7 Tips to Get Noticed at Work and Advance Your Career

You want to be noticed at work and to heighten the visibility of your accomplishments and contributions that benefit and bring value to your boss, colleagues, and organization. With the demands of daily work life, bosses and senior management can overlook what you’re bringing to the table.

Take control by shining a light on your accomplishments professionally and assertively. Self-promotion is an essential tool in your career “tool kit”—it shows that you value yourself and your talents enough to bring them to key people’s attention. Self-promotion is done at the right time to the right people. Taking credit and being more visible will help you achieve your career goals and make you a valued, respected team member.

Here are a few tips to help you raise your profile:

1. Think like your boss

Learn your boss’s goals and the organization’s mission. Aim to see the bigger picture from their point of view. Senior leadership is always thinking about the company’s long-term success. Demonstrating shared values between yourself and the organization will help you get recognized as someone who helps move the company forward.

2. Raise your hand for high-profile projects

Take on more responsibility. Volunteer for important projects that you can lead, expand your capabilities, and raise your visibility. For example, your supervisor has two crucial meetings on the same day—major presentations to senior leadership. Volunteer to give one of the presentations. Attending a key stakeholder meeting allows you to identify stakeholders’ needs and showcase what you have to offer. Know who will be at the meeting, arrive early, choose two or three people you don’t know, and make it your goal to get to know them and be sure to mingle among everyone. From just this one action, you’ll be seen as a leader/team player and be thought of when other opportunities arise. Exposure to executives is vital to recognition and advancement.

3. Be dependable

Dependability is a critical interpersonal skill. Being dependable means you are reliable, responsible, collaborative, and accountable. You honor your word with action. Your clear and frequent communication ensures stakeholders keep abreast of essential developments. Dependability builds trust, and others know they can count on you.

4. Share your expertise and recognize your colleagues’ achievements

At every opportunity, share your best practices and experience in a genuine way: at meetings, on conference calls, in bi-monthly reports, and e-mails. Show your boss, your team, and stakeholders how you can help them be more effective and successful, which shows you are committed to their success, not just your own. Give your co-workers genuine compliments and positive feedback for their contributions, strengthening collaboration and morale.

5. Expand your network

Networking is a skill that takes time. Your professional network can open doors for you, and you can do the same for others. It’s a two-way street. You learn from each other and help each other. Cultivating these relationships is critically important to your career. Getting to know people in your organization and your industry is also enjoyable. Grow your circle of colleagues, sponsors, and mentors by helping each other and attending company functions, workshops, and industry conferences.

6. Develop a portfolio

Have a ready portfolio focusing on what distinguishes you and highlights your achievements, including special training, leadership accomplishments, promotions, and awards. Keep a folder to update a current portfolio when needed quickly.

7. Have a growth mindset

A growth mindset is a focused, positive way of thinking while being an avid learner. Reaching your full potential requires knowledge, learning, practicing, and refining skills with the right effort and deliberate practice. Work hard and smart. Go the extra mile and strive for excellence.

Make 2023 the year you take action to be more visible and create a more significant impact. Raise your hand. Step up and take an intelligent risk. Keep learning and stay up to date in your industry. Have the confidence to showcase your accomplishments, make meaningful contributions, and advance to the next level of your career while helping your company move forward.

Filed under: Leadership | Professional Development | Get Noticed | Influence Management