Tips to climb that ladder
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - woman climbing up ladder
By Jane Smith
Even though we all have different jobs, there are some fundamental rules you can apply to keep your career happy and healthy, not to mention massage your bank balance.
Be prepared
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - career woman in purple shirt with glasses
Before a meeting, leave yourself plenty of time to do some proper research. Who are you meeting? What do you hope to gain? If it is a negotiation, do you have a fall-back position if you do not get everything you want?
Classic clobber
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - confident career woman in suit
If you want to be businesswoman of the year, turning up to a meeting in jeans and a sweater is an obvious no-no. Looking smart is also a great confidence-booster. Victoria Provis, of headhunter Odgers International, says it is important to dress appropriately. "I still tend not to wear a trouser suit when I go to the City," she says.
Stop apologising
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Confident career woman sitting at her desk
If you project confidence, others will have more confidence in you, however much of a mouse you feel inside. Provis says women often undersell themselves. "I\'ve seen a lot of bright graduates who have given up and gone into secretarial work, but there are enough successful women out there for everyone to feel they can be, too," she says.
Network
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Networking. Lady sipping wine with man
What power lunching was to the \'80s and \'90s, networking is to the noughties. Roger Hayes, author of Systematic Networking, recommends keeping notes on all your contacts so you can keep track of them. "Also keep in mind," says Hayes, "that making contacts is a two-way street."
Take risks
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman in glasses looking at book and pointing
People who can come up with fresh ideas are a valuable commodity in any organisation. The key is not to be afraid of taking risks. Above all, don\'t dismiss ideas out of hand and don\'t be afraid to think big.
Think ahead
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman considering her future
Be thinking now about your next job and the one after that. Think about where you want to be in one year\'s time, and how you are going to achieve it. Set yourself goals that you can aim to achieve, but try not to set yourself unlikely targets.
Be aware
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman clock-watching
Know your strengths and weaknesses and learn to accept feedback and use it to change. Play on your strengths and channel them into your work, you\'ll soon become known in the office for the things that you are good at.
Learn to cope with pressure
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman relaxing and making phonecalls outside
Pressure is something we all have to live with. If you are afraid of public speaking but have to do it, learn how to. Equally important is to recognise when stress is getting out of hand.
Learn to communicate
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman in charge in meeting room
Consider these six golden rules for communicating:
* Be clear and concise.
* Plan ahead.
* Don\'t spend too long on one letter or phone call.
* Stay in control of a meeting by standing up.
* Give the other person your whole attention.
* Identify the main points you want to cover and stick to them.
Learn how to handle difficult people
careers,your life,work
Top 10 career tips - Career woman looking calm
It is not just marriage counsellors who have to deal with difficult people. Often it is your boss. The customer service director of one major company advises her staff to listen carefully to what people have got to say and show them you are taking them seriously. Above all, do not get defensive.
