How to Make the Most of Your Entry Level Job

How to Make the Most of Yur Entry Level JobIts no secret that an entry level job probably isnt the fulfilling job of your dreams, where you get to do something you love while you make bank. These jobs are, by necessity, an experience-building step so that you can make connections, get experience, and bulk up your resume for better opportunities. So while it may feel like a slog when you feel frustrated with menial tasks or with being the fruchtwein junior person in the office, its important to power through. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Reasons Not to Waste Your Time2. How to Get the Most Out of an Underwhelming JobReasons Not to Waste Your Entry-Level TimeThough it may elend seem like youre doing Earth-shattering work in your role, you shouldnt be discouraged, or take the experience for granted as you put in your time in the trenches. Here are 5 reasons why you should be super-proactive during your time as an entry-level employee. 1. You dont want to get stuck.Whats that old saying about those who dont learn from history being doomed to repeat it? Its on you to push yourself to the next level(s) of your career. If you dont take your time as a lower-level employee seriously and abflug gathering the tools and resources you need to move on eventually, you could end up staying in this entry-level role for an uncomfortably long time. Years can have a way of sneakily passing on you, and you really dont want to get five years into your career and be in the same spot where you started. Even if you just started your entry-level job, start thinking about how it may relate to your next2. Your time is valuable.Even when it feels like youre just punching the clock or keeping a seat warm in case someone needs you for a task, its not free time. If you can take meaningful skills and experience from your role, its not a matter of just sitting through your days until you get to some magical time threshold. Your days should cou nt, which means your hours spent at work should count too, no matter what youre doing.3. Youre doing work that needs to get done.If your role werent necessary, wouldnt the company find other ways to get the work done? You were hired because you bring a certain level of skills and potential, and the company thought you were a good bet to do this work. Remember that, even when it feels suspiciously like youre doing things that a moderately-trained helper monkey could do. Youre doing tasks that free up others in the company to get their work doneand you shouldnt discount your importance as a part of that process, no matter how unglamorous that work might be. For example, writer Trent Hamm literally shoveled dirt all day long in his first job. Fun? Nope. A necessary evil for his companys bottom line? You betcha.4. Its not an internship.Youre there to learn, in the sense that youre just starting out, but youre also being paid to perform a function. This change in mindset can be a subtle one (especially if you were the intern a year ago), but its important to start thinking of yourself as being on your career path now, not just doing prep work anymore.5. Its not forever.The day feels long, sureespecially if the projects you enjoy doing are rare and secondary to more tedious tasks. But the beauty of the entry-level job is that at some point, you will have what you need to move on and seize other opportunities. It may take a year or several to build what you need for your next steps, but there is light at the end of that tunnel.Once you start thinking about your entry-level time as a transition period (albeit one without a specific expiration date), it helps you get into the right mindset for making the most of that time.How to Get the Most Out of an Underwhelming JobBut how does one do that, you ask? Its great to have the mindset of I need to take advantage of my time, but that can beunclear. Lets look at some strategies for seizing that work day.Be positive.If you w ake up every day and tell yourself how much the day is going to suck, guess what? Your day is going to suck. Instead of thinking about how boring your day will be, or how much youd rather be doing something (anything) else, come up with three things you want to accomplish at work that day. It doesnt have