How can you combat this potential obstacle to your career success? Dan Schawbelâ€s new book, Promote Yourself, helps you begin to think about how to handle that challenge, especially for Gen Y workers who need to acclimate to a workplace that is very different from what their parents likely experienced.

In the book, Dan notes:

“As the world changes, so does the workplace. Companies are acquiring or being acquired, merging with other companies, or crumbling. Your team could be eliminated, your position outsourced, or you might lose interest in your job altogether. Itâ€s no surprise that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American will have about nine jobs between the ages of 18 and 32. The job youâ€re in now is just one stepping stone along your path.”

Promote Yourself describes how you can – and must – differentiate yourself in the workplace in order to stand out and move ahead. However, Dan also explains that itâ€s important to spread the word about your unique skills and abilities beyond the walls of your office. He says:

“Becoming a recognized expert in your field increases your value to your company. If your blog is widely read, if people comment on it and pass it along, if your articles appear in online journals and youâ€re invited to speak on panels, your company will perceive you as an expert; youâ€ll be recruited for higher level jobs. And with good reason. You arenâ€t just acting like an expert–all show and no substance– youâ€ll be an expert. By regularly gathering and analyzing data and transforming it into your own web content, youâ€ll be developing insights that make you a valuable company resource. Your brand will be an accurate reflection of what you bring to the job.”

I completely agree and believe this concept is something most people overlook. In todayâ€s workplace, you always need to be looking ahead. Without a crystal ball, itâ€s difficult to know “for sure” what to prepare for, but everyone is well served to create a marketable personal brand, both in and outside of their companies. Keep in mind, your next big thing may be starting your own business or creating a consultancy to address the needs of companies just like the one where you work.

Pick up a copy of Promote Yourself, which illuminates some important things you can do at work to make sure you are marketable now and in the future — whatever that future may hold for you or your industry. While on Amazon or in the bookstore, you may also want to pick up a copy of Social Networking for Business Success, the new book Hannah Morgan and I just launched. It is the prefect book to accompany Dan’s book, as we may all be working for ourselves sooner or later, and you’ll want to be planning ahead so you won’t be caught off guard!

You’ll also want to be sure to check out Dan’s special launch webcast event, where a variety of experts will comment on “the rapidly evolving workforce and marketplace, describe how Millennials can distinguish themselves and how businesses can help their multi-generational workforces effectively collaborate to unleash the power of difference as a competitive advantage.”

The post Learn to promote yourself for career success appeared first on Keppie Careers.

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

The post Why your boss doesn’t like you and what you can do appeared first on Keppie Careers.