10 unwritten rules at work

10 unwritten rules at work by Amber Rolfe Some rules are better left unsaid. When it comes to workplace etiquette, you might find that a number of things aren’t written in ink. Sure, your employee handbook covers the formalities (from calling in sick to handing in your notice) â€" but what about the guidelines that everyone knows, but no one really talks about?To help you overcome any workplace faux-pas, here are 10 unwritten rules at work that you should always follow:Taking someone’s food from the fridge Come on, Brenda. You know that butter doesn’t belong to you. Sure, you might only be borrowing ‘a little bit’ â€" but those rogue toast crumbs you left around the edges are a dead giveaway.Not. Fooling. Anyone.Rule to follow: Don’t steal people’s food. Pretending not to notice your colleague running for the lift Face it, awkward small talk is part of your daily routine.Embrace it â€" and stop making people wait three minutes for another lift while you ‘nonchalantly’ look at your pho ne/the floor/literally anywhere else.Rule to follow: Be a good person. Hold the lift. How to: Deal with awkward situations at workIncluding the entire company in your lengthy email exchange What better place to voice your opinions about the latest digital marketing strategies than in a back-and-forth email chain with 40 uninterested colleagues?Anywhere. Anywhere is better than that. If it doesn’t concern everyone involved, replying to all is by no means a necessary requirement. In fact, it’s just downright annoying.Rule to follow: Only reply to all if you actually need to. 14 work email problems everyone has experiencedEating (or microwaving) literally anything that smells bad See also: fish and eggs. They’re basically banned from all workplaces that house humans with noses. Didn’t you get the memo?If you have to eat them at work, at least make sure 1. No one is around, and 2. You don’t eat them at your desk. It’s just common courtesy.Rule to follow: Think before you eat (and reheat).  Leaving your dirty dishes in the sinkThere’s a cleaner who does that sort of thing eventually, right? Nope, that’s just your colleague who can’t stand the smell of your leftover lasagne any longer.PSA: there is such a thing as too much garlic.Rule to follow: Wash up your stuff. Scheduling meetings with no purpose Holding a meeting with no reason is the workplace equivalent to inviting all of your friends to a birthday party with no cake or balloons. Except the cake is an agenda, and the balloons are an end goal. Or maybe some kind of post-it notes.Your colleagues are taking the time out of their day to meet with you. Make sure it’s relevant.Rule to follow: Only schedule meetings with clear purposes. And be selective with who you invite. Five things all meetings can do withoutHow to: Guarantee productive meetingsIndulging in office gossip (or you know, starting it)Office gossip is always dangerous territory, whether it’s that you’ve got ‘inside info’ about who’s about to be sacked, or a big hunch about the biggest office romance.No matter how you voice it â€" it’ll never make you look good.Rule to follow: Don’t spread rumours. Rumours are bad. 11 of the worst people you can work withFive things you should never do at work  Making a cup of tea and not asking anyone else if they want anything Also, waiting for someone else to go so you never have to do the rounds. You might think you’re sly â€" but everybody knows you’re not pulling your weight.And as payback, they’re totally putting the milk in first on each cup they make you. Can’t say you don’t deserve it.Rule to follow: Offer drinks. It takes like two minutes.  Listening to loud musicOK, so you’re really into the Moana soundtrack right now. Like really.In fact â€" so much that you’ve decided to play it on loud, on repeat, all day every day. Because how else will you learn the words off by heart? Through your headphones, at a reasonable volume. That’s how. Rule to follow: If anyone else can hear it, turn the music down. Top 5 â€" Irritating office habits (and how to deal with them)Just generally being loud Typing. Talking. Screaming. Singing. Laughing.If you do any of the above at a tone that could shatter glass, you’re probably being too noisy. Your colleagues are trying to work, not listen to the worst one-man/woman band ever.Rule to follow: Keep the decibels to a minimum.      Still searching for your perfect position?  View all available jobs now  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features Workplace culture

