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Be honest with yourself: Have you ever been in your office and thought “What is that terrible smell?” And then realized it was YOU? This, my friend, is an office no-no. And if you’re guilty of this major offense, who knows what else you may be doing to put off your co-workers.

Below is a list of 5 things you should never do at work (and maybe other places, too).

1. Take something that doesn’t belong to you. From your co-worker’s lunch to the box of paper-clips on your desk – stealing is obnoxious, wrong and unethical. Sure, you may think that the overtime you put in gives you an entitlement to free post-its, envelopes and staples, but it doesn’t.

2. Talk behind a co-worker’s back. Resist the urge to spread gossip at all costs. It’s a nasty habit that won’t get you anywhere – it certainly won’t get you promoted. Instead of making it your goal to know everyone’s personal business, make it your goal to know everything about your company’s business.

3. Take advantage of office technology. The copy machine, the computers, and the printers do not belong to you. Don’t create multiples of your resume, print off a copy of Wuthering Heights or spend tons of time writing and reading personal e-mail.

4. Hit on your co-workers. Sure, there are tons of stories about successful office romances. But, there are also tales of the embarrassed, the heart broken and the sexual harassment suit filers. If you absolutely must ask a fellow employee out, make sure you know your office romance policy, and don’t seek dates on the clock.

5. Show up with a fever and a snotty nose. Your coworkers might be happy that they don’t have to cover for you while you’re out sick, but that won’t last long. They’ll soon be irritated that they have to listen to you blow your nose, cough and sniffle all day long. Chances are, you’ll probably get others sick and they will resent you (you may also have to cover for them while they’re out sick).

Everyone is guilty of doing something that annoys their co-workers or goes against company policy. In today’s society, there are tons of rules and regulations, so it’s almost impossible not to. But in most cases, using common sense, sound judgment and a daily dose of deodorant will help you to steer clear of committing severe office no-no’s.

Do you have anything to add to this list? I’m interested in hearing helpful, funny and enlightening stories about your workplace experiences.

I recently wrote a blog that concentrated on the importance of career networking. It provided a few examples of methods you can use to build and maintain a network of professional support.

Knowing how to network is incredibly important – especially when you’re searching for a new job or career. And, knowing what NOT to do is just as important.

Here are a few networking tips on what NOT to do:

1. Don’t tell everyone! While it’s definitely a good idea to tell your friends and family that you’re interested in finding a new job, there are a few people with whom you shouldn’t be so forthcoming. Namely – all of your co-workers.

It makes sense that you may start to feel like your co-workers are trusted old friends after working with them for a good amount of time. Sure, you may even have in-depth water-cooler chats with Tom from HR on a daily basis. However, that does not make him a good person to talk with about your job search. Trust me, when it comes to your job search, people like Tom are not your allies. You’re better off keeping this information to yourself around the office.

2. Don’t advertise your job search on social networking sites! Even though networking groups like LinkedIn.com can be a great resource for career networking, if you’re currently employed, make sure your page doesn’t give “job hunting” as one of the reasons you’ve joined the site. That lets all of your professional connections know about your job search. And, if your current employer gets wind of this information, you may get the boot before you’ve found a new position.

3. Don’t use your real name online! If you’re searching for a new job, it’s a good idea to use a pseudonym on any web sites that might make you seem unprofessional. For instance, if your MySpace or Facebook page displays photographs of you partying, make sure you use a fake name. Many potential employers are in the habit of Googling their job candidates. So make sure that your name doesn’t ruin your chances for future employment. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your personal pages – as long as you make sure to separate them from your professional pages.

Sometimes, job networking can be an art in subtlety. Make sure you’re talking to the right people, at the right times, at the right places. Does anyone have any other networking no-no’s to share?

You’re lucky. You enjoy the company you work for – so much, in fact, that you’d love to take on additional responsibilities and make greater contributions to the organization. That means it might be time for you to think about how to advance in your career.

Below are 8 helpful hints on how to get ahead at work.

1. Find your niche. Identify your interests and the areas in which you naturally excel. Then apply those to your company. Think about the kind of work you would enjoy performing in your new position. People who do what they love, love what they do.

2. Be vocal. Tell your superiors that you’re interested in taking on the additional responsibilities associated with the role you aspire to. After all, they’ll never know that you want to move up the company ladder if you don’t tell them. They may even help point you in the right direction by providing you with guidance and helping to establish goals.

3. Time it right! Make sure that you’ve proven yourself and your commitment to the company before bringing up the topic of promotion. Join committees, take on additional responsibilities and demonstrate your enthusiasm prior to bridging the subject.

4. Consider relocating. If the position you want is filled by a star company player, look into other divisions of your company. If you’re willing to move to pursue a new opportunity, you might make moving upward a whole lot easier.

5. Build a network. Identify people in your company who support you. Make sure that your coworkers have faith in your abilities and know that they can rely on you to come through. “Go-to” people make their way through the ranks more quickly than those who keep to themselves.

6. Ask for guidance. Find people who are working in positions similar to what you’re seeking. Ask them for suggestions on how you can advance your career in a similar direction.

7. Go to school. If you need additional skills, enrolling in school can help you get the tools you need to advance your career.

8. Get feedback. Ask your superiors for written evaluations on your performance.

Knowing what the big-wigs think of you will help you determine when it’s appropriate to ask for a promotion.

Getting a promotion can be very self-assuring. It lets you know that you’re on the right track and that you’re valued as an employee.

But, before you start moving up the company ladder, make sure that you’re headed in the right direction. A lot of people assume that any upward motion is positive. That’s not always the case. Before accepting a promotion, think carefully about whether you’ll be happy in the new role and whether it will benefit your long-term career goals.

If you have any other tips for our readers on how to get ahead at work, I’d love to hear from you.