Climbing the Professional Ladder

I am currently a student. I want to land a good job as I'm sure all students do. To that end, I engage in networking. This networking recently paid off as I had the chance to go to lunch with two people whom I admire very much. They both work in a fields that interest me, and they're both very good contacts. I got to know one guy, Joe, and he introduced me to the other, John. John is a partner at the firm and Joe is an associate. John suggested a get-to-know-you meeting, his treat, at a nice restaurant. When we walked in, he greeted the seating hostess saying, "Hi Liz, how are you today?" She replied, "I'm well John, we'll get you a table right away." To me, this is one small way to know when you've made it: going into a nice restaurant, greeting and being greeted by name, and getting a table immediately.

As I said before, I want to be successful in my career. I believe that success comes by careful building because slipshod shennanigans tend to destroy a good career before it even begins. So how does one begin to be successful? The answer is easy. If you want people at restaurants to know you, start by recognizing them. I did this in a small way last night. My wife and I had not eaten dinner and it was 10:00. What to do? Simple, order pizza. We ordered pizza and 20 minutes later, it arrived. Funny thing is, it's the same guy who delivered it last time. Even funnier, I'm wearing the same shirt as I was the last time he came. WHO REMEMBERS WHAT SHIRT THEY WERE WEARING LAST TIME THE PIZZA GUY CAME? Me, the shirt is not just any shirt. It's a Manchester United jersey. The reason it's memorable is because, (A)It's a well known shirt and this guy is not a native to the United States which means he's likely a soccer fan and would therefore recognize one of the most popular clubs in the world, and (B), this shirt is bright, freakin' red. So, he came to the door, and we caught up on the pleasantries of where we've been playing, and injuries, and of course, the preseason for the English Premier League.

That's one small step for a man, and another small step for an aspiring professional.