Getting Help Writing Resume Free

Getting Help Writing Resume FreeIf you are searching for a way to get a career writing job, then you need to know about all the resources out there to help you write resume. The point of this article is to inform you that there are many places where you can find free resume writers, free samples, free samples to help you with your resume. This will help you take the time to find a resume writer that meets your needs, that is also of the same skill level as you.When it comes to resume writing, there are many different skills that need to be learned and developed. Therefore, if you are looking for someone to write your resume, it is very important that you make sure they are experienced with this field. You need to find someone who can bring in your skill set and work at your skill level. Here are a few ways that you can find writers who are willing to work at your skill level.Consider asking for a sample or the CV of someone who is an expert in writing resumes. Have someone work on yo ur resume for a few days. Then, ask them to write a sample resume. You can do this by going online and searching for a sample resume to check it over, look for mistakes, and see if you agree that this person should be doing your resume.You can also get a free sample of someone's resume online. Many companies now have a sample resume that is available for free on their website, or online. There are some great sites that offer these free samples and will even help you decide if you would like to hire someone to do your resume for you.Another great resource is networking. If you know anyone that works in human resources, or who has written resumes before, you can get them to help you write your resume. You can also get someone to edit your resume if you have one, if you know someone who has anediting service.You can also talk to someone who has experience and know someone who has a resume that is perfect for you. Most people don't have a resume that they are happy with, and this is wha t you are looking for. Find someone who can write it and can help you turn your skills into something that will actually help you land the job you want.The reason you are looking for help with your resume is because you are not happy with the one you are writing. Because the people who will read your resume will be able to tell immediately if you have no real talent for writing a resume, you don't want to turn your skills into something else and do nothing at all. You need to be able to make the most of what you have, and that is why you need to take the time to find people to help you.Being able to write resume yourself is a skill you should learn and develop. It is important to realize that your resume is the first thing that an employer is going to see, and if you don't like it, they will get another. Therefore, you need to think about your resume before you ever write it, so that you can make it something that is fit for you, but will still grab the attention of the person that reads it.

The Unique and Necessary Combination of Will and Skill - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Unique and Necessary Combination of Will and Skill - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week while watching the hard fought battle between the World’s top two ranked men’s tennis players, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, in the finals of the US Open Tennis Championships, broadcaster Mary Carillo made mention of two characteristics on display during the match. Will and Skill! The comment brought me back to my baseball career, where over 20-years I saw those two traits on display every day. Unfortunately, most of the time I did not see them together in the same athlete. In the lower minor leagues, players are fighting their way to make an impact at ever higher levels of competition, testing their mettle to raise their game. Often I saw athletes with tremendous skill but without the will to take it to the next level. In others I saw tremendous will to work hard on developing the skills to get to that next level and for unknown reasons it never manifested for them. At the level of the game I was at, only about 10 percent of the athletes ever make their ultimate destination of the Major Leagues. Ninety percent will be in a different career within five years or less. The reason is they lack the ability to put that combination of will and skill together. The same holds true in business. I hate to be the bearer of bad news and a naysayer but not everyone can become anything they desire, no matter how hard they work. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try we will never develop the skills to reach the level we desire. On the other hand, sometimes the will to apply our skills as diligently and consistently as we need is lacking. Exerting will at that level, interestingly, is actually a skill in and of itself. It’s a work ethic we develop early in life, and if we miss that in our early development it’s hard to acquire as we get older. There is also the cost benefit analysis that must be evaluated. Do you want to exert your will to develop mastery and success in one area of your life to the detriment of all others? There is no right or wrong answer,   just things to take into consideration on our journey. For me right now, my will is focused diligently and consistently on becoming the best professional speaker and presenter I can be. Every time I’m in front of an audience I can feel myself getting better. That’s both encouraging and motivating. The small successes and improvements I notice in myself, combined with the positive feedback from audiences fuel the will to develop my skills. Where can you apply this combination of will and skill to drive your next level of success? Author: Skip Weisman,  The Leadership Workplace Communication Expert, works with small business owners to help them lead their employees from drama defensiveness to ownership initiative.  During a 20-year career in professional baseball management, Skip served as CEO for five different franchises. That experience gave Skip tremendous insight and skill for build high-performing teams in the workplace.  Skip’s new small business coaching program, based on leadership during the American Revolution,  is called  Revolutionary Leadership. For a limited time Skip is offering complimentary  Revolutionary Leadership Strategy Sessions, which are private, 1:1 consultations with small business owners and chief executives. To learn more and request your strategy session visit  www.LeadershipCommunicationExpert.com/freestrategysession lev radin / Shutterstock.com