to be huge accomplishmentsmaybe its cleaning out a supply cabinet thats been driving you crazy. Or maybe its as simple as having a conversation with a colleague. If you have a set of purposes throughout the day, and you hit those mini-goals, youll end your day on a more satisfied note.RELATED10 Ways to Stay Positive About Your First Job Out of CollegeSeek out the perks.Does your company offer a discount, or free tickets to local events? Back when I welches an editorial assistant with a thankless set of tasks and even lousier pay, one saving grace was having access to my companys books for free. And even when I wasnt interested in the books themselves, it was great to have them as a resource (read gift/bribe) for friends and family who were. It was a nice perk to have, even when I despised my job some days. Even if its just free bagels once a week in the break room, or an employee discount at a store, take advantage. If your entry-level job is like most of ours, the salary isnt huge, so free/cheap stuff can go a long way. Perks can make it more bearable to go in day after day when youre not feeling totally engaged in your to-do list.Build your skills.The skills you already have are greatafter all, they got you hired in the first place. But will they get you to the next milestone in your career? The answer to that is probably not. No matter where we are in our careers, we can always pick up new skills or spiff up the ones we have. If youre trying to figure out which skills you should work on, do a little research into what people a little further along on your career path have, by looking at job listings.RELATED13 Skills You Need to Put on Your ResumeYou can sta rt building those skills in a very straightforward way talk to people Start conversations with colleagues you dont know well, especially if youre an introvert. Take opportunities to make presentations, or speak up in meetings. Learn as much as you can about what your company does, who does it, and whats involved in those jobs. If your goal is to move beyond your entry-level job at some point, then taking your soft skills to the next level will help you achieve that faster.Dont mess around.If you have a lot of down time during the day, dont spend that time messing around on Facebook or playing Yahtzee on your phone. Find little things to do, like organizing. Talk to your boss about other things you can do to flesh out your responsibilities. You dont want to go overboard to the point where youre feeling overwhelmed, but if you have time to check your personal email, you have time to do other things. Remember at this point in your career, youre still looking to establish yourself. Your boss and others at the company will notice if youre proactive in finding things to take on, rather than doing just the bare minimum required by your job description.Find a mentor.This might be your boss, or someone at the company who used to be in your role. You can ask this person for advice on how to handle challenges at work, or pick their brains on how to move forward in your field. Its a great way to build relationships and your network, but also those communication skills as well. Plus, it can make you feel less alone if youre feeling blah or unhappy about your job.Be punctual.That means no slipping through the door, slightly disheveled, at 930 instead of your expected 900 start time. That means making sure youre on time for meetings or scheduled time with coworkers. That means not blaming your commute four days out of five. Regularly showing up late is a very clear way to say I dont really care about this, and people do notice, even if you dont get in trouble for it. On the flip side, people also notice if youre in and ready to go at 900, and appreciate it that youre available when needed. Its one of those low effort, big return investments in your work day.You will move on eventually, to a different job or a different company when you figure out what your next career step is. But in the meantime, make sure youre getting everything you can out of this job. Its important careerwise, but also for your sanitywhats the point of going through all this if youre just going to be unhappy? Maximizing your entry-level job is also about maximizing your personal stake in it, and making it work for you.

