By Shun McGhee
Contributor, Career Services
In part one of this series, I discussed how my high school position coach tried to teach me moving up the roster/ladder of success was just as much a social climb as it is an athletic one – and ultimately it was more important to be liked than good. Because I already stressed the importance of being liked I want to discuss how you identify and cultivate the reason you are liked and use it to your advantage.
Discovering the reason you are liked may be an easier feat than you think. When attempting to identify what your colleagues and supervisors like about you, you should listen to the compliments you receive. For example, if people are often saying how nicely you dress or how thoughtful you are consider those compliments part of your likeable profile. Be careful, one or two compliments do not necessarily warrant serious consideration but several compliments in a particular area should catch your attention.
After you have identified areas of strength I encourage you to search for ways to positively implement them. If your strength is being a really good dresser make it your business to come to work dressed well as much as possible. This may seem costly but statistics show 55% of getting a job is based on how you appear to employers. If that is true, keeping up your appearance can be well worth the investment. I am by no means encouraging reckless spending, but I am saying adding a couple pieces to your work wardrobe might not be such a bad idea. In addition, if you are known to be thoughtful devote some part of your budget to bringing in donuts on Friday or making sure you find out the birthdates of the people in your office and sending out cards.
You may be saying to yourself, “Becoming likeable sure is a costly endeavor,” and you are right. Remember, nothing in life is free. This is especially true when trying to ascend the corporate ladder and expanding your network. If you were joining a fraternity or sorority there is usually an initiation process and accompanying payment of dues. If you were going to join a particular country club or gym fees are associated with that too. When attempting to ascend the latter of success and a certain amount of due paying comes with it. You just have to determine how much you are willing to pay (on attire, thank you cards, etc.) to get the exposure you need.
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