IF YOU want to build a successful career there are important skills you should possess and traits or behaviour to avoid. Here are 10 tips for building a successful career.

Develop effective interpersonal skills: Being able to get on with people and communicate effectively is a must.

Be a good team player: Employers need people to work well as part of a team and not just concentrate on showing individual brilliance.

Be reliable: Organisations need to be able to depend on their employees. Lateness is a no-no, as is a poor sickness record.

Meet deadlines: If you have agreed to a deadline then you need to meet it. Avoid getting a reputation for being unprofessional.

Be prepared to fail: No that's not as dramatic as it sounds. You need to have belief in yourself because if you don't, other people won't either.

Practice discretion: We've all seen it, experienced it and many of us have taken part in it. Yes that's gossip. You see people whispering in corridors, chatting loudly on their cellphones, speaking in bars and clubs, discussing all sorts of things that should remain private.

There is a clear right to free speech, but you would consider that speech rather expensive if you let your tongue get the better of you and it cost you your job.

Conduct personal business at home: In recent years employers have complained about employees surfing the internet and spending time on social networking sites.

Set goals: If you want to get ahead in your career then it makes sense to know which direction you're heading in. Set yourself some clear goals.

Be prepared to go that "extra mile": This doesn't mean working excessive hours and burning yourself out, but adopting a "can do" attitude and always doing the best work you can.

Keep learning: Keep up-to-date with the industry that you are working in. Be aware of the impact on yourself and your organisation. Always be prepared to change with the times and learn something new. - Delightful Work