How to Ask for a Raise and Get It

How to Ask for a Raise and Get It How to Ask for a Raise and Get ItMoney might talk, but only if you do.Asking for a raise is one of the most awkward and intimidating conversations you can have. Most people dont like talking about money to begin with, especially not with their baboes Learning how to ask for a raise might be the last thing you want to do, but if you feel underpaid, read on.The trick to asking for and getting a raise is all about zeiteinteilung and preparedness. Before you go storming into your babo office demanding a bump, cool down and read this first you just might change your mind.Timing is everything.Your timing has to be impeccable, theres no question about it. Data gathered by LinkedIn shows that the best time to ask for a raise is just before the start of January, June, or July, around the time of your companys year-end, before budgets are allocated. The correct timing also refers to other variables, such as when revenues are high, objectives are met, and yo ur own performance is noteworthy. Be reasonable. If the company is tanking, should you be asking for a reward?Prepare to back it up.If youre scanning this article looking for the the one piece of advice you cant skimp on, its this Be prepared. Preparedness sets you apart. Be ready to justify your worth in terms your boss values (hint bottom line and key strategic imperatives). Youll need to showcase your merit with real life examples that underscore why what you do matters. Youll want to paint the picture that you and your contributions are essential. Be sure to know your market value and have a clear understanding of what your job is worth on the job market. There are plenty of zugnglich surveys to help, but use caution. Many online surveys, especially those associated with staffing agencies, bump up salary ranges by at least 10 percent. Check out PayScale or Salary.com for information on current salary ranges.Be clear on your why.Being clear on your purpose and motivation will ste er you away from disaster. Think about this Why do you really want a raise? Its really easy to get caught up in the comparison ring. You hear so-and-so makes X per year. You read an online salary report that screamed how underpaid you are. Your coworkers are talking about salaries in the lunchroom. E-a-s-y. Now, slow down. This is where your preparedness comes into play. You do not I repeat you do not want to ask for a raise out of emotion. Will more money solve your problems? A higher salary wont make an insufferable job suddenly great. A raise wont make your boss appreciate you. Know the why.Accept the risk.If youve plotted out the perfect timing and youve thought everything through, heres one more thing to consider. Whether its the right thing to do or not, your boss may take issue with you asking for more money. Because were dealing with fickle, dynamic humans who have their own beliefs, values, and hang-ups about money, realize that your boss may bring personal baggage into y our salary discussions. Again, it might not be right, but its real. Going back to understanding your personal motivations, you need to be comfortable with the fact that your boss may interpret your motivations differently than you do and pass judgment. If your boss feels cornered to give in, he or she might say yes today but hold it against you in the future. Accept the risk that the discussion may open you up to more risk than before. If you feel that you truly have done your research and you deserve it, then ask away. Dont let someone elses hang-ups hold you back.The alternative.You dont have to ask for a raise. You dont have to make more money. Perhaps this is the unpopular answer, but its a realistic, intrinsic solution. Shift your energy to adding value and doing your best work. If the company just isnt doing well enough to warrant salary increases or if you did your research and you cant justify asking, then decide to be happy with what youve got or start the search for a new opportunity. If the company offers exciting work, a fun culture, and opportunities to contribute and learn, then seize the day You could even shift the conversation with your boss from I want more money to I want more responsibility and see what opens up for you when you focus on something else.Salary discussions trigger deep feelings within all of us about worth, quality of life, and overall success. Dont let it be a nagging comparison. Shifting your perspective to a growth mindset where you focus on learning and contributing will direct positive experiences your way. The money will come if you put love into your work.Click on the following link for more salary negotiation advice.Recommended Reading6 Ways to Get Your Boss to Notice You (in a Good Way)11 Signs Its Time for a New JobHow to Handle the Dreaded Salary Question During Your Next InterviewRelated Articles

The 5-Minute Rule for Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives

The 5-Minute Rule for Best Resume Writing tafelgeschirr Dc Executives Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives - What Is It? All USAJOBS vacancy announcement needs to be read and interpreted before application. The executive resume tafelgeschirrs supplied by SES Resume Writers can help you stick out from a crowded area of applicants, upping your probability of landing that all-important job interview. Land the job that you want now. The resumes are tailored to satisfy the individual needs of the consumers. Capitalize on their experience and youre guaranteed to benefit. Chicago area resume service businesses are only some of being among the appropriate direction. Some people may believe that fancy is better, but in the event of a thriving executive resume, easy and professional is the best way to go. The legitimate value in working with an expert. What Everybody Dislikes About Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives and Why What all you will need is getting the assistan ce from a specialist and EssaysChief is going to be the expert that you seek out. Selecting a professional resume writer is a worthwhile investment and might even prove to be among the best decisions in your career. After all, it isnt often that you encounter a resume writer whos also a psychotherapist. According to be viewed as the need the suitable foot resume writer is important in. The Argument About Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives Its possible for you to have a look at the prices, the practice of ordering and resume, and the services the provider delivers. J. Lopex Our executive resume-writing service can help you elaborate on your distinctive skill set while keeping a succinct and direct presentation that appeals to possible employers. Becoming unsure of what you would like to do next or changing targets mid-writing process is not going to help your cause and just prolong the procedure. Persuasive writing with a concentration on offering tangible ROI to your upcoming employer. The Hidden Gem of Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives Just thinking you know what works isnt good enough when it concerns the competitive job industry. Our gruppe may also aid you with the application process for the ever-changing candidate growth programs, or CDPs, offered for various forms of positions. You may receive all of the help you need in one spot. If you need assistance getting clarity on the next career move, you may be interested career path clarity coaching. Best Resume Writing Service Dc Executives Secrets That No One Else Knows About Resume service reviews demonstrate that Resume Service Plus covers all employment amounts in healthcare profession. A positive resume writing service review is important to writing service as it can help to boost its reputation and boost business. Its not simple to settle on a service to purchase your essay from. If you are interested in an expensive editing services. Things You Wont Like About Best R esume Writing Service Dc Executives and Things You Will With your resume writing being the trick to getting your foot in the door, it is critical your professional first impression is one which will convince your possible employer to find out more about you. Lets say you must purchase essay for college. Streamlining your resume writing emphasizes the information that is quite relevant to the particular opportunity whilst making certain significant facts arent buried in the text. With our custom made essay offer, you can be guaranteed to find any sort of essay help youre looking for.

