Businesses don’t look to promote employees who do only the minimum required to keep their jobs. Instead, workers who show initiative, offer to take on more responsibility and produce more value than expected are likely to advance within the company. Understanding how you can exceed your employer’s expectations will help you move up the ladder.

Extra Effort

An obvious way to exceed your employer’s expectations is to do whatever it takes to ensure projects are completed successfully. Putting in extra hours for a specific purpose, such as helping the company meet an important deadline, shows you’re a team player who’s willing to sacrifice to help the business. You might also need to put in extra hours to exceed your individual goals. Employees who want to prove their value to a company should be willing to work longer and harder than others.

Volunteer

If a department in another area of the company is struggling to meet a deadline, has one or two employees out sick, or needs help with a problem, volunteer to help. In addition to gaining knowledge that can expand your skill set, you’ll further establish yourself as a team player who is willing to give extra to help the company.

Expand Your Knowledge

One surefire way to exceed company expectations is to expand your knowledge of your particular field beyond what is required to do your job. Research the competition, industry trends and new legislation that might affect your company. Subscribe to and read your industry’s trade publications and visit professional association websites to keep up with what’s happening in your field. Keep up to date on the latest software and digital technology to bring more value to your position. Once you have more knowledge, don’t be bashful about sharing ideas if you feel you can help streamline a process, reduce costs, increase productivity or improve sales.

Represent Your Company

If your company permits it, look for the chance to write articles for industry publications, speak at industry events, create an expert blog or serve on a professional association committee. Management will appreciate the initiative you have taken and the extra effort you have put into raising your employer's profile.