When it comes to getting the career opportunities and promotions you deserve, having a strong work ethic is not enough.
The people who have the biggest impact on your career advancement — company decision makers, hiring managers or your bosses, for example — are often overwhelmed with many responsibilities. As a result, they may not notice all of your hard work unless you amplify your contributions strategically.
Professional visibility matters. After all, if no one knows about your value or accomplishments, you cannot get rewarded for them.
By using the three strategies below to grow your visibility, you’ll make it easier for others to recognize the value you bring to your workplace.
1. Take credit for your work
Many of us tend to be generous in our praise for others but are uncomfortable acknowledging our own work. The next time you attend a team meeting where there will be opportunities to give shoutouts, don’t stop at giving kudos to your co-workers. Speak about your own contributions, too.
Come prepared to discuss the scope of your work and the impacts of these contributions. Most importantly, tie these contributions to the business priorities or goals of your organization. Especially if you work remotely, mention the most impactful work you have done behind the scenes that your boss may not be aware of.
Alternatively, if you’re not yet comfortable putting yourself in the spotlight or speaking up during meetings, start with baby steps. For example, instead of speaking about your own contributions, ask a trusted co-worker to give you a shoutout during the next team meeting and provide specific talking points for them to use.
If the idea of self-promotion scares you, remember this: when something goes wrong on a project, you might have to take the blame or take ownership of your mistakes, so you might as well take credit for your work when projects are going well.
2. Apply for awards – both internal and external
Another way to gain visibility is to apply for awards. Take some time to learn about the ways your company recognizes high-performing employees, and ask your manager if they would be willing to nominate you for internal recognition opportunities.
As you prepare to apply for awards, make a habit of tracking your progress and reflecting on your work throughout the year. It’s easy to forget the details of the contributions you have made, so block at least 30 minutes in your calendar every other week to track your work wins and to take notes on what you have accomplished. When award application deadlines and performance reviews come around, you will thank yourself for tracking your progress on a regular basis.
In addition to applying for awards offered by your company, consider applying for awards or recognition lists managed by professional associations, media publications (such as Forbes 30 Under 30 local lists), alumni associations or university departments at your alma mater. These external recognitions can grow your credibility and feature your work in front of a larger audience, including hiring managers at other companies.
If you d0 win an award or a spot on a recognition list, don’t forget to share the news with your managers, so they can amplify and celebrate your accomplishments as well.
3. Spotlight your expertise by teaching others
Some employers offer opportunities for employees to lead lunchtime seminars, also known as “lunch and learns.” If this applies to you, volunteer to spend 30 to 60 minutes teaching your peers about a skill or topic that you are well versed in.
Teaching short seminars will direct more attention to your expertise and also demonstrate your willingness to contribute to the learning of others. This is one more item you can discuss during your performance review or when you make your case for a raise.
If your company does not have a lunchtime seminar program in place, pitch the idea to your managers. These types of informal gatherings can be great ways for companies to engage employees without having to spend money on external speakers or trainers. Plus, if you initiate a lunchtime seminar program, you will create opportunities for your co-workers to grow their visibility as well.
You can also share your expertise with a wider audience by speaking on panels at industry events, leading workshops at conferences, posting about your work on LinkedIn, guest speaking at university classes or teaching students part-time as an adjunct instructor.
The benefits of teaching are not limited to growing your visibility. Teaching external audiences will grow your credibility by positioning you as an expert or thought leader in your field. It is also an opportunity to deepen your craft. The questions posed by students and peers will challenge you to think more critically about the work you do and how it can be applied in different contexts.
What are some other strategies that have helped you successfully grow your professional visibility? Share your stories by commenting below or sending me a message on LinkedIn. Your response may be featured in a future Forbes article.
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