Office Politics

Office PoliticsOffice PoliticsWho isnt worried about their job rightnow? No matter how high up on theorganization chart, any executive who isnt looking over his or her shoulder thesedays needs a reality check. We areall vulnerable in this kind of economic turmoil and with unprecedented businesschanges likely in 2009. It seemslike an excellent time to brush off the lists of dos and donts in theimportant and still-popular game of Office Politics.Do Understand where the power is, how decisions are made Know the mission priorities of your operation Volunteer to champion new projects Appreciate the culture of your operation and adapt to it Communicate your successes assertively Accept responsibility for mistakes quicklyDont Point fingers (those who live in glass houses ) Complain (people will listen politely but no one wants to hear) Dwell in the past Advance your own career by hurting the business or harming colleagues Second-guess decisions already madeThis last one is critical, espe cially in adifficult, fast-moving environment brought on by the current economicclimate. In a new book aboutcareer success (Theres no Elevator tothe Top by Umesh Ramakrishnan) the author quotes Coke CEO Terry Marks whosays When we break huddle, whenwe leave there, everybody runs the play.If the quarterback thinks youre running a post and you run a curl,youre going to have an interception.Youve let everybody else around you down, not just yourself.Even worse is the co-worker who breaks huddleand runs over to the sideline to complain about the play to the coach or otherteam members. Alsoproblematic is the player who is still complaining in the second half of a gameabout a play run in the first quarter.Not only will it turn teammates against him, the behavior runs a seriousrisk of screwing up the next play called and the one after that.I know some free thinkers in the careerspace wish for a less dogmatic set of principles but sometimes the truth is thetruth. Human nature really doesntc hange and the fundamentals of good teamwork are eternal.

