Within weeks, I was looking for my second job out of college.

For most women, longing for more at work is a given.

The trouble is, we assumemoremeans a promotion and a bigger paycheck.

Think of it as egonomics: the science of improving self-esteem for fun and profit.

The advice below is your crash course in egonomics.

Ace it and your job satisfaction and your salary will soar!

New think: Find the right job for you.

My boss at that long-ago gig was what you’d expect: detail-oriented.

Still, I was shocked to get a warning about my work.

As my boss said, “You’re a fact-checker.

If it’s possible for you to’t do that, I don’t care what else you do.”

There’s a problem when what you value doesn’t mesh with what your superiors value.

Not sure of your talents?

Try asking everyone, “What am I good at?”

Or find your forte with assessments at CareerDNA.net and AuthenticHappiness.com.

Then do work you love.

Nurture your abilities, no matter how specialized, and you’ll get noticed.

New think: Be Ms. Fix-It!

Optimists are “energizing and inspiring.”

I avoided her at all costs.

Of course, there’s a difference between being optimistic and unrealistic.

A good outlook entails being clear about challenges and confident about beating them.

(Self-worth, remember?)

Next, consciously replace complaints with compliments.

Swap “Coworker X is a brownnoser” with “Coworker X is savvy.”

New think: Big ears earn bigger bucks.

At least, that’s what I always thought.

Still, I figured I’d aced the meeting.

After all, I’d told three amusing stories and mentioned my high school essay-writing awardtwice.

When I didn’t hear anything for a few days, I called the human resources person.

“You’re just not a good fit for us,” she sniffed.

The same goes for paying attention to your boss when she tells you what she wants.

(She says, “I need that in the morning.”

You respond, “You’ll have it by nine.")

Yes, be that obvious.

Just as introverts have to train themselves to speak up, extroverts must learn to button their lips.

If you’re typically chatty, challenge yourself to spend 10 minutes with friends without chiming in.

(If it’s the latter, keep mum.)

Or try silence for 10-minute stretches in work meetings.

Your workmates' notions might inspire even better ideas from you.

New think: Be humble and empathic.

To pick myself up and start over, again and again.

That means demonstrating humility whenever you could.

One good way: Practice giving credit where it’s due.

Be generous with praise and it will come right back to you.

When I finished, she said crisply, “I’ll see what we can do.”

(b) “Do you really think we can continue working together?”

and, more to the point, (c) “Who do you think you are?”

Clearly, I was the girl who didn’t see it coming.

If she smiles and makes eye contact, keep going.

If she looks away and her lips tighten, make it quick.

New think: Make nice.

When she was axed, we cheered; she hasn’t had a job in the field since.

Unfortunately, this need for collaboration can put shy types at a disadvantage.

And gather opinions fromeveryoneon the totem pole; a bowl of candy on your desk is a lure.

In time, you’ll be thought of as both a dispenser of sweets and an indispensable resource.

New think: Learn to be flexible.

In other words, we live in a Gumby nation: You’ve got to bend to succeed.

“If someone is uncomfortable with change, that’s limiting.

To nurture your own flexibility, introduce some change into your life by breaking your routines often.

If you gravitate toward comedy, see a drama.

Brown-bag a sandwich every Wednesday?

Go out for soup once in a while.

And be open to new thoughts, new leaders and new responsibilities.

Each might lead you to discover hidden passions and talents.

Not only will that bolster your ego; it’s also bound to boost your bottom line.

Photo Credit: Paul Oakley