How to Impress your Boss

Be pleasant to your boss, co-workers and customers to help impress your boss.

When you get a new job, you may want to start off by impressing your boss from the beginning. Impressing your boss is not about dressing seductive or flirting with him, but it is about gaining his approval of you and showing him that you are a competent, hard-working individual. To impress your boss, there are certain things you can do. Some of these things are quite basic such as showing up on time for work and not calling off. Other steps you can take to impress your boss are a bit more involved.

Things You'll Need

• Good, positive attitude
• Open mind
• Expertise in a specific area

Instructions

1. Give it your all. Make certain activities the "norm" for you, such as coming in early or volunteering to work on your day off. Make it a habit to never leave until your shift is over.

2. Show your knowledge. In your spare time, research the company. When your boss discusses company plans, activities or projects, you will have the upper hand by having a clear understanding of the topics. Your knowledge and comments during conversations such as these may impress your boss.

3. Be a team player. This step involves getting along with your co-workers and getting past your job description. When other employees need help or ask questions, be quick and willing to assist them. If you cannot help them, direct them to a person within the company that may be able to provide assistance.

4. Learn your boss's priorities. Make his priorities yours even when his ideas are not the most logical. If your boss wants financial statements done as soon as possible each month, don't avoid doing them; instead, make getting them done your priority. Show your boss, through your work habits, that his priorities are extremely important to you.

5. Point out your accomplishments. It is important not to brag about yourself, but pointing out good things you accomplish can be done in other ways. For example, if a deal went through, call your boss and leave him a message that says something like "I thought you would be thrilled to know that the deal I have been working on for the last three weeks just went through." By saying it this way, you are able to toot your own horn, but you are doing it in a way that looks like you are trying to also satisfy your boss.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sincere in your approach

• Show up on time

• Be punctual and follow through

• Be genuine and avoid coming across as a brown-noser, because other employees may begin to dislike you.

References

• Bankrate; 7 Ways to Impress Your Boss; Penelope Trunk; September 2003