How to Get Wild About Work, Part 2 - VocationVillage

How to Get Wild About Work, Part 2 - VocationVillage In the first part of this two-part article, I explored how to create an internal compass that points the way to a career that leaves you feeling energized and alive. In this post I want to take a deeper look at how to put that compass to use.Your internal compass is made of the characteristics that tend to be there when you feel most energized and in your groove (the reasons why you love what you love). With that awareness, you can approach your career as a vehicle for experiencing those things.So let’s dive in. Here are five ways you can use that compass to create a career you love.Improve your current jobWhether you’re eyeing a career change or just want to do everything you can to enjoy your life at work, you can use that internal compass to improve your current job.The first thing I suggest my clients do when they have created that internal compass is to use it to improve and refine their current situation, even if they’re planning to leave.Why? Because whatever change ulti mately they make happens by way of the here-and-now. And the better the here-and-now is, the more mental, emotional, and physical energy they will have to put towards making a change.Even if it’s only 10% better, that’s 10% more energy they have just freed up to put to better use (which, as they say, is most assuredly better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick).To improve your current job, take a sculpt and scan approach.SculptingTake a look at your job through the lens of that internal compass. How does it stack up? Where is it aligned with what energizes you? Where is it out of sync? Jot down notes on what you see.The next step is to go through each of those things and ask, How can I bring more of what lights me up into the picture? How can I do/experience less of what’s out of sync? You might be amazed at how much room there is to sculpt your job in a positive direction, especially over time.ScanningTo complement your sculpting, make a habit of scanning for opportunit ies to bring more of what energizes you into the picture, as well as ways to reduce the energy drains. The more this becomes habitual, the more possibilities for positive change you’ll notice.Share with your bossOne of any boss main objectives is to get as much result as possible out of the resources at hand. As an employee, you are one of those resources. Help your boss to get the most out of you by giving him or her insights that will make it easier to guide you toward what energizes you.Share the characteristics you have identified in your internal compass (to the degree that it’s relevant and prudent â€" if some of the things you have identified are a total mismatch for your job, you might leave them out of the conversation, at least at first).Say something like, I have been doing this personal development exploration. I know part of your job is getting the most out of the people who work for you, so I want to share this to give you more insight on where I’m naturally at m y best.Plan your pathIf you work at a large company and plan on staying put, you can use your internal compass to assist in your career path exploration. Use it as a starting point to explore all the paths available to you that would provide an opportunity to experience the characteristics in your internal compass.You can start by simply talking to people. Maybe your boss. Maybe your boss’ boss, or someone with a perspective from a completely different area of the business. Use your internal compass as a starting point. Here’s what I want to experience. What paths do you see within the organization that would align with these?Brainstorm new possibilitiesIf it’s time for a complete change, not just a more conscious plan for your current path, you can use that internal compass as a starting point to brainstorm possible new careers.Rather than try to figure out which jobs give you the chance to experience all of what energizes you, you can brainstorm one item at a time (and then evaluate those ideas once you’re done brainstorming, eliminating the ones that don’t appeal to you).So, for example, one of the characteristics in my own internal compass is exploration and discovery. Using that as a starting point for brainstorming, I might come up with my current work of coaching, or being a travel photographer, a private investigator, a research scientist, a genealogist, etc.Some of those are more interesting than others, but I’m not worried about that just yet. My focus here is just idea generation. Evaluating those ideas is the next step.Evaluate possibilitiesFinally, you can use your internal compass as a tool to evaluate options to shine a light on how likely they are to energize you. These can run the whole range of opportunities, from assessing the desirability of a small project you have the opportunity to take on in your present job, to evaluating a new job offer on your current path, to exploring a whole new career.When you start using that interna l compass as a guide for your career decisions, the power and benefit isn’t just about your ability to make a better decision in any single circumstance. It’s also about the cumulative direction those decisions take you over time.Think about running every decision you make in your career for the next ten years through the filter of that internal compass. Every time you do, you start to factor in the question, Will this energize me? As you do, decision after decision, the overall arc of your career can’t help but move in an energizing, enlivening direction.In my next post I will explore energy management and the Gain-to-Drain Ratio, a deceptively simple yet super effective approach to feeling more energized, both in your work and the rest of your life. So stay tuned!If you found this article helpful, please share it!. Curt Rosengren says he is on a mission to change the world from the inside out. Please visit CurtRosengren.com to learn more.