Cell Phone or Smartphone Policy Sample for Workplaces

Cell Phone or handy Policy Sample for WorkplacesCell Phone or Smartphone Policy Sample for WorkplacesThe following cell phone policy refers to cell phones and smart phones that are generally used by exempt employees as they pursue the effective performance of their jobs. These employees use their phones at home, at work, at client locations, and to address the needs of customers. They are an intrinsic part of the employees ability to perform their jobs effectively. Different rules for phone usage apply in a manufacturing facility or in another location where the employees ability to accomplish their work is dependent on other employees working simultaneously. In these work settings, smartphone use is restricted, generally to breaks and lunchtime. Cell Phone or Smartphone Policy Sample This policy about cellular phone usage applies to any device that makes or receives phone calls, leaves messages, sends text messages, surfs the internet, or downloads and allows for the reading of and responding to email whether the device is company-supplied or personally owned. Company Owned and Supplied Devices or Vehicles Policy Sample An employee who uses a company-supplied device or a company-supplied vehicle is prohibited from using a smartphone, cell phone, hands-on or hands-off phone, or similar device while driving, whether the business conducted is personal or company-related. This prohibition includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, surfing the internet, receiving or responding to email, checking for phone messages, or any other purpose related to yur employment the business our customers our vendors volunteer activities, meetings, or civic responsibilities performed for or attended in the name of the company or any other company or personally related activities not named here while driving. Use of company-owned vehicles or devices for personal business is discouraged. Personal Cell Phone,Smartphone or Similar Device Use for Business Your compa ny is aware that employees currently use their cell phones for business purposes while driving in their personal vehicle and using their personal cell phone or similar device. Due to research that indicates that smartphone or cell phone use while driving is dangerous, and may even approach the equivalent danger of driving while drunk, according to some studies, your company prohibits employee use of personal cellular phones, either hands on or hands free, or similar devices, for business purposes related in any way to our company, while driving. This prohibition of cell phone or similar device use while driving includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, surfing the internet, receiving or responding to email, checking for phone messages, or any other purpose related to your employment the business our customers our vendors volunteer activities, meetings, or civic responsibilities performed for or attended in the name of the company or any other company related activities no t named here while driving. You may not use your cellular phone or similar device to receive or place calls, text messages, surf the internet, check phone messages, or receive or respond to email while driving if you are in any way doing activities that are related to your employment. We recognize that other distractions occur during driving, however curbing the use of cell phones and smartphoneswhile driving, is one way to minimize the risk, for our employees, of accidents. Therefore, you are required to stop your vehicle in a safe location so that you can safely use your cell phone or similar device if you need to make or respond to a phone call.Engaging in your company business using a cell phone or similar device while driving is prohibited. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including employment termination. Why Is a Cell Phone or Smartphone Policy Important? Businesses that supply cell phones and smartphones for their emplo yees to use on business-related missions and tasks need to have a solid policy on which employees receive training. While the safety of employees is the paramount purpose of the policy, employers are smart to cover themselves legally as well. At the end of the training, employers need to ask employees to sign a receipt acknowledging that they understood the policy and will comply with the training provided by the employer. Banning texting and talking on the smartphone while driving supplies the employer some legal coverage if an employee is involved in an accident while using the smartphone. Aside from legal coverage, by banning smartphones in meetings, the employer should experience more productive, interactive meetings where the attendees are focused on the goals of the meeting. And, this is positive for the business goals. DisclaimerPlease notenzeichen that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a world-wide audience and ?employment lawsand regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.

Customize this Garbage Man Resume

Customize this Garbage Man ResumeCustomize this Garbage Man ResumeCreate this Resume Carl Prior3473 Oakway LaneMontrose, CA 91214(666)-172-4278c.priortmail.comObjectiveSeeking an opportunity to work in a company as a Garbage Man to fill the requirements in segmenting garbage being disposed everyday and caring for the cleanliness of the surroundings. Summary of QualificationsKnowledge of sewage collection and disposalKnowledge of garbage collection and disposal proceduresKnowledge of scheduling systems and proceduresKnowledge of truck and equipment safetyHighly organized and motivated Professional ExperienceGarbage Collector, January 2007- PresentAffordable Waste Systems, Canisteo, NY ResponsibilitiesCollected and gathered garbage from buildings, businesses, and other facilities.Maintained and obtained proper scheduling of garbage collection. Ensured garbage is removed, transported, and disposed of according to set policies and procedures. Maintained and obtained daily records of pic k-ups.Performed other cleaning duties as assigned.Garbage Truck Helper, May 2004- December 2006Waste Connections, Colfax, WA ResponsibilitiesAssisted and helped with the operations of garbage truck.Controlled and operated all equipment in accordance with policies and procedures. Executed and performed daily safety and maintenance checks. Cleaned and maintained trucks as schedules and required. Conducted and performed routine maintenance and ensured all equipment in safe and secured conditions. EducationAssociate Degree in Disposal, 2004Yale UniversityHigh School Diploma, 2002Albany Public High School Customize ResumeMore Sample ResumesGame Artist Resume Game Designer Resume Game Developer Resume Game Producer Resume Garbage Man Resume Gardener Resume Gas Plant Operator Resume Gas Station Attendant Resume Gas Station Cashier Resume Gas Station Manager Resume

