Channeling Hollywood: How to land a breakout role at work

Even if you don't make your living in Hollywood, some of the career secrets of those who do can apply to your work life. The challenge for both actors and employees is how to break out from those small, but necessary, parts and get tapped for a leading role.

Here are some strategies that have worked for big-time actors and can work for  you, too.

Step away from supporting roles.
Maybe you're thought of as a background worker -- a character actor who is happy to play a secondary role while others take top billing. You should rethink that approach if you want to make serious headway in your career.

Rather than always being the one who does the heavy lifting, only to pass the information on to someone else to take the glory, step away from the computer and ask to present the information yourself. Be willing to offer strategic advice, as well, since you know the story better than anyone, even without a script.

Ditch the glamour.
Maybe you're perceived as someone who has gotten ahead because of glitz rather than grit. Your demeanor might suggest that you can't be bothered with certain tasks, such as working late nights and weekends to meet an important deadline. Be willing to display your commitment and professional range by taking on unglamorous projects.

Go deep.
Hollywood loves actors who take on intellectual parts, whether it's the role of the brilliant but misunderstood artist or a freethinking genius. Managers also like having deep thinkers on their team.

What more can you do to show off your intellect? It could just be a matter of taking your current role a step further. For instance, just because your department has always taken a particular approach to financial reporting doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.

Dig a little deeper, and pursue the "why" behind business processes, procedures and decisions. You may hit upon a groundbreaking idea that has the power to revolutionize your department -- and your career.

Earn the achievement award.
Although a breakout role has the potential to accelerate your career, you can also earn acclaim by turning out one consistently good performance after another. Sure, it's tempting to go for that one "star turn," but the workmanlike approach can pay  dividends, too. Just make sure that your steady but understated performances don't cause you to get passed over for the big prizes.

Play against type.
Famous actors are always fighting stereotypes, and it's easy for employees to get typecast, too. For instance, maybe you're thought of more as a follower than a leader or a numbers person rather than a strategic thinker.

Assuming you have the ability and desire to show more range, seek out roles that allow you to display other facets of your talents. Don't be content to be pigeonholed into the roles you're known for when you're capable of doing more.

Although Hollywood actors and employees face some of the challenges when it comes to earning recognition, actors usually have a high-paid agent to make their case for them. Employees, on the other hand, have to do it alone. With this in mind, keep a steady eye on your progress and interests, and be open to pursuing a new persona or role to advance your career. Breakout parts, after all, aren't just for professional actors.

Source: careerbuilder

New grads: How to interact with co-workers at meetings or gatherings

Recent college graduates have a lot to bring to a post-college job. Their enthusiasm, their knowledge of new and emerging trends and their passion for a particular subject area make them well-prepared for an entry-level position. Yet when it comes to certain soft skills, particularly communication, some grads may need a crash course in proper etiquette.

"Making the transition from the informal environment of college to the professional world of work can be challenging for many people, particularly when it comes to communication," says Tracy McCarthy, senior vice president of human resources at SilkRoad Technology, a provider of human-resources software. "Let's face it, when you are communicating in your classroom or work-study groups, everyone is a peer and in the same position. Most people tend to be comfortable and more willing to take a difficult stance and be wrong without the fear of rejection or embarrassment. In business, there are much greater differences in people's age and experience levels. The safe college environment disappears; thus many new entrants into the professional world may be reluctant to assert themselves and take risks."

McCarthy also points out that the forms of communication often change from college to the professional world. "Gone are the short text messages wrought with acronyms and emoticons. The transition to more formal email and conference-call communication can be daunting for the first-time professional."

To help those grads who are ill-prepared for the more formal communication practices of the working world, here are some tips on interacting with co-workers.

Listen
While a new worker may want to show her enthusiasm by speaking up at meetings, it may be more helpful to listen and pick up on the way others communicate. "The first two weeks at your position should be all about listening," says JT Sweeney, a recent graduate and marketing assistant at information technology consulting firm York Solutions. "New grads should definitely learn how the company works and what the hierarchy looks like before talking too much. Conference calls can always be difficult to adjust to, because they're so foreign to students who haven't spent extensive time in the corporate world."

Sweeny also suggests that new grads take notes during every conference call or meeting. "Later on, when reviewing your notes, see if there is any jargon that you aren't familiar with, and ask about its meaning. Most co-workers are happy to be sources of knowledge for you."