Resume Writing Services For Software

Resume Writing Services For SoftwareA resume writing service for software programs is a much sought after option by many people, who would like to write their own resumes but do not know how to. This is due to the fact that most software programs do not come with an interface which makes writing a resume extremely tedious. The result is that a lot of people are unable to write a decent resume because they feel lost when trying to edit the program.But the good news is that these writing services have been designed so that it is very easy to use. You will also find that when you are hired to do the writing for the resume the programs will give you many options so that you can decide what type of resume you want your CV to be. The selection of colors and fonts that are available for you will also come with this package, which will allow you to select the words that you would like to use.When you are looking for a professional resume writer then you need to ask around. By asking around y ou will be able to find the one that best suits your needs and to get a good price. Also, you should try to find someone who has experience in writing for software programs so that you will be assured that you will get a decent writing service for your resume.Of course, you can always pay for the service but if you are only going to use the services on your current software package then this is going to be the least expensive. If you are only going to use the software for the next six months or so then you will not have to pay for the service. Another thing to keep in mind is that when you are using the software you should be sure that you understand what you are doing.A resume writing service for software is also a great way to save money. It is usually easier to go through the document and edit it instead of having someone else do it for you. It also gives you a lot of options when it comes to the way you write the resume.In addition, the writers for the writing service can help y ou figure out what is wrong with your resume and also you can get some tips from them about how to improve it. You will be able to edit it without any worries because the service will take care of everything for you. You will just have to make sure that you have read all the instructions for the writing service properly.When you want to hire the best resume writing services for software, you should think about using a website. This will make things a lot easier and you will be able to pay a lot less than what you would be paying to a person to do it for you. If you are looking to save money then a website is a great option.It is important to hire the best resume writing services for software because these writing services can be used over again. So, if you choose to go with this option you will be able to use it over again. Make sure that you are able to use the best writing service for the software that you have and you will find that this will save you a lot of time and money.

