People often ask me how I got my particular job doing what I love and am getting paid pretty well for it, and the answer is extra.
Clients or prospects have my cell phone number and trust me they do call it, not just at business hours. Thank you notes for time spent. Paying attention to personal details, and acting on them appropriately. Helping clients out in different areas not related to my actual job, because I can. Putting my servant foot forward.
Obviously talks can be had for a work/family balance, but as a non-married professional it is important that you have a more work and less family balance to push through for a little while. Taking the extra step to pick up your cell phone at 8PM on a Friday night when a client calls, that is what makes the difference. The company that I work for has the philosophy that the client comes first and ultimately we do want to make money, but foremost we want to help people. It shows and it works.
Taking the extra time to serve others at work is great and needed to get ahead. However it is just as important in your personal life as well. My boyfriend and I send cards through snailmail even though I see him every weekend. It is the little things like getting a dog card (all of our cards have dogs on them, our little tradition) in the mail when you come home from a long day’s work that make me smile the most.
