The Career Bucket List: Things to Accomplish At Your Job Before You Go

Maintain your professional networks like friendships

Most of the time, it’s quite difficult to look at co-workers or other professional acquaintances like friends, those you can share personal details about you with, or even be your complete “self” around. Starting to maintain your professional networks like friendships, whether they be online (LinkedIn) or co-workers in person around the office, gives you a better perspective on your current job. When you know who the team is around you in your professional life (outside of the work email), it helps to create an established work relationship. It also helps get projects and other job-related assignments done efficiently without a lot of awkward moments.

How to achieve this:

Gain connections with others past the work email or LinkedIn profile. Establish a rapport with clients, professional contacts, co-workers and upper-level management by making yourself personable. Instead of emailing your co-worker about a project at work, try calling them personally or going to their office to discuss it. It creates a faster turnaround response and gives a voice and face to the email. Also, make small talk while talking business. Instead of getting straight to the point of the conversation, ask them how their day was, was their weekend relaxing, etc. Be cheerful. It keeps the relationship business-minded but personable, and makes the work atmosphere a little less tense. Just don’t get too in their business…