Kyle Bernstein

You have a specialized degree from an important college, an impressive resume, and perfect teeth. 

You and about a million others.  What else have you got?  This has become a competitive world and everyone wants to be a super star.  It’s not enough anymore to have the credentials and be good at what you do.  As busy and hardworking as we are, it is important to remember that there will always be someone working just a little bit (or maybe even a lot) harder, ready to bump us out of the lead. 

So, we have to look forward and be prepared to move ahead when opportunity knocks or even to create our own opportunities.  One good way to set yourself apart is to find your niche.  Regardless of whether you are just starting out or are established in your field, in your chosen career or at an interim job.  Even if you are one of many people in your department with the same job description, there are always things you can do to get yourself noticed – legally, ethically, and without wearing slutty clothes or being a suck-up, which, by the way, almost never works.

You are special.  Every experience you have ever had is unique to you and you view the world as only you can.  You have talents and skills and (hopefully) goals that you could be using right now to boost your self-esteem, beef up your resume, and help you and your company forge ahead.  You know your job description and you understand your assignments, so why not take it a step further?  Of course, you can’t know everything about everything and nobody’s suggesting that you even attempt to fake it.  However, you know yourself well enough to know what you like and what you’re good at.  Do that! 

Pick your favorite parts of your job and focus on adding a little something or delving deeper into that area.  If you like to write, offer to take over drafting memos or writing copy for other in-house literature.  When you want to perfect your spreadsheets or chart-making, volunteer to compile data.  If the company offers classes or seminars, take them.  Do your homework.  Read up on the company; the work they do, products they sell or projects they have success with.  Learn who your customers are and what they do.  Ask questions and become familiar with the inner workings of the organization or even just your department.  For starters, you can get to know all of the players in every facet of your facility. 

If you have downtime, ask your supervisor if you can accompany him or her to events or sit in on meetings.  Put in a little overtime to see other departments in action.  Become fluent in the language of your industry and keep yourself abreast of current trends.  Subscribe to a couple of industry publications and take notes about what is going on in your professional world.  Just make sure you don’t fall behind on your workload or neglect what you’re being paid to do.  This isn’t about kissing ass or rallying for a promotion.  Much of the frustration people feel from their jobs comes from feeling overwhelmed or underappreciated.  Understanding the objectives of your company can direct you in working on a project when you don’t know where to begin.  Knowing where you fit in can restore your feeling of importance.

Becoming and expert will not only give you the valuable information you need to become one of the major players in your industry one day, but could prepare you, like a well-rehearsed understudy, to step in when a fresh voice is needed, promotions are being given, or when there’s a need for a fill-in to do a sales pitch or presentation.  In addition to any networking you participate in and your involvement in industry associations with, your expertise will make you known as the go-to person for news and advice.  This will build your confidence and make you better at your job which will make you a happier person.

That’s what we’re taking about!