When you enter the workforce, chances are you’re working directly under someone. As promotions are made, the hierarchy persists and your boss will move up before you and hopefully you will be in line for his or her job. With fierce competition in most positions, it is important for you to become better than your boss and perhaps even overtake them when a new position is open–here is how you do it.

Learn From Others Around You

Simply put, there is only so much your boss can know about the company and the department’s duties. I’m sure your boss is quite good at his job but there is a whole other realm of tasks being performed in the department by other people that are great at their jobs. When you have a question on how to do a particular task, break your normal routine and ask someone else for guidance. That way, you may pick up expertise from someone else and learn something that your boss doesn’t yet know.

When You Hear a Ring, Do The Right Thing

How often do you hear people’s phones ring and go to voicemail when you know that they are sitting right there and choosing not to answer it? This may sound like common sense but answer your phone! We all get busy and let the phone go but this can frustrate people and leave a bad taste in their mouth when they thing of you. Instead of letting the phone ring, simply pick up the phone and let the person know that you’re busy but you’ll be happy to call them back as soon as you have a chance. Even though you’re not giving the caller the help that they are requesting, you show that you care enough to respond personally–even if it is only for a second. The same rule applies for email as long as it is practical. If someone asks a simple question, don’t respond telling them that you will help them later. In the time it takes to write that response, you probably could have answered the initial question. With large requests sent through email, a simple reply saying that you will start working on their request shortly goes a long way towards earning you respect from your superiors.

Do What You Say You Will Do

I am sure you’ve heard your boss tell people she will do something when you both know she won’t. This frustrates people immensely and shows that you cannot be relied on. If you can’t do something for any reason, let that person know. Better yet, try to guide them to someone that can help them or show them how they can do it themselves. However, if you tell someone you will do something then you need to do it. Whenever I tell someone I will help them, I pull out a sticky note and leave it on my desk. I routinely check these notes to make sure I’ve done everything I promised.

Be Proactive And Do Things You Haven’t Been Asked To Do

One of the worst pitfalls you can make in most positions is relying on your boss to feed you assignments. In doing so, you consistently subordinate yourself to that one person. One quick way to get some extra power at work and get yourself noticed is by doing things that you aren’t asked to do, so long as these tasks have a point to them and will benefit those above you. For example, if you have a report that you file every month and you know it would be better with a little additional information on it, then add that information! I would advise you that you do it once and turn it into your superiors and ask for their feedback. You will demonstrate that you’re proactive and that you see the “big picture” in knowing that a report can be better. One word of caution here–if you know one of your superiors made a report, be careful not to offend them by suggesting that the report is insufficient as is. Try complimenting the efforts that are in place and asking if they think it would help to have that additional information present.

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

This is the easiest way on the list to be perceived as “better” than your boss. If you know that your boss arrives every day at 8:00AM, make it a point for you to arrive at 7:55AM. The extra five minutes won’t hurt you (if it does you are in the wrong job) but will definitely be noticed by your superiors. Many times, your boss’ superior will need something first thing in the morning. If your boss isn’t in the office yet but you are, guess who will get a new opportunity to shine! Coming to work a little early will also show that you truly care about your company which will definitely earn you some extra points in the respect column.

Improve Upon The Company Standard of “Business Casual”

If your company has a “business casual” dress code, here is your chance to really stand out. To most people, khaki pants and a polo shirt will be acceptable and keep you out of trouble. The question is, do you really want to do the bare minimum to get by? It isn’t any harder for you to wear a little sharper pair of pants with a button-down shirt and you will get noticed. If you look important, people will think you are important.

Face Time Is Paramount In Getting You Noticed

If people do not know who you are, how do you expect to be promoted? The level of managers above you already has someone in mind when a job opens up. You need to get yourself on their “go to” list of candidates if a new position opens. The key to striking gold here is to do everything you can to get that level of management to know your name and what you do. One of the easiest ways is to attend social gatherings held by your company. With the holidays approaching, company parties are just around the corner. So many people dread spending time with their coworkers when they don’t have to but this is a huge mistake. Don’t look at it as a useless event taking up your Saturday evening. Instead, look at it as a three-hour investment in yourself. Go to the party and talk to everyone. Ask them questions about themselves and what they do for your company. If you ask them about their job, they’ll surely ask about yours. Make it your goal to have people knowing who you are when you leave the party–and for good reasons of course!

That’s it! These are some really easy steps that you can start working on today to get yourself noticed in your company. If you follow these steps, you climb closer to the level your current boss is on and make yourself eligible to grab that new position or promotion when it comes available. As always, if you have any tips of your own to share with fellow readers, please drop a comment and let everyone know!