It’s a common problem for many people. You feel like you’re doing everything right in your job. You’re ticking all the boxes on your to-do list, you have an unwavering work ethic and are fulfilling your job description to a tee. In theory, you should be crushing it. So why isn’t your boss showering you with admiration or offering you that next big promotion?
We all want recognition for the hard work we do. Not only do we want a better title or bigger paycheck, but we also crave the feeling of knowing that our work is appreciated and of value.
The reality is that if you are ticking off your to-do list, you are likely surrounded by coworkers who are also ticking off their to-do lists. This makes it difficult to stand out, especially in a large organisation.
So how do you get noticed? Here are some tips that you can implement today that will help you stand out among the crowd.
Find out What Is Valued at Your Workplace
One of the best places to start is to actually figure out what is valued most in your workplace. You might be doing a fantastic job at meeting your targets but your boss would actually prefer if you spent some extra time coming up with new ideas or processes. You might be staying late after work every night but it’s actually those in the office who come in early that are getting commended. The simple fact is that if you want to be rewarded in your work you have to find out what matters to your boss, whether it be finding cost efficiencies, collaborating with others or innovation, to name a few.
Act According to the Role You Want to Be In
We aren’t saying it’s time for you to walk into the office and boss everyone around. Or that it’s time to start taking on other peoples projects that have nothing to do with your role. What we mean is instead of waiting around to be given more responsibility, go out there and offer to take on more responsibility. Show leadership and initiative by offering to assist on new projects or tackle a job that requires you to expand your skillset.
Think about if there is anything on your boss’s or coworker’s list that you could help with. This could even be something small like watering the office plants everyone else neglects. Consider if there are any projects that will have an impact but everyone else has been avoiding or too busy for. Even if your title is only “Intern”, you have to take initiative, put yourself out there and act like you are CEO material.
Speak Up
This is a big one. If you want to be seen, you also need to be heard. In order to be noticed amongst your peers, you need to be willing to put yourself out there. By adding something constructive to a meeting that you would have previously just observed, you will be much more likely to be remembered as being there. Of course, only speak up when it’s appropriate and make sure you have something to add. But even just agreeing verbally with a co-workers point can show that you are actively engaged with the conversation. Speaking up can be difficult and sometimes daunting, but the more you do, the more confidence you will build in yourself and your capabilities.
Build Rapport
Having a great work ethic is awesome but often people make the mistake of going into a bubble and forgetting about everyone else around them. While you may be getting all your work done, no one around the office is going to notice you much. How will anyone think you care about your work if you don’t at all care about anyone who works there?
To get that promotion or raise, you need to do more than simply get your work done, you have to put effort in to engage with your coworkers and superiors. Build rapport everywhere, with everyone. Your office network and relationships are just as important as the work you are doing. You never know how far talking —and just as importantly—listening can get you.
Ask for and Work on Constructive Feedback
The dreaded constructive feedback…we all know how uncomfortable and difficult it can be. Especially when you thought you were doing a great job. However, the only thing worse than knowing what you have to work on… is not knowing what you have to work on.
Approach your superior and organise a performance review meeting. Be specific. Tell them that you would love to grow in the company and that you would like to know exactly what you need to do to be considered for that higher up role. Set some KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators), and then go out there and work on them. Think about the moment when you will be able to go back to your boss, with all the evidence that you deserve a promotion. Now that’s memorable!
While it’s not at all realistic to expect to be congratulated for everything you do at work—after all, you are just doing your job—we know that being noticed by your boss as a standout employee is crucial for career growth. Using these above tips, we hope that you will not only stand out but soon, with some persistence, those promotions and opportunities you have been chasing, will start chasing you.
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