Bringing Value to Your Employer

No matter how high up in the company you may be, it is imperative to be constantly able to add value to the company. You will be able to have a higher salary, be given opportunities to advance, and have your position be protected when time get tougher. First of all, simply meeting expectations will not be enough for you to get ahead. There are questions that you can ask yourself to honestly see just how valuable you may be to your employer. They are as follows:

1. Am I consistent in my attendance, my work, and my results?

2. Am I improving each year?

3. Am I moving forward with purpose and not resting on my past accomplishments?

4. Am I spending most of my time at work with top performers?

5. Have I recently added to my job description on my own initiative?

6. Do I set goals for myself beyond the ones my supervisor sets?

7. Do I regularly ask for feedback on my performance from my boss and my peers?

8. Does my performance compare favorably with my peers?

9. Do I collaborate well with others and have good professional relationships?

This might be what it really boils down to, whether you are in software development or in the marketing department of your company. Use the questions to evaluate yourself and create a plan for improvement.