Five Ways to Step up your Career Game in 2015

Press Contact:   Karen Parziale, 360 degrees PR  | Tel: 201-927-8536

February 19, 2015 — Edison, NJ — Do you want to make some big moves in 2015?  Whether you want to earn a long-awaited promotion, increase your salary or just make for better communication in the workplace, Bonnie Low-Kramen, author of the best-selling book, Be the Ultimate Assistant and a nationally recognized speaker on workplace / career topics, lists the top five ways to be happier and more satisfied at your job.

“2015 marked the beginning of a new year and it is the perfect time to outline your workplace goals and figure out what will make you happier and to get what you want in the year ahead,” says Low-Kramen, who has coached thousands of employees and is also the former 25-year executive assistant to actress, Olympia Dukakis.  “The average time people spend at work is 37 hours a week or 7.4 hours a day.  Doesn’t it make sense to be part of a workplace culture that you like being at day in and day out?”

Speak Up!  In our 24/7 instant access whirlwind of a workplace, it is easy for time to fly without ever having the ideal opportunity to ask your manager if he/she can sit down to talk for a few minutes to discuss whatever is on your mind and resolve issues.  Speak up clearly, specifically and respectfully and, at the right time.  She urges employees to not assume that their manager knows what they need.  Her simple advice: You don’t get if you don’t ask.  Better communication and an open dialogue creates a better and happier workplace culture and the bottom line is that happy workers can positively impact the company’s bottom line.

Get What You Want.  To get what you want, it is important to speak directly to the issues at hand. Speaking truth to power will be appreciated and respected.  Low-Kramen, who also conducts workshops for assistants/secretaries/support staff in the U.S. and abroad, states that the number one issue in the workplace is the inability and lack of confidence to actually speak up about concerns as they are afraid they will be fired or create conflict.

Write it.  Back up what you want in writing and be very clear.  Nothing communicates your seriousness more than a professionally written letter.  For example, the best way to prepare for an annual review is to create a beautifully formatted document that includes: the job description you were hired to do, the job description that you are currently (and actually) doing including the number of hours per week that it takes for you to do it, a list of your achievements from the past year, and a list of ideas and projects that you would like to be involved with in 2015.  Listing your achievements and how you have contributed to the company you work for reiterates how committed and passionate you are about your work.

Make a Better Impression.  It is a new year and the perfect beginning for a career make-over.  Impressions are very important and Low-Kramen suggests re-evaluating your wardrobe and personal appearance and how you present yourself.  “Raise the bar on yourself,” Low-Kramen states. “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.”  So, if you goal is to get a promotion and higher increase in salary, she urges employees to re-evaluate themselves.  Small but important changes in appearance can bolster self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect and that can make the game-changing difference.

Be a Mentor. Find a Mentor.  In the complicated workplace of 2015, one of the keys to success will be mentoring. Generously extend yourself to others who would benefit from your skills.  Don’t assume that others know your talents. You need to tell them.  Say: “I’d like to help you on that project using my expertise in PowerPoint.” Become known as someone who helps others and doors will open.  Say “yes.”  This is also an ideal way for upper management to recognize support staff at work.

Low-Kramen stresses the importance of communication in the workplace and is an advocate of assistants speaking up for what they want or whatever they want to see changed.   A national initiative, Speak Up! Pledge is officially kicking off on April 22, 2015.

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About Bonnie Low-Kramen

Bonnie Low-Kramen’s career for 25 years was as the Personal Assistant to celebrity couple Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zorich.  One of the most respected leaders in the profession, Bonnie is the co-founder and former President of New York Celebrity Assistants (NYCA), a professional networking organization for New York-based celebrity assistants. As an author, Bonnie wrote the bestselling book about the profession, Be the Ultimate Assistant, and has written many articles which have been published in magazines and newsletters around the world.  She teaches weekend intensive workshops for Personal and Executive Assistants in the U.S. and around the world and is a passionate spokesperson on issues concerning all professional assistants.  For more information, log onto:  Bonnielowkramen.com.