5 Career Lessons from Mad Men

Watching the hit AMC show "Mad Men" takes you inside the ad agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, with all of its stunningly out-of-date detail (smoking and drinking in the office?) and captivating personal storylines. But you get to take away some truly golden career do's that can catapult your job success and perhaps get your name on the company doors in the future. Here are five career lessons from "Mad Men":

? Align yourself with a boss who sees your potential. Peggy Olsen rose from mousy secretary to powerhouse ad copywriter because Don Draper saw something special in her talent and drive. We've watched Peggy evolve from a shy career starter to a bold and confident career player who masterfully wrangled a raise out of her boss, Roger Sterling. Actress Elizabeth Moss, who plays Peggy, recently said in an interview that Peggy is on her way to being Don Draper. With him as a role model, she's absorbed some of his strengths, and he regularly hands her projects of great importance.

? Build relationships with all of your co-workers. You never know who's climbing the ladder of success and may wind up as your manager, supervisor or partner. Never assume the hierarchy in your office will always stay the same. Change happens quickly in the work world, and today's assistant could be tomorrow's junior partner.
    Megan Draper also started off as a secretary, and now her path has taken her to a position of more importance in the office. Befriend all of your coworkers, no matter their position, to strengthen your reputation as a team player, and be thought of well by those who do rise to
more power.

? Do your research. Before they take a meeting, Don, Pete and Roger scout out details on their potential client and their industry. In a recent episode, which had them courting an airline, they knew about a different airline's performance. You'll stand out in your company when you speak up in a meeting about, say, a brewing coup in a developing nation that could affect that nation's exports. Check out the industry, the company, the region, and the player him or herself to arm yourself with as much supporting detail as possible. Knowledge is power and gives you confidence in your presentations-and may impress not just clients, but your bosses, too.

? Dress for success. When Peggy first started out at the agency, she dressed like a girl, with Peter Pan collars and ribbons in her hair. When she asked Joan for advice on how to be taken more seriously by the bosses, Joan advised her to change her image into a more stylish woman. In today's image-driven work world, you'll stand out and impress bosses and clients when you present yourself more professionally, not too casually or inappropriately (such as with too tight or revealing clothing).
    A perk of dressing for success is that you will feel more confident wearing office-appropriate attire, which is evident in how you carry yourself. Bosses may choose you to meet with clients based on the professional image you project, as well as your smarts.

? Keep it professional when with clients. Often, "Mad Men" teaches the most useful lessons through its jaw-dropping examples of what not to do (such as taking a client to a house of ill repute). At all times, in the office and when out with clients, you're a representative of the company. If you drink too much, flirt, or overstep professional bounds, the company will learn of it, and you could lose your bosses' trust, if not your job.
    The admen and adwomen of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce have good days and bad days, both professionally and personally, but they're dedicated to what they do, they put their all into it, and they're making their marks in their careers during a turbulent era (the 1960s)-much like you're working to make your mark in your career during our own turbulent era.