Don't give 120% at work. Give 100% + 20%

Working hard is a great way to advance in your career.

What isn't obvious is HOW you should work hard.

The best way to get noticed, build new skills and make yourself indispensable isn't to do more of your own job—it's to find things that AREN'T your job and do those.

Rock your job—then find what else needs doing

Once you're crushing your job, a little extra mustard won't really get noticed. It's hard for management to see the difference between a kick-ass designer and a kick-assier designer. Or a crack bookkeeper and a crackier bookkeeper.

It's much easier to notice a crack bookkeeper who also volunteers to run the company social media accounts.

Look for what's falling through the cracks

Every company has gaps. Processes that need an owner. Meetings that need a facilitator. Junior employees who need a mentor.

Be the person who raises their hand—or just sees what needs doing and does it.

Gain new skills, gain new fans

Maybe you'll learn some new things that will help in your current career. Maybe you'll find a passion that opens doors to a new job. Either way, being the person who does more than what's in their own job description opens eyes.

Don't know how? Don't say no

You're smart, resourceful and a fast learner. When you see an opportunity to step up, charge ahead and trust that you'll figure things out. Best of all, you'll build new skills on the company's dime.

If you want to get ahead at work, first rock 100% of your own job. Then look for what needs doing that isn't your job and say yes.