When a candidate takes a new job, rarely is it just to get by. Many people are looking for a great company that will offer them longevity and opportunities to grow. But just because these things are offered, that does not mean they will be given to you simply by showing up every day. The most successful employees are the ones that take the initiative to get noticed. They do this by creating habits within themselves that allow them to be seen as exceptional by management. Below are 5 habits of the most successful employees.

They Use Their Voice

Regardless of your position, one thing successful employees do is use their voice. Don’t be afraid to be seen and heard, if you blend in you are less likely to be thought of when that next big promotion comes up. If you see something that can be improved, find a better system, know the answer in a meeting, or hear of an opportunity you may be interested in – SPEAK UP! Be respectful (there is a fine line between assertive and over the top demanding) but do not wait to be asked, the opportunity may pass you by. Instead, let it me known what you want and ask how to get it. For example, “I just wanted you to know that I am interested in moving into a management role, what is it that I need to do in order to get there?” Get on your managers radar and let them know exactly what your goals are so they can help you achieve them.

They Have A Plan

The most successful employees don’t happen by accident. They are highly focused individuals that take control of their own careers. One way is by always having a plan set in place. Know what you need to work on, your overall goals, steps to getting there, when your next review is, when raises and promotions are given at your company. Knowing this information can help you formulate a plan in order to reach your goals faster. It will allow you to be prepared for reviews and promotion opportunities before the week they are announced.

They Ask for Help

Successful employees understand that everyone has limits and a learning curve and they are not afraid to ask for help when needed. The best thing you could do for yourself is recognize that you do not know everything and nobody expects you to. If there is something you are having trouble with, ask for help. Also, make sure you know what you need in order to succeed in your job. Whether it is 30 minutes of uninterrupted time in the morning or a short break to clear your head, know what you need and make arrangements for it to happen. You may need to come into work early before anyone gets there or have a conversation with your manager about an afternoon break. Whatever it is that will allow you to work at your top capacity, figure it out and ask for it.

They Aren’t Always the “Yes” Man

Of course we always want to be available to help our or co-workers, but taking on too many projects can get you behind on your own work. In order to be successful, you need to determine where your limits are and stick to them. If your plate is full, and someone asks you to take on some of their work or help out in another area, it is okay sometimes to say no. Let them know you will be available to help them later on but right now you have to finish your work first. Maybe they can move some things around in their own schedule to make room for your help at a later time.

They Keep It Professional

Everyone has bad days, you wake up and things just don’t go right. You get to work and everything else falls apart. Maybe something big is going on at home or a co-worker is causing problems. Whatever the issue may be, a successful employee keeps their emotions at bay and handles each situation in a professional manner. Do your best to separate yourself from issues at home and focus on the tasks at hand during work. If there is a co-worker causing problems, try to handle it in a professional manner first addressing the co-worker then speaking to your manager if nothing is resolved. Getting heated and blowing up on someone will never get you very far in the workplace. Instead of getting the issues resolved, it often makes things worse and the focus is rerouted towards your behavior rather than what happened to cause the outburst.

It can be hard to be noticed if you work in a company with a lot of employees. Often, even in a small company, managers are looking for employees that stand out. Integrating these 5 habits into your normal work life will help you to be noticed by managers and excel faster in your career.