Navigating the modern workplace is tricky. There are dozens of problems which we must deal with. One of the biggest is competition. Anyone who has ever applied for a job will know this. Today, you’re not competing against dozens of candidates. No, you’re competing against hundreds, or even thousands of other people. This doesn’t change once you’ve got the job.
What this ultimately means is that you must find a way to stand out and gain a competitive advantage. Only by doing this can you find a way to distinguish yourself and make headway in your career. At the end of the day, it’s really about the unique benefits which you bring to the business. In this article we’re going to talk about five ways to create this advantage.
1. Develop New Skills
What’s also true about the modern workplace is that things are constantly changing. This could be new technology, trends, or development in your industry. What this means is that you must change and grow as well. You cannot afford to let your skills stagnate, or allow other people to get ahead of you. If you’re not constantly updating your skills, then your head may be first on the chopping block. On the other hand, developing your skills is the best way to add value to the company.
There are many ways of doing this. For starters, stay abreast of the latest news and events in your industry. Read trade journals, websites, and magazines related to your job. If there’s something new, you need to know about it and how it works. You should also make a habit of taking part in workshops, classes, and seminars. Attending conferences is also useful. Also be willing to volunteer for new responsibilities. This shows that you’re capable and up to date on what’s happening in the workplace. Finally, make sure to let superiors know that you’ve gained new skills and keep your resume updated.
2. Develop Interpersonal Skills
As well as updating hard skills, you should also work on your soft skills. Developing your interpersonal effectiveness gives you a massive advantage over people who lack these skills. This is truly the secret to getting ahead. After all, there are two types of employees. Those who hang around in the background and those who put themselves forward.
Your most important interpersonal skill is working together with others on a team. Along with this you should demonstrate a firm grasp on problem-solving skills. You also need to master the ability to persuade others, and also motivate and encourage them. Something that many people may overlook are their communication skills. You should be excellent when it comes to communicating both verbally and in writing. Make a list of these skills and identify where you’re the weakest. Next, start working on these problem areas immediately.
3. Seek Feedback
It’s important that you communicate with your manager or boss. You need to know if you’re doing a great job, and developing professionally in line with their expectations. The only way to do this is by soliciting feedback and doing it often. By speaking to your superiors you’ll find ways of improving and also getting ahead of the crowd. This is also critically important if you’re want to get promoted. You cannot simply expect that you’re to get a raise. You have to actively work on it, and getting feedback is a key part of this.
One of the reasons why people avoid getting feedback is because it can be painful. For example, you could be expecting positive feedback and instead you’re told things which you’re not comfortable with. Unfortunately, this is just something which you’re going to have to accept. Realize that the best way of handling this is simply by getting it over and done with. Swallow your pride and be open and willing to hearing what your boss has to say. Feedback is also useful because it gives you a chance to discuss career goals and objectives with management.
4. Exceed Expectations
There are two ways to gain a competitive advantage a) be better than everyone else and b) do more than everyone else. The bottom line is that you need to exceed expectations is every way. You have to go above and beyond the call of duty and do things that others are not willing to do. This way you’ll get the attention of management and advance faster in your career.
Dealing with challenges and obstacles goes hand in hand with this. Do not avoid hard work and problems. Instead, you want to take charge when problems arise and lean into challenges. By doing this you demonstrate great character and make yourself stand out from other employees. Dealing with challenges also gives you the chance to grow, practice new skills, and also develop yourself professionally. When the time comes to promote someone, you’ll be the first person that management thinks of.
5. See Yourself as a Personal Services Corporation
According to management guru Brian Tracy, you need to see yourself as a “personal services corporation.” What this means is that you’re basically selling a product, which is yourself. What this also means is that you need to start seeing yourself as a product. When doing this there are several things to think about.
To start with, what are the benefits of your “product.” What value do your bring to the business. The real question here is how do you help the organization make money? This is why it’s so important that you stay up to date with your skills. This is the only real way to provide continued value over time.
Next, what is your target market. This is simple. The person you’re selling your product is your employer. Think about what they want from you and how you can best provide it. Lastly, who are your competitors? These are other employees. To a lesser extent, technology is also a competitor. How can you stand out from this competition and differentiate yourself?
