| Truth is, you aren't going to get very far | | | | either offer your services or mention that |
| with building your career success, if you're | | | | you'd like some help. Career success often |
| grumbling and muttering about your lot all | | | | comes from offers or requests just like |
| the time. Do this and you will likely as not | | | | these. |
| fail. Take action steps of your own and | | | | |
| there's a much better chance of success. | | | | 4. If a person asks YOU what you've been |
| | | | doing lately, tell them you've been working |
| People like to be with people that make them | | | | on making some changes and bettering your |
| feel good and, frankly, no one enjoys a | | | | life. This is a great opportunity. |
| whiner. Boosting your career success can be | | | | |
| as simple as building rapport with others you | | | | Having built rapport by being interested in |
| meet, even if you might not think they can | | | | them, it becomes OK to ask the other person |
| influence the way your career develops. | | | | for some help or guidance. |
| | | | |
| What's more, it's a far better sort of person | | | | People like to feel their opinion is valuable |
| to be! | | | | and they'll be more than willing to share |
| | | | expertise or opinion. |
| These ideas show how you can do this quickly, | | | | |
| consistently and well:- | | | | Actually people feel valued when they can |
| | | | help someone else - so be sure to take them |
| 1. Greet people like you really are glad to | | | | up on it when they offer help. |
| see them. And even if you don't particularly | | | | |
| like someone, get over it, there's a bigger | | | | 5. Be specific and, ask for contacts or a |
| challenge out there than petty dislikes. | | | | phone number. Request help getting in touch |
| | | | with someone you feel will help advance your |
| Making the other person feel like you're glad | | | | career. |
| to see them can open up a lot of | | | | |
| opportunities. | | | | Tell people your plans for moving up the |
| | | | career success ladder and maybe even a few of |
| The rewards of career success may not be | | | | your next steps - and then let the |
| noticeable at first, but hang in there, this | | | | conversation close with a warm parting and |
| is an investment that can pay out in days, | | | | even the offer to meet up again. |
| weeks or even years! | | | | |
| | | | That's right; don't be too pushy. A nice, |
| 2. Show a real and keen interest in the other | | | | comfortable conversation that gets you a |
| person and what they are about. Everyone | | | | little bit closer to your career success |
| likes to talk about themselves, so ask an | | | | goals is best. Don't push too hard, keep it |
| open question that gets the other person | | | | just right. |
| talking. "How are you?", is a good place to | | | | |
| start. | | | | Building rapport can happen in moment, but |
| | | | usually doesn't happen overnight. Networking |
| Ask a question that will start conversation - | | | | with others can take some time. Soon, though, |
| one where the answer isn't going to be yes, | | | | you'll notice more people gravitating towards |
| or no. | | | | you. |
| | | | |
| Each time the conversation lags, you can | | | | You may be asked for advice or your opinion. |
| spark things by asking another open question, | | | | You may find that you're consulted on more |
| to keep them talking about themselves, which | | | | important projects. You didn't change much; |
| is the way they get to like you!. | | | | just the way you talked to other people. |
| | | | |
| 3. Watch for opportunities. When you're | | | | Isn't it worth a few changes to boost your |
| networking with someone or just having a | | | | career success? |
| talk, watch for those moments where you can | | | | |