by Di Fu, Sadea Shahan, Fan Wu, and Katie Chan

It is important to develop the habit of going above and beyond what is asked of you early on in your career.  It will make you more memorable and help you stand out in the crowd.  It is especially important in a work environment because having a reputation as someone who always goes above and beyond will increase your chances of being asked back or getting a raise or promotion – especially in today’s increasingly competitive job market.

*QUICK TIPS:*

*1. Getting the Job*
- Beat other applicants to the punch. The sooner you submit a resume after a job is posted, the better you stand a chance you stand at being noticed.
- Make phone calls after submitting your resume to let employers know that you are truly interested.
- Research your potential interviewer and the company so your interest and capabilities are apparent to the interviewer.
- Send a thank you note after the interview to let your interviewer know you appreciate their time and consideration.
- Be somebody who always goes above and beyond – it will help you get that job you are dreaming of! As a former boss of Marianna Olszewski, author of Live It, Love It, Earn It, says, "It’s better to hire someone with a fire under his or her feet, and tone them down, than try to start a fire under someone who has none,” (page 55).

*2. On the Job*
- Work until your job is done, not until your time is up.
- Always be the first to get to work and the last one to leave.
- Quality is always taken into account. Spend the extra few minutes crafting finishing touches and little flairs so people will take more notice to your project. Also take the extra time to revise and edit—sloppy mistakes will not be forgiven.
- Volunteer to do a little bit more than what is asked for. It is not necessary to pile everything your employer needs to get done onto your own plate, but offer your help when your own work is on the slower side.

*3. After the Job*
- Send emails every so often asking about how your employer and his/her family are doing. Update them briefly on the big things in your life and show that you care about his/hers.
- Send hand written holiday cards. Make sure to personalize them so they know you are not writing and rewriting the same message to everyone on your contacts list.

*4. In General*
- Follow up with people and express gratitude. Let them know that they had an impact on you and tell them specifically how.
- Commit to excellence and don't cut corners. Put in 110% effort and if you cannot do so, don't agree to take on a new task in the first place. It is better to be upfront with your employer, peers, friends, or family. Always strive to be the best you can be and set goals to outdo yourself.
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable - push yourself to to try new things and take new risks. If your heart is invested in it you will be successful. Challenge yourself to see what you are capable of!

*BE A STAR*

In Live It, Love It, Earn It by Marianna Olszewski, there is an interview with Nina DiSesa, Chairman of McCain Erickson New York and Author, who breaks the concept of going above and beyond down very well:

"Everyone who manages people has these three categories [of people]: the stars, the almost stars, and the worker bees. They all function, some more valuable than others, or should I say some less replaceable than others... When you are a star you know your contribution is recognized. If you're in tier two or three ask your boss, ‘What can I do to be seen as a player?’ and then do whatever it is. It's a more sophisticated way to get a raise and promotion than listing your accomplishments... This tactic - of listing accomplishments - is often seen as defensive. You are assuming that your boss does not know what you have done, and this makes you seem pathetic. The star never does this, and the second tier people rarely do it. The third tier people always do it... You have to see yourself as important and deliver on the goods."

Read the full interview in Live It, Love It, Earn It – find a location to buy: "LiveLoveEarn.com":http://www.liveitloveitearnit.com/.


*FUN QUOTES:*

“When you do your chores at home or work tonight, try out the principle of hard work. Go the extra mile and do more than is expected.” -Sean Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

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"Give the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you.” -Madeline Bridges, poet


*FURTHER RESOURCES:*


- Good to Great by Jim Collins (Especially Chapter 2: Level 5 Leadership, and the online audio/visual component: http://www.jimcollins.com/media_topics/level-5.html)
- Live It, Love It, Earn It by Marianna Olszewski (www.liveitloveitearnit.com)
- A Gift of Inspiration: The Habits of Going the Extra Mile: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/stories/achievement/Habits.shtml