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Who are the people who zoom past everyone else as they move from one promotion to the next? They’re called career superstars and we talked to several of them. These achieving employees spilled the secrets of how to shine at work and told us the biggest secret of all: Anyone can acquire these superstar traits. You don’t have to be born with them. So check these traits out and see if you have what it takes to be a true-blue superstar.

Organizational Skills: 20%
We all experience the pressure of deadlines—that imaginary “rush” or “urgent” stamp on a seemingly endless pile of paperwork. Without any organization, all the work will blow you away and stress will start creeping in and make the situation worse.

If you want to do your job well, you can’t always treat your tasks on a first-come, first-served basis—you have to prioritize. “It used to be that managing your time only meant writing a ‘to do’ list,” according to Barbara Somervill, author of The Best Guide to Success (Rennaissance Books, 1999). Today’s time management is a process of planning, ranking tasks, and fulfilling as many of these obligations as possible.”

Trixie, 25, is a whiz at organizing tasks. She juggles a full-time job as a finance officer in an advertising company with teaching at a computer school. She even has time to sneak up to Baguio once in a while for a well-deserved vacation. What’s her secret? “Prioritize! Know which tasks are highly important at ‘yon ang unahin mo. Schedule your activities and, as much as possible, beat deadlines. Dapat may sistema.”

Networking Ability: 20%
It’s a big advantage to know the people in your field. Having friends in the business is like having a whole team of advisers. They can give you tips when you’re working on a project, tell you the lowdown on the personality of your new boss (and the best way to approach him or her), even tell you in advance if a promising new position is about to become vacant.

“The easiest way to start networking is to join an organization. Most groups go out of their way to help new members and show them the ropes,” says Joan Sotkin, author of Starting Your Own Business (Build Your Own Business, Inc., 1993).

Gertrude, 27, was an industrial psychologist before she decided to switch jobs. Soon after she entered the human resources department of her company, Gertrude joined the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines to kick-start her new career. By participating in the group’s activities, Gertrude was able to form a network of colleagues and also picked up some techniques that she used in her new position. In less than two years, she was promoted to department manager.

Self-Improvement: 20%
When you say, “I don’t know how to do that,” what your boss will probably think is, “Then maybe I should get somebody who knows how to do it.”

To impress your superiors, you have to continuously improve your skills and learn new ones. Exceed your boss’s expectations, don’t get stuck at the entry-level competency. You may not be a computer science graduate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to use a word processor or spreadsheet program.

Mely, 25, went beyond what was expected of her as a secretary for an executive in a large firm. She boned up on her computers skills and even took the initiative to learn how to do data gathering and analysis for her boss.

“If I have spare time, I ask others what they do and help them out,” Mely says. “I’ve found out that there are so many tasks in the office that I can do very well.” Her dedication and commitment paid off—in a year, she was promoted to the position of analyst.

Appearance: 15%
A well-groomed appearance is the official “uniform” of a career superstar, “Power dressing helps you create a good impact and a good first impression,” says Ernie O. Cecilia in his book How to Get a Job (Ernesto O. Cecilio, 2000).

Wearing a uniform does not mean you should be a dowdy dresser. Accessories like scarves, pins, and jewelry (but not too many pieces) reflect your personal style. Wear your hair neat and don’t let it cover your eyes. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to your shoes—bad shoes can ruin a great suit.

Malou, 26, a clerk in a manufacturing firm, is not exactly a headturner but she is good at her job and she dresses the part. Sometimes, she is even mistaken for the manager. When the recruitment assistant resigned, Malou was offered the position.

To be a superstar, you have to dress the part. This doesn’t mean coming to work in designer outfits, just always try to look neat and presentable. You want people to look at your work performance, not the ketchup stain on your blouse.

Social Skills: 15%
Maintaining a good relationship with your co-workers is crucial. If you’re working on an important project, you’ll need their help, especially when it comes to your weak areas. When you’re in a position of authority, it’s better to count on their support rather than have them excitedly awaiting any small mistake you make so that they can snicker about it.

It’s not impossible to walk the tightrope between being friendly with your co-employees, and remaining an effective and efficient worker. Get to know the people you work with, study their wants, motivations, and attitudes. Are they heaven-sent, or do they come from hell? You don’t have to be everyone’s best friend, but if you know what they’re like, there’s less of a risk that you’ll offend them and turn them into mortal enemies.

Susie, 29, a product manager, always refers to her group as “the team.” Because she is nice to work with and gives her staff the attention and assistance they need, when the time comes that Susie asks for their help, they go the extra mile for her. “I compliment them for a job well done and I always smile.”

Know when to give and when to hold back. Be tough, but in such a way that you’re firm—not offensive—to the other person.

Punctuality: 10%
It is not a grievous sin to come late to the office occasionally, but doing so repeatedly is a career no-no.

Never have the reputation of being Miss Late or the indianera. If you’re stuck in a traffic jam, call that you’ll be late. If you’re expected at a meeting, ask if it can be postponed or tell the people there to start without you. Don’t keep people waiting or they’ll never believe you the next time you set another 8 a.m. meeting.

Aside from her perfect attendance, Ida, 25, arrives at work promptly and completes her work on time. That way, she feels relaxed, fulfilled, and productive. It’s no surprise that Ida has been chosen Employee of the Year twice.

Performance Appraisal
Star Power (80% or more): You’ll soon be touching the stars instead of simply reaching for them.

Starstruck (50 to 80%): Improve on your weak points and success won’t be just wishful thinking.

Stargazing (50% or less): Don’t sit and stare—get with the superstar formula and chart your own meteoric rise to the top.