Why Giving Could Help You Get Ahead at Work

Why Giving Could Help You Get Ahead at WorkWhy Giving Could Help You Get Ahead at WorkThis article is from our friends atLearnVest, a leading site for personal finance.When it comes to getting ahead at the office, youve probably heard the adage, Nice guys finish last.But Adam Grant, a Wharton professor and a researczu sich with a PhD in organizational psychology, says that workers who only look out for themselves are playing a short game.Instead its those who lend a helping flosse- even when they have nothing to gain- who can see long-term benefits, long after the favor has passed.In his book Give and Take A Revolutionary Approach to Success, Grant turns the typical ideas of the best way to climb the career ladder on their head, by showing how givers prosper.He shared with us the key differences between givers and takers- and how to be a smart giver, instead of a garden-variety pushover.The Difference Between Givers and TakersDrawing upon decades of social science research and his ow n studies, Grant divides workers into three categories takers, matchers, and givers.Its pretty easy to identify who the takers are in any given situation. The person who takes all the credit for a group project? Hes a taker. And the person who stopped answering your emails once you did her a favor? Ditto.More specifically, Grant describes takers in his book as believing, the world is a competitive, dog-eat-dog place. They feel that to succeed, they need to be better than others. To prove their competence, they self-promote and make sure they get plenty of credit for their efforts. Takers can be territorial and pushy, and often feel like they need to get the upper hand or the best deal in every situation.The second group, known as matchers, look out for their own interests as well but are also willing to lend a helping hand- as long as they know it will be repaid. For matchers, everything has to be squared away when it comes to doing favors, and they always know the score. The majori ty of workers fall into this category.The third category, givers, help others without thinking of repayment, or whether they already owe the person a favor. They dont necessarily have to be the people who donate all of their worldly possessions to charity- or even those who volunteer weekly at the local soup kitchen. Instead, theyll cover shift hours, finish a presentation, or take notes at a meeting for a colleague. Simply put, Grant says givers act in the interest of others, by giving help, providing mentoring, sharing credit, or making connections for others.When Giving Goes WrongIn the workplace, the problem with being a giver comes in when your desire to be generous to others gets in the way of your own success. Or as Grant succinctly puts it, Givers tend to bethe best performers- and the worst.For instance, out of 160 engineers he studied in California, those who were consistently said to have given more help than they received performed at the bottom of the pack. Going out of their way to help others prevented them from getting their own work done, he writes. However, themostproductive engineers also gave more than they got.And in a similar study of salespeople in North Carolina, the average giver had two and a half times less annual sales revenue than takers or matchers. However, Grant writes, the top performers were givers, and they averaged 50% more annual revenue than the takers and matchers.So, whats the difference between being a giver who wins, and one who loses?5 Tips to Be an Intelligent GiverIf you want to take advantage of the benefits of giving in the office- but dont want to be sucked in to doing your co-workers grunt work- its important to give intelligently. Giving can be risky and self-sacrificing, but it can also be a powerful way to build relationships, says Grant. Here, he shares his five tips for being a smart giver.1. Follow the Five-Minute RuleMuch of Grants book focuses on one successful entrepreneur, Adam Rifkin, who co-founded a software startup that raised more than $50 mio in funding. In addition to his startup success, Rifkin was also named Fortunes best networker in 2011, which Grant attributes to his classic giver personality.Grant says Rifkins giving style can be summed up by one simple rule You should be willing to do something that will take you five minutes or less for anybody. While this time limit obviously neednt be set in stone, it sets a good standard for a favor that could do a lot of good for someone else, but wont distract you from your own aims.Takers and matchers tend to snub connections with those they perceive to not be as useful, but this strategy can backfire down