Position yourself to succeed

Last week in 10 Ways to Position Yourself For Job Growth, I suggested seeking opportunities to learn new skills. One of the best ways to develop your skill set is through a mentor. If you have a strong relationship with your manager and admire their leadership style, it could be a good fit. 
What if the next time they plan to be out of the office you offered to help cover their workload while they are out? It would be even better to volunteer to help with tasks outside of your normal responsibilities, that require some instruction or training. It creates a win-win supportive environment for you both. On the job experiences are like stepping stones to future possibilities; they are confidence boosters and expose your capabilities to the leadership team. Don't forget to record the experiences in your performance/resume file so that you are prepared for annual reviews and future opportunities. Taking the initiative to support the extra workload, and stepping up to new challenges demonstrates your drive for learning, and desire for increased responsibility. When you take a step back and look at what you have accomplished and all the people you helped . . . you'll be feeling like a superhero.

---