Be confident and concise
Big meetings or brainstorms can be intimidating, so when you are ready to talk, your nerves might take over. This may lead to long-winded answers or getting your thoughts lost in the shuffle. "The ability to be more direct than you've been used to in the college environment is key," McCarthy says. "In college, you have more time to think about the subject and bounce around ideas. In business, things move at a faster pace, so rather than fall into the 'deer in the headlights' situation, practice being more assertive, and speak up a little louder. For first-time professionals, there isn't always the confidence that their opinions or thoughts matter as much as others, and in reality, they need to get past that quickly to be successful. Being concise in communication is important."

Respect authority
"Learn quickly the lines of authority and chain of command," says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide." "Never interrupt or disagree with your boss in group meetings and in the presence of more senior management. It is unappreciated and it will backfire. You will be viewed as a loose cannon. Although your intentions may be sincere, a confrontational style in public may label you as difficult to manage or motivated by political ambition. Neither are labels to be burdened with so early in your career."

Stay professional even outside of work
A new job can be nerve-wracking, so when you're invited to your first office happy hour, you may be counting down the minutes before you let loose. Yet, remember that you're still with co-workers, so it's necessary to maintain a level of professionalism. "These types of situations are a great opportunity to be a bit less formal, yet professional, in getting to know your co-workers and building personal relationships," McCarthy says. "Take the initiative to introduce yourself and start conversations. Provide some personal information, but don't get too personal too soon."

Be friendly, but not friends, with your boss
While befriending your manager may seem like a quick way to get on his good side, blurring the lines between boss and "bestie" may make him uncomfortable. It may also make it more difficult for him to give you constructive feedback, something that's essential for career growth. "Your boss is not your buddy," Cohen says. "Refrain from informal conversation and from oversharing personal business. It is far more challenging to correct a bad impression than to establish one that is brand-new and untarnished."

Source: careerbuilder

Working with a disability

It's about 'deciding what you can do with what you have'.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This national campaign focuses on the challenges that America's workers with disabilities face; this year's theme is, "A Strong Workforce Is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"

As you ask yourself what you can do to strengthen the workforce, whether you have a disability or work with somebody who does, consider Joe Entwisle as a source of inspiration. Entwisle, a quadriplegic who was left paralyzed from the neck down after a high-school wrestling accident, now works as a senior policy analyst at Health & Disability Advocates, a Chicago-based advocacy group.

Entwisle's co-workers say that he's someone who boosts morale and inspires other people with disabilities to reach for their potential, despite their physical condition. He even starred in a national TV commercial in 2010 that encouraged employers to consider hiring qualified people with disabilities.

Entwisle's story
This year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme challenges workers to create a strong, inclusive workforce. Not sure where to start? Entwisle shares his story about a time his disability came up at work, how he handled it and what can be learned from his experience:

"The only time I remember any real surprise was when I was working for the state of Wisconsin. There was a woman who worked in the secretary's office, who was basically a health-care troubleshooter for constituents who fell through the cracks, particularly folks with complex medical conditions. I had never actually met her over the course of the first year and a half of time communicating with her, but we corresponded quite frequently over the phone and through email.

"We were finally supposed to be in a meeting together, which we were both excited about. She bumped into my boss the morning before the meeting, and told my boss that we were finally going to meet in person. My boss apparently said to her, 'It's pretty impressive the amount of work he cranks out, considering.' She asked him, 'Considering what?' And that's when he said, 'Considering his disability.' She responded, 'I had no idea he had a disability.'

"Frankly, I am not sure why she did not know, as I was not hiding it. But again, that's the way I prefer it. When you see me, it's obvious I'm in a wheelchair and paralyzed, so why would I ever mention it? Or, for that matter, why would I describe myself as being disabled or different? I'm just a guy who does a good job at work, and wants good things for his family – nothing more, nothing less.

"From my perspective, having a disability is a lot less about what your condition keeps you from doing. It's much more about deciding what you can do with what you have, which is often pretty limitless. Having a disability means finding new ways to do the same things everyone else does every day, but with a twist that works for you. It may require more planning, greater attention to details or getting up earlier because it takes a little more time, but it's exactly these daily challenges that make me a better analyst with greater appreciation for every success. I don't see my disability as a drawback as much as a value-added credential."

Source: careerbuilder