Six ways Alex Reid can help your career!

Sarah Coles gives you the lowdown on six career lessons we can learn from celebrity Alex Reid.

What was your impression when you first clapped eyes on Katie Price's new squeeze Alex Reid? Publicity-hungry, vapid, kick-boxing himbo? Rebound boy of the month? A male version of Katie Price - except with bigger breasts?

Let's face it, our first impression was hardly a favourable one. But fast-forward a couple of months and something peculiar has happened. He's the darling of the nation, with more than 60% of the Big Brother vote.

He has his own magazine column, is appearing on TV programmes around the world, and even in the aftermath of the kind of wedding choice that would normally have more knives out than a QVC Kitchenalia special, there is still an army of fans proudly breaking away from Team Peter or Team Katie to form Team Alex.

So what kind of strange magic did he pull, and what can we learn from it?

Instead of simply shrugging our shoulders at the strange soap opera of celebrity life, there are six vital lessons we can glean from Alex Reid about revitalising our careers. So here goes:

Make friends with the right people

It has been a pretty swift ascent for Alex: from pal of Z-list PopStars runner up Michelle Heaton, to dating tabloid totty Katie Price, to being on best banter terms with A-Lister Vinnie Jones.

Making friends who can help you on your way up the greasy pole is a time-honoured tradition. It may not be entirely clear why you need to buddy up with the second assistant to the deputy head of tea-making. But when she suggests you for promotion or recommends you to her boss, your swift path to the exulted heights of head tea-maker is assured.

Let Alpha man/woman rule

Alex shocked Big Brother viewers with his ability to roll over and play dead when mocked by more powerful housemates, which clearly helped him win friends.

This will either come naturally or it won't, but the success of this strategy means it's not worth ruling out, even if every fibre of your being is crying out 'Oh for God's sake let ME do it!'

Every leader needs a sidekick, and you'd be shocked at the going rate for sidekicks nowadays.

Pick your fights carefully

In the process of winning over the Big Brother house and the British public, Alex had plenty of opportunities to kick off. He was repeatedly mocked for his appearance and for approximately 90% of everything he did or said, and what did he do? He laughed it off.

It's easy to rise to the challenge, but as Alex shows, sometimes you cannot afford the luxury of losing your temper. If you can keep a cool head under pressure, you can always find a calm way of saying exactly what you need to later, without the confrontation.

Drop your ego when it most matters

For a man who seems to be glued to the mirror, Alex stunned viewers by mucking in and being willing to make an idiot of himself. Even when he was chased by a gang of celebrities wielding fake tan, he took it all with a pinch of salt.

We all have our ego, and when our work is criticised, suit insulted, or timekeeping made the subject of office banter, it's easy to take it personally. However, as Alex shows, if we can learn to take it on the chin, while also taking in any important messages anyone may have for us, we'll come off far better.

Cash in at a key moment

Is there any other moment in time that anyone would have looked at Alex and thought 'He'd make a good columnist'?

When your time comes, don't be too busy soaking up the praise to look ahead. This is your moment; put the champagne down and get your negotiating hat on.

And if all else fails, get your shirt off

Except maybe this only works for steroid-pumped kick-boxing types. Couldn't hurt though eh?

Finally, don't forget, if you're looking for ways to make some extra money, lovemoney.com can help!

First, adopt this goal: Make some extra money. Next, watch this video: How to save when you've got no money. Finally, why not have a wander over to Q&A and ask other lovemoney.com members for advice?

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