Capture Real-World Career Insight & Advice That Will Prep You for The Big Time

well, the fact that the dress code is required in some companies, really depends on the nature of the job,i mean per example in a call centre environment,where the employees do not meet the clients face to face,some of the companies still require their employees to dress in a formal way,and it has really happened to lots of my contacts,and when they tried to ask their employer why shall we dress in formal while we are not meeting any clients directly? they answered that it does affect the handling way over the phone which means that when you dress formal you will be more formal and professional than if you were in casual!Oh really i didn`t know that?!

Posted by Mourad Maher on December 28, 2007 9:30 PM

Yes, and yes. I'm no good at 'small talk' and I often find myself dreading coming to work just at the thought of having to force myself to grin and act like a cheerleader. I like to think I'm polite, greeting everyone and making eye-contact whenever possible, but I find the American workplace asks for much more, particularly of women, seemingly insisting that we all be in a constant state of bubbliness and effervescance. While men are allowed to be the 'strong, silent' types, such women are perceived as aloof, unfriendly, or, I hate to say this, 'bitchy.' Unfortunately, I've perceived this from women as well as men.

Posted by N/A on December 30, 2007 3:22 PM

4 Tactics To Accelerate Your Career

It's surprising how often ambitious men and women fail to employ four basic tactics in their pursuit of career success. They are easy to apply; they are common sense in action. There are just two requirements. One, you are sincere in your feelings. Two, you must dampen your ego.

Job Tips:

1. Admit Mistakes

Everybody makes mistakes. Those who step up to take responsibility for their mistakes and learn from them turn their errors into pluses on their career path. Those who deny their mistakes and let others take the blame lose.

The sooner mistakes are admitted the better chance there is to correct them.

Mistakes have a way of emerging and coming to rest at the feet of those who make them and then try to dodge the bullet.

(Hopefully, mistakes don't occur too often.)

2. Say "thank you"

"Thank you" is a power-packed message. Everyone likes to help those who show their appreciation. But this simple act is too often overlooked in the rush of day-to-day activities.

A "thank you" doesn't have to be a big deal. Those two words spoken or conveyed with sincerity in a short note are enough.

Make a practice of expressing appreciation to at least one person each day. Thanks for sharing a bit of knowledge. Thanks for speaking up to support an idea. Thanks stopping a rumor before it gains traction. Thanks for being a good teammate. And, yes, thanks for holding the elevator or carrying a package.

3. Ask For Help

Contrary to popular belief, to ask for help is not a sign of weakness or lack of know-how. In fact, it is a show of strength and confidence. A request for help is a compliment to whom the request is made. It is the rare person who doesn't like to be asked for assistance. Obviously, getting help from others is a great way to improve one's base of knowledge and set of skills that lead to career success.

4. Share Credit For Success

Success with a single project or an entire career is seldom, if ever, a one-man show. Success is usually a team effort and there is always plenty of credit to be shared. No one likes or respects the "glory hot".

When you achieve success be sure to go public with credit to those who participated.

If you have any doubt about the power of these actions just think about your own experiences. How do you react when you are exposed to any one of these positive forces?

Career Tip: The fact that these tactics are often overlooked creates an opportunity for those who put them to good use.
Go ahead. Put a damper on your ego. Put these the tactics to work with sincerity and confidence. You'll reap career rewards.
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To subscribe to Ramon Greenwood's free semi-monthly newsletter and blog please go to ">http://www.commonsenseatwork.com> His advice comes from a world of experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of American Express, an entrepreneur, professional director, career coach and author.

Posted by Ramon Greenwood on January 28, 2008 4:06 PM