The Four Legs of Job Search - CareerAlley

The Four Legs of Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I was in a meeting the other day, went to sit down on a chair and almost fell. It turns out that one of the four legs was broken (although you could not tell because the chair was still standing). Funny thing, three perfectly good legs, one bum leg, and the chair cant be used! Yeah, you might be able to sit on it if you didnt lean to the side where the leg was broken but at some point, you will probably fall off. There are four resources that you should use in your job hunt tokeep yoursearch balanced. While you might get away with two or three, four diverse resources are more likely to give you a balanced search and increase your chances of landing a job. Tweet This Job search is much the same. There are four resources that you should use in your job hunt tokeep yoursearch balanced. While you might get away with two or three, four diverse resources are more likely to give you a balanced search and increase your chances of landing a job. For me, the four legs of job search are Recruiters, Job Search Sites, Networking (including Social Networks) and Company Career sites. source Recruiters: Recruiters should be a key part of your job search. Recruiters may have access to opportunities that are not listed anywhere else. Many companies do not advertise their open positions (especially the more senior positions). The key is to find a recruiter that is in your niche and industry. Identifying recruiters who can best help with your job search can be challenging, but with a little research, you will find your match. Resources: Job Search Approach Job Search Sites: Its so easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of job search sites. How many times have you applied for a job online, only to find out it is already filled or1,000 people have already applied for the job? Being one of the first to apply for a job vastly improves your chances of getting an interview. What can you do to improve your chances of getting an interview? Here are some key tips to maximizing your job search opportunities. Keep your list of job search sites (Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc.) to no more than 3 sites. Find the sites that work best for you (many sites have similar jobs). Take a look at our 14 Job Search Resources post. Setup specific job searches in each of the sites and save them. Make sure they are unique and specific enough to get the best results. Sites like Indeed.com allow you to create advanced job searches. Setup notifications so that you become aware of jobs as soon as they are posted (the early bird gets the interview). Limit your applications to jobs that have been posted in the last two or three days (even 1 to 2 days). Anything older than that probably has too many submissions. Only apply for jobs that match your qualifications and skills. Sounds easy, but so many times we apply for jobs that are close to our experience (this may be a waste of time). If you are currently working, keep yourjob search confidential. If you cant tell which company you are applying to, dont apply. The last thing you want to do is apply to your own company (yes, Ive seen that before). Best tip Once you find a job that matches all of the above, see if you can apply directly on the companys career site (most companies have this as part of their corporate site). This may help to push your application up in the process. Best tip two Before applying, check to see if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) at that company. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy. Upload your resume to your small list of job search sites. Make sure you indicate that it is confidential tokeep your own company from seeing it. Many recruiters (both private and within companies) do reverse searches (look for candidates on job search sites). Keep your search balanced. Its easy to spend hours on job search sites and, while there may be some great jobs there, you should also spend time working with recruiters and your network. Take a look at Art of the Job Search. Social Networks: Networking, while always a key component of job search, has taken on more importance as business social networks have become increasingly more popular. Social Networking has become the preferred destination of choice for employers when looking for potential hires. While LinkedIn was the first career social network, there are now quite a few social networks that are leveraged by employers. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, more than 70% of employers use social networks to research candidates. And while everyone knows LinkedIn, dont forget that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube can all be a positive platform for your job search. So how best to leverage social networks in your job search?Following are some resources to help you leverage your social network profile. 37 Ways to Meet People Who Can Refer You to Jobs A great article by JobMob on how to successfully leverage social networks in your job search. 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your LinkedIn Profile Being on LinkedIn is not always enough. Dont make these mistakes on your LinkedIn profile. HIRED! Paths to Employment In The Social Media Era This book looks at the steps todays job seeker should take during their job search to secure employment in the social media era. Company Career Sites: Links to Jobs at Company Career Sites This list, from CareerAlley.com (wait a minute, thats me!), is a good start for your list. Dont forget the links at the bottom of the page. Also, check out: Top 10 Best Websites For Jobs from thebalancecareers.com Career Tip of the Day:80 Job Search Resources for Your Job Huntt Suggested Reading: Books What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to launch your career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search The Four Legs of Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I was in a meeting the other day, went to sit down on a chair and almost fell. It turns out that one of the four legs was broken (although you could not tell because the chair was still standing). Funny thing, three perfectly good legs, one bum leg, and the chair cant be used! Yeah, you might be able to sit on it if you didnt lean to the side where the leg was broken but at some point, you will probably fall off. There are four resources that you should use in your job hunt tokeep yoursearch balanced. While you might get away with two or three, four diverse resources are more likely to give you a balanced search and increase your chances of landing a job. Tweet This Job search is much the same. There are four resources that you should use in your job hunt tokeep yoursearch balanced. While you might get away with two or three, four diverse resources are more likely to give you a balanced search and increase your chances of landing a job. For me, the four legs of job search are Recruiters, Job Search Sites, Networking (including Social Networks) and Company Career sites. source Recruiters: Recruiters should be a key part of your job search. Recruiters may have access to opportunities that are not listed anywhere else. Many companies do not advertise their open positions (especially the more senior positions). The key is to find a recruiter that is in your niche and industry. Identifying recruiters who can best help with your job search can be challenging, but with a little research, you will find your match. Resources: Job Search Approach Job Search Sites: Its so easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of job search sites. How many times have you applied for a job online, only to find out it is already filled or1,000 people have already applied for the job? Being one of the first to apply for a job vastly improves your chances of getting an interview. What can you do to improve your chances of getting an interview? Here are some key tips to maximizing your job search opportunities. Keep your list of job search sites (Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc.) to no more than 3 sites. Find the sites that work best for you (many sites have similar jobs). Take a look at our 14 Job Search Resources post. Setup specific job searches in each of the sites and save them. Make sure they are unique and specific enough to get the best results. Sites like Indeed.com allow you to create advanced job searches. Setup notifications so that you become aware of jobs as soon as they are posted (the early bird gets the interview). Limit your applications to jobs that have been posted in the last two or three days (even 1 to 2 days). Anything older than that probably has too many submissions. Only apply for jobs that match your qualifications and skills. Sounds easy, but so many times we apply for jobs that are close to our experience (this may be a waste of time). If you are currently working, keep yourjob search confidential. If you cant tell which company you are applying to, dont apply. The last thing you want to do is apply to your own company (yes, Ive seen that before). Best tip Once you find a job that matches all of the above, see if you can apply directly on the companys career site (most companies have this as part of their corporate site). This may help to push your application up in the process. Best tip two Before applying, check to see if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) at that company. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy. Upload your resume to your small list of job search sites. Make sure you indicate that it is confidential tokeep your own company from seeing it. Many recruiters (both private and within companies) do reverse searches (look for candidates on job search sites). Keep your search balanced. Its easy to spend hours on job search sites and, while there may be some great jobs there, you should also spend time working with recruiters and your network. Take a look at Art of the Job Search. Social Networks: Networking, while always a key component of job search, has taken on more importance as business social networks have become increasingly more popular. Social Networking has become the preferred destination of choice for employers when looking for potential hires. While LinkedIn was the first career social network, there are now quite a few social networks that are leveraged by employers. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, more than 70% of employers use social networks to research candidates. And while everyone knows LinkedIn, dont forget that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube can all be a positive platform for your job search. So how best to leverage social networks in your job search?Following are some resources to help you leverage your social network profile. 37 Ways to Meet People Who Can Refer You to Jobs A great article by JobMob on how to successfully leverage social networks in your job search. 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your LinkedIn Profile Being on LinkedIn is not always enough. Dont make these mistakes on your LinkedIn profile. HIRED! Paths to Employment In The Social Media Era This book looks at the steps todays job seeker should take during their job search to secure employment in the social media era. Company Career Sites: Links to Jobs at Company Career Sites This list, from CareerAlley.com (wait a minute, thats me!), is a good start for your list. Dont forget the links at the bottom of the page. Also, check out: Top 10 Best Websites For Jobs from thebalancecareers.com Career Tip of the Day:80 Job Search Resources for Your Job Huntt Suggested Reading: Books What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to launch your career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How To Make It To Managing Director - Part II

