Its not all about simply performing your job duties We all know those common sense things you must do to make a good impression at any job. Show up on time, dress professionally, be reliable. But these are just the basics. They may ensure you keep your job, but there's more you can do to get ahead. Here are some tips:

Find a Mentor Or as Ben Stein says in his article on Yahoo Finance, "Get someone up above you on the ladder. Listen to his war stories. Listen to his boasts. In return, get his advice, get his contacts (contacts are everything in life), get his words to a friend, get him to boost you up the ladder."

Put Yourself Out There Staying holed up in your cubicle doing just the basics of your job will not get you ahead. If you really want to move up in your career, get your face out there and make contacts. Seek out people in other parts of your company. Do things you do not have to do. Volunteer to serve on an inter-departmental committee. You will make contacts, learn about new opportunities, and show your commitment to your company and department's vision. Offer to help on a project outside your normal duties that fits with your interests. If you understand where you hope to go in your career, you can identify projects that will help you get there.

Train, Train, Train In any career, training helps keep one's skills and stay up-to-date, nowhere is it more critical than in IT, where new developments are the norm. Training opportunities may be offered through your employer. Even if they are not, its worth spending your own money to develop new skills (this money spent may be tax deductible).

Maintain Positive Attitude A little thing like smile on your face can go a long way. No one likes to work with people with poor attitude. In order to keep your job, you may not have to go beyond the norm. But if you want to advance, it is best that your superiors see you maintaining a positive attitude, a smile on your face, and steering clear of politics. If you stay focused on the bottom line (success of your project) without stepping over other people, combined with enthusiasm and smile, it will not go un-noticed. Come annual review time, the next promotion may be yours.

Be a solutions person Most people have the ability to identify problems. Very few go upto their boss to talk about a problem, and already have a solution that addresses that problem. Having more than one solution to the same problem does not hurt.