HOW TO IMPRESS YOUR BOSS

Are you looking to your boss for promotion?   Contrary to popular belief it is not about trying to be their best friend or dashing about at their every command.  Consider the following tips:-

·                     Don’t ask questions you can answer yourself.  It is irritating for your boss to have to spend time answering your questions when, with a little thought or research, you can probably find the answer yourself.  It shows you have self confidence and can do your job efficiently.  Be resourceful and think things through first.

·                     Do not go to your boss with a problem if you have not spent at least 10 minutes thinking of possible solutions.  It will impress your boss if you go to him with a tricky issue and then suggest ways to resolve it.

·                     Don’t be quick to apologise.  Most bosses will be impressed when staff take responsibility for their mistakes.  Rather than just saying “sorry” for an error you may have made, say, “I think this project could have been better” or “Perhaps I should have approached this issue differently”.  Hopefully your boss will then focus on what you have learned rather than what you have done wrong.

·                     Do not become emotional.  Never send an e-mail in a moment of anger or frustration.  Whilst it is natural to want to respond immediately to a message that has upset you, wait at least half an hour, re-read the e-mail and then send your response.  Hopefully you will have calmed down and your reply will be much more constructive.

·                     Go beyond the call of duty.  Never say “It’s not my job” when asked to do something outside your normal sphere.  Be happy to take on the challenge and you may learn something new as well as impress you boss with your team spirit.

·                     Stay calm.  Try and maintain a serene demeanor even in the midst of seeming chaos.  Nothing will impress your boss more than a member of staff who can calmly and efficiently deal with the problems they may encounter.

·                     Be pleasant and helpful to your co-workers.  Your boss will soon become aware of who is the most popular staff member on the team and, in many instances, the person who has made a favourable impact on colleagues will be the one selected for promotion.

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