? Are you creating problems where none existed? While personality traits are tough to self-assess, try to objectively evaluate your behavior. You’re probably stirring up drama outside of work, too. If a friend calls you a drama queen, take pause and ask yourself: Am I considered a troublemaker at work?

The fix: Once you identify the problem, tone it down. Stop before you share juicy gossip. Don’t complain — for once. Think about how you can improve morale in your office instead of destroying it. When you make efforts to change, it’s possible you can alter the impression people have of you, and improve your relationship with the boss.

image by aaipodpics

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It begs the question: what should you never, ever put in an email (or in writing at all), especially when it relates to work? The answer is easy: if you donâ€t want it broadcast, forwarded or publicized, donâ€t share it electronically, either in email, Facebook or other social media tools or via text messages.

Specifically, consider the following topics off limits, especially for your work email:

1. Critiques of your company, your boss or your colleagues. You donâ€t have to love everything that happens at the workplace, but if you have to complain, make sure it isnâ€t via an email exchange between you and another disgruntled colleague. Realistically, your biggest concern is that someone may forward one of your emails to someone you donâ€t want to see it. However, if thereâ€s one thing weâ€ve learned from news of this recent scandal, everything online can be tracked. Even if you arenâ€t the director of the CIA, assume itâ€s possible someone may eventually monitor or review your emails.

2. Extremely private or personal matters. Of course, this includes romantic (especially illicit) affairs. Assume everything you put in writing is fodder for a billboard for everyone you know to see. This includes text messages, social media communication and email. Never assume you have any privacy online. While you may not have the FBI looking into your personal matters, a private citizen can easily lose a job – or even a career – over an inappropriate romantic matter.

3. Discriminatory opinions. If you are a racist, homophobic or you believe women belong in the kitchen and not in the boardroom, keep it to yourself. When you broadcast these opinions via email, you run the risk that your controversial, backwards views will become public.

4. Gossip. Most people succumb to sharing gossip, at least occasionally, with close friends or colleagues. However, when you use email to pass along the juicy details you overheard at the water cooler, you leave a paper trail and risk shifting what you may consider harmless gossip to printed documentation with the capacity to easily put your job at risk.

5. Non-work related photos. Hopefully, you donâ€t need a reminder that personal photos of any kind should not cross your work email. Even an otherwise innocent picture can be misinterpreted and become grist for the gossip mill in the best-case scenario and grounds for firing you in the worst-case scenario.

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Listening to her story, it was clear to me that this potential client can do so much more to improve her chances of finding a new job. How do I know? She said, “I guess there are a lot of things I haven’t tried, yet.”

Most importantly? She hasn’t prepared to network spontaneously! Ironic, right? How can you prepare for something spontaneous? Maybe it’s a technicality, but I believe it is absolutely possible. It’s one of the underpinnings of our new book, 100 Conversations for Career Success. With a little preparation (or, maybe a lot!), you can network effectively and convince people you meet that they should take a look at you!

Charles Purdy, Senior editor for Monster.com, recently asked us a series of questions about job search networking:

Is there really a formula for saying the right thing in a job hunt? How much should people plan to customize or speak “off the cuff?”

How are people networking incorrectly — why do they need scripts to help them (what are they saying wrong)?

Is it ever a good idea to cold-call a company for job? Whatâ€s are a couple of tips for doing so?

When youâ€re using something like Twitter or another social platform, how does the medium shape the message?

How have the rules about “the right thing to say” in a job hunt changed in the past 20 years?

Find out what we said on the Monster blog!

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1. Unprofessional email address.
No, HotMama@gmail.com is not an appropriate address to use to send your job search correspondence. In fact, it’s probably dead-ending possible opportunities. Create a professional email account name for all professional interactions online. If possible, choose some version of your name, or your name combined with your professional title. For example, JohnSmithSales@gmail.com

2. Sending emails with too many links.
This isn’t dangerous until you need to make sure your crucial email lands in someone’s “in” box. Be aware: some companies have very sensitive spam filters that may identify emails with a lot of links as trash. If you use a fancy email signature including lots of links, it’s not a bad idea to delete or simplify it when you apply for a job or when you try to touch base with a new networking contact. When your intended recipient doesn’t receive your message, it certainly puts a damper on future communication!

3. Failing to respond.
How often do you check email from your phone and fail to file or mark it as an item to revisit later? In a busy day, it’s too easy to see an email (even an important one) and plan to respond later, but forget to follow up. If you have a tendency to forget details and receive a lot of correspondence, make sure you review the your “seen” email at the end of each day so nothing gets lost.

4. Forgetting the attachment.
This doesn’t sound like a fatal error, but when you’ve just applied for a job indicating how detail oriented you are, but forgot to attach your resume, it could be the end of the line for your application. Consider attaching documents before you compose the email so you’ll never send an email saying, “see attachment” without the accompanying documentation.

5. Not monitoring your email inbox.
If your social networking notifications go to an email address you don’t check, you could be missing opportunities. Be sure you know where those important messages will land, and if it isn’t in email boxes you normally check, make a note to change the email or have them forwarded to an address you monitor closely.

6. Accidentally sending an email to the wrong person.
It happens. You use the touchpad on your Smartphone to select an email and reply to it, only to receive an immediate auto reply – from the wrong person! Oops – you realize your phone pulled up the wrong message. If you’re lucky, the content you accidentally sent was non-confidential or neutral and a quick note saying you’re sorry to have sent a misdirected email takes care of it. But, what if it was an email meant for a friend complaining about your boss – that went to your possible next boss? Can you say “career killer?”

How can you avoid this problem? Even when you’re rushed and replying on the run, be sure to double check the TO: line of your email. Try to avoid composing emails on the run, or when you have only a few seconds to respond, since that will naturally make you less inclined to verify the recipient. If at all possible, consider waiting until you can use a computer or tablet (with a screen bigger than your Smartphone) to send highly sensitive or confidential emails.

photo by RambergMediaImages

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