Let’s face it, in our economy, sometimes the best play, career-wise, is to stay put. Greener pastures may not turn out so green, if they even exist at all.

This article is for those of you after that elusive goal of a promotion. Just like any other goal, landing a promotion requires strategy, patience and perseverance. You don’t have to toss out all the rules to get ahead, but you can’t sit by idly and expect it to happen for you either.

Here are five tips you can use to climb that ladder. (Click here to tweet this list.)

1. Do what you do better than anyone else

The first step is to perform well in the position you have. Don’t just do what’s expected of you: go beyond and get noticed. Will putting in some extra effort always be rewarded? Honestly, no. Sometimes your efforts will go unnoticed. But over time you’ll build a reputation as a serious worker who’s willing to put the company or team first. That will eventually pay off.

2. Find your Yoda

What would Luke have been without Yoda? Everyone needs a mentor to teach them the ins and outs of the field and company culture. Seek people a few rungs higher who’d be willing to take you under their wing. You’ll be surprised how receptive people can be. After all, you acknowledge them as experts and worthy to learn from. It’s flattering.

In addition to learning valuable skills and techniques from someone who’s been around the block, you’ll have an ally in a position to help you land a promotion at some point.

3. Go back to school

Learning new skills, keeping up with trends and becoming an expert are all sure-fire ways to get noticed by the higher ups and pave the way for a promotion. This used to mean costly courses and night school, but no more.

Today, professional development is so prevalent you can easily find an online course or seminar that fits your budget and schedule. You can also leverage the web and create your own personal learning network.

Follow the trend setters in your industry on social media. Interact, learn and grow. Before you know it, you’ll have established yourself as an expert in your chosen field.

4. There’s no “I” in “team”

Yes, it’s cliche, but cliches get their start in truth. As the structure of corporate America becomes flatter and more projects are done by teams, being seen as a team player has become vitally important.

Don’t try to steal credit or place blame. Work hard as a team member and get the job done, even if it means taking on more than your fair share. People will notice and eventually those higher up will want your drive and work ethic higher up.

By being a team player, you build your reputation and increase your value to the company.

5. Act like you already have the promotion

No, don’t start telling your peers what to do and walk into meetings five minutes late. Start asking for more responsibility. Jump in to volunteer to help a neighboring department. Willingly take on a little more than you need to to help out your boss.

Hustle means something, and the more you do it, the easier it’ll become. People will grow to depend on you. When you’ve made yourself indispensable, you make yourself promotable.

Remember, sometimes the best job opportunities are right under your nose. Put a plan in place and be ready the next time a promotion is made available.

Steve P. Brady is  a teacher, executive resume writer and career consultant who specializes in helping educators and others grow their careers. Follow him on twitter @Steve_p_Brady

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The post Want a Promotion? 5 Fool-Proof Strategies for Moving Up at Work appeared first on Brazen Life.

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?” — Brian Tracy

Using social media can help you create a well-rounded professional image for potential employers. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Good references can do the same thing by fleshing out the details on your resume. But there are right and wrong ways to collect professional references. Let the tips below be your guide.

1. Choose wisely

People who know you well professionally are the key people to target. They don’t have to be your best friends, but they need to be people who know what you’ve done and can speak to your strengths. You don’t need to limit yourself to former supervisors. Business acquaintances of all kinds are appropriate references.

2. Don’t forget to ask

It doesn’t matter how great a reference he can be: If a potential employer calls him out of the blue, the reference he gives isn’t going to be great. Manners matter. Give him a call, ask him out for coffee, update him on what you’re doing and let him know you’d like him to provide a reference.

3. Stay connected

Make sure your references have an updated copy of your resume. No one can remember every detail, but if they have your resume in front of them when they answer the phone, they can be sure to give you an accurate referral.

Additionally, if they’re not already part of your virtual social circle, include them now. Add them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

4. Provide specifics

This is especially important for higher-level applicants. Sometimes potential employers will grill your references for specific details about you. If your reference says you’re a great people person, they may ask for proof. Make sure your reference has the information needed to present you in the best light. Think in terms of interview questions and provide them with detailed answers.

5. Use different references for different positions

A generalist resume will never win over one that’s specifically tailored to meet the needs of the job you’re applying for. References are no different. Certain people are going to be able to speak to certain skills. When choosing and listing references, keep this in mind.

Steve P. Brady is an executive resume writer who blogs on resume writing and career development. 

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The post How to Get Awesome References That Will Make You an Irresistible Job Candidate appeared first on Brazen Life.

Any good movie provides a context, or a frame, for viewers to understand the main character and his actions. The context is not only what motivates the main character and allows him to overcome great obstacles; it’s also how the audience relates to that character’s story.

Batman’s frame is his parents’ death. In The Lord of The Rings, the frame is Frodo and Sam’s friendship, and in Harry Potter, it’s Harry’s status as an outsider. Just like these Hollywood blockbusters, your resume needs context to tell your story, too.

You probably already know your resume has less than 10 seconds to grab someone’s attention. By adding context, you give hiring managers a frame for your experience and accomplishments so they can quickly digest your story.

Often a strong frame can actually shape how potential employers understand your skills and qualifications. So spending a little effort to set the stage is well worth it. And since almost all communication and job applications are online these days, it’s easy to set up your stage.

Take these three simple actions to frame how recruiters and employers will view your story:

1. Show employers you’re more than a name

What’s your desired job title? Writer? Marketing Specialist? Business Analyst?

Whatever it is, add that title behind your name in your email from field. Yes, that’s it. Easy, right? Simply go to your email settings and change your name to something that alludes to the position you want.

For example, if you’re in sales, then you’ll want to send employers emails from John Doe — Sales Leader. Even before the recruiter or hiring manager reads your email, you set an expectation. Right off the bat, you identify yourself as someone who can help them with their sales.

2. Reinforce your brand at the end of your email

Once a hiring manager has read your introductory email, you’ll want to make two things clear. First, make sure your email signature matches your from setting. Then, directly below your name, include a link to your your LinkedIn profile. Make it easy and seamless to find out more information about you.

Of course, your LinkedIn profile should also carry the same context, or frame, to fully take advantage of the branding opportunity. So double-check that your LinkedIn headline matches your email from setting and signature.

There’s a reason all those infomercials run a fake timer to insist you to “call now before time runs out!” Advertisers know they have a limited window of time to get someone to act. When it comes to the job hunt, you’re in the same boat as those informercials.

If you can convince an employer to act — to visit your LinkedIn profile as soon as they finish reading your email — then they’ve already invested more time in you than they do with the average applicant. Once a potential employer takes that step to learn more about you, you increase your chances of them wanting to get to know you better in an interview.

3. Make your resume file name more memorable

Too often, job seekers call their resume file resume.doc. While this may make sense sitting on your personal desktop, a recruiter who receives hundreds of resumes a day won’t feel the same way.

Make it easier for them to remember who you are and what you do. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Use the same title you used for your email from setting. For instance, Jonh_Doe_Sales_Leader.doc.

Remember the key is to make sure every time they see your name, it’s associated with what you do. That’s how you start your story. Then, your resume simply unfolds that story.

Now you have a surefire way for employers to view you as a sales professional, IT specialist or project manager before they know anything about you. You’ve created a frame through which they can view your experience. Hey, it works for Hollywood; why not you?

Steve P. Brady is an executive resume writer who blogs on resume writing and career development.

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The post How Using Your Job Application to Tell a Story Can Get You Hired appeared first on Brazen Life.