Comments on: Corporate Networking: Filling Gaps

By: Ian Schreiber

Ian Schreiber — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:38:00 +0000

This reminds me of advice I got from my boss on my first salaried job.

He said: if you want to get promoted, don't do YOUR job, do the job you want to be promoted to.

By: Branden

Branden — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:01:00 +0000

This is great advice; easily some of the best I’ve read. I have to agree that when someone asks for a hand with something, you should definitely always do your best to help them. If it’s totally out of your league, it’s better that you not waste everyone’s time, but if there’s a chance that you can help or even just lead them in the correct direction, by all means do so!

Nobody likes to ask for help; in ways, when someone asks a co-worker for help it puts them in a vulnerable state. Recognize this and prove to this person that they didn’t take such a risk in vain. Be friendly and dependable; not only are you helping your company solve problems, you’re also ingratiating yourself to your co-worker. One thing that I have quickly learned in this industry (and this is likely true in any situation) is that it is much easier to get things accomplished when people like you!

By: David

David — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:47:00 +0000

It's unbelievable how many people just stay in their box and never even try to break out of it.

People get in a comfort stage and they don't feel like experimenting with gaps, or helping outside of what they are required to do. They want to move up, but they don't have the desire to work for it.

And then they wonder why they never get promoted.

By: David Ryan Hunt

David Ryan Hunt — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:28:00 +0000

I’m doing a lot of the metrics at Flying Lab due to a similar situation. But I’m also one of those guys who has too much to do and would love to dump it onto someone else!

By: David

David — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:33:00 +0000

Filling Gaps... Perfect.

While it is difficult to pick up a gap, if you have been (or hell, at least begin to be) attentive you will undoubtedly begin to become aware of things that happen in your office from a personnel standpoint to a technical standpoint that can be improved in some way.

The key is not being afraid to step up. This is where initiative really pays off because your coworkers will begin to see real, pure, value in you. This is also a Prime opportunity to really help your company and look great at the same time.

At both points in my prior jobs, which were in two completely different careers, and far from what I wanted to do with my life (Oh, yeah, keep an open mind about EVERYTHING), I've been commended by, not just the co-workers, but by the upper management for stepping in, doing an excellent job, and filling gaps. Think about that. These people literally asked me why I worked so hard.

Love what you do and you'll never have to explain why you "work" so hard.

By: AlexxKay

AlexxKay — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:04:00 +0000

These posts have had excellent advice. I inadvertently followed the path you describe here, and it worked for me. Filling a ‘responsibility gap’ was crucial in getting me noticed and promoted out of QA. When someone in production wanders by and says, “Do any of you have a minute to help me with something?”, that’s the sound of opportunity knocking.