the road, when the intern they snubbed back in the day may wind up as a hotshot startup CEO only a few years later.Think about the email requests that pile up in your inbox that never seem a priority. What would happen if you sat down one day and took a few minutes to respond to each and every one? Chances are, it wouldnt t ake a full day- and that sort of giving could end up helping you down the line.2. Focus on Adding High ValuePeople think about giving as acting like Mother Teresa or Gandhi, but many successful givers look for other ways to add high value, says Grant. By this, he means that theres not one way to be a successful giver- and it often doesnt look like the traditional act of charity. Instead, many of the most productive givers focus their energies on helping in the ways that theyre best at, rather than stretching themselves too thin by doing good in every way possible.For instance, in his book, Grant says Rifkins far-spanning network allowed him to connect other aspiring entrepreneurs with those who might be able to give valuable advice. So for Rifkin, the most valuable giving occurred when he fostered these types of educational connections for others. In fact, he later decided to formalize his favors by founding 106 Miles, a professional network with the social mission of educating entr epreneurial engineers through dialogue.Grant says Rifkins decision to focus his energies made his giving more valuable- and it strengthened his standing within that community. You dont see him volunteering at a soup kitchen, because he doesnt add unique value there. In the long run, volunteering would be less beneficial to his professional goals, says Grant.3. Dont Be Afraid to Ask for HelpSuccessful givers also ask for help a lot more, says Grant. Its counterintuitive, and people think that to be a giver, you always have to be on the giving end of the exchange. But the difference between taking and receiving is that taking is using someone, and receiving is accepting a contribution.For instance, a taker might ask for a colleagues help researching an upcoming project- then claim all of the credit for the project when its completed. On the other hand, a giver would ask for assistance, give his colleague appropriate credit, and then be sure to help out that person- or any other teamma tes- who were also preparing projects.As long as youre not keeping a running tally in your head on what youve done versus what your colleagues have done for you, its better to ask for and accept help when you need it.4. Dont Trust EveryoneIf youre giving more than you get, its easy for a lazy co-worker to take advantage of your generosity. Givers who get in trouble trust everyone all the time, says Grant.If you notice that someone is consistently benefiting from your help or mentoring- but is stabbing you in the back when it comes to taking credit, or never seems to have the time to do a favor when you ask- consider acting more like a matcher. Instead of constantly giving to that person, and getting taken advantage of, hold that person accountable for lending you a hand as well from time to time.In the favor world, too, it seems youre wise to live by the notion of Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.5. Reach Out to AcquaintancesOne of the most important benefits o f giving is that it creates a wider, more diverse network of people whom youve helped in the past. One way to be a smart giver is to reach out to what Grant calls your weak ties In other words, people who arent close friends, colleagues, or family members.While stronger ties are often helpful (in fact, Grant says nearly 17% of people in a study conducted at Stanford heard about a job from a strong tie), theyre in limited supply- you only have a finite supply in your life, and they can only help you in so many ways.On the other hand, the weak ties youve added to your network over the years may prove more helpful in, say, a job hunt Almost 28% of people in the same study heard about a job from an acquaintance, or someone they see only rarely. ur strong ties tend to travel in the same social circles and know about the same opportunities. Weak ties are more likely to open up access to a different network, writes Grant.When its relevant or necessary, reach out to weak or dormant ties, ad vises Grant. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, if youve established a history of giving (youve helped in the past or are offering to help them out now), theyre more likely to give to you.More From LearnVest 6Big Resume Flaws- and How to Hide Them 10 Questions for a Career Coach 50 Ways to Be Productive in 10 Minutes or LessPhoto of woman helping courtesy of Shutterstock.