Pac-Man
When I was a kid, all I wanted more than anything was the table top version of the arcade game Pac-Man. After dreaming about it for months, my parents bought it for my birthday.
I would play it endlessly each day as I advanced to higher levels. Then one day I noticed something. There was a predictable pattern the ghosts moved in on each level. Once I discovered this, I started moving higher and higher because I knew what to expect on each level each time I played the game.
After I graduated college, I wish I would have realized that a similar pattern to advancing levels existed in the corporate work world, because it would have helped me when I started playing the game. Neither of my parents have a college degree, so they were not able to offer me any advice before I entered the corporate world.
So, here are some of the things I learned over the years that may help new players to the game:
1. Nepotism. Top executives in companies can ‘tap a recruiter on the shoulder’ to let them know they should consider interviewing their son or daughter for their first job. Their children have already been coached on the company culture and can always ask their parents for advice. Just remember you are both playing the same game and you can still win.
2. Just working hard and doing your job won’t get you promoted to a people manager position. You need to sign up to lead cross-departmental projects. Such projects will provide you with indirect management experience and get you noticed by executives outside of your department.
3. The time to ask for an annual raise that is greater than the average merit increase is not during your annual review. In the beginning of the year, you need to create goals that are measurable and attainable. Then crush those goals. Top performers are valued, retained and recognized at year end with above average merit increases.
4. Start building your external network. Attend industry conferences, connect with other professionals on LinkedIn, sign up for training classes that provide you with credentials which are tangible outside of your company. As your value increases outside the company, it will also increase inside of your company.
5. Don’t intentionally or unintentionally burn bridges at work. Talking behind someone’s back or replying harshly to an email can backfire on your later. Focus on your work, look at the bigger picture and realize there are lessons you can learn from every situation and every person.