How To Make It To Managing Director - Part II This is a continuation of my earlier article on how to make it to the top of the tree in an investment bank. As I stated previously, making Managing Director is an art, not a science. But there are some things that will help you along the way. Are you in a Managing Director seat? If you are clearly MD material, a firm will usually find some way to promote you, although the timing may vary. The business unit you are in and your role within it can be instrumental to achieving your promotion, and to doing so in a timeframe that you deserve. Some candidates get there by being immensely successful in a focussed technical role. They can have their place in the line up, although this may depend on the strength of their business contribution and the needs of that business at that point in time. Other candidates are highly versatile: people we can envision running the firm someday, or at least being a real contender. Whatever your route, make sure you are not only in a role in which you can excel, but one that can support (or, better yet, requires) MD level seniority. If a really good junior ED can do your job just as well as an MD, then you are probably not in the right role. MDs are too expensive to put into just any seat. Joan was particularly good at executing investment banking deals, especially the complex and documentation intensive ones with many moving parts. However, Joan did not have a role in bringing in the business, and it was harder for her boss to argue her case when there were always fabulous business getters up for promotion. Furthermore, the execution team already had two MDs and it was unclear that a third was necessary for the business. Since the firm valued Joan’s contribution, she ultimately made it to MD. However, it took several years longer to get there than for colleagues who had the whole package including great business-generating results. That having been said, she is still there while some who were promoted sooner have come and gone, lacking the staying power she has had. She ended up running the group: sometimes quality wins out over speed. Have you helped your boss make the case? It is in your interest to make yourself easy to support. Find out what the promotion criteria are, and make people aware that you have these qualities in spades. While this is decidedly not a popularity contest, the system is usually far from stellar in providing perfect information, so handle your own PR. The more people who know who you are and what you can do (and have done), the easier it will be for your boss to successfully make your case to the people who decide. Is your timing good? It also matters what kind of year the business is having. When times are good, firms can afford to promote more people to MDs. In fact, more MDs are needed to run burgeoning books of business. In lean times, the cut off point is more stringent. The same may hold true for the specific business unit that you are in. Depending on the lay of the land and how strong a performer you are, patience may have to be your virtue. Finally, know that making MD is only partly under your control. Do everything you can to excel in the job you have been given and to show that you are an obvious candidate. Then, as difficult as it is, let the chips fall where they may.