Doing your job well isn't going to get you anywhere if no one is aware of your accomplishments. Market yourself effectively to the right people.
Most people wait until they are looking for a new job to think about marketing themselves. But passing up opportunities to gain favor at work through tactful self-marketing can cost promotions, raises and what most employees really want: general recognition and appreciation. It's important for employees to learn the proper ways to sell themselves not only to prospective employers, but current bosses.
- Make friends with your boss. Stopping in the doorway for a few minutes every couple of days gives you a casual chance to catch up on events both in and out of the office. Some bosses are more open to this than others, obviously, and you need to decipher if, how, and when your boss likes to be approached. But the biggest mistake is staying at your desk while your boss stays at his, or only going in when you're called for a meeting. With little informal interaction, you lose important opportunities to learn valuable information about what makes your boss tick and to be seen yourself.
- Get to know your boss' boss too. Depending on your level within the company, your boss' boss may be within reasonable walking and speaking distance of you. If the hierarchy allows for it, get to know this person casually. Having a good relationship with him or her may make a huge difference when it comes time for your boss to discuss raises, promotions, and layoffs with his bosses. Be sure to start cementing these relationships soon after starting the job.
- Put positive things in writing and spread the news if you can. Have a definite solution to a problem that's been vexing your department? Want to report how you finally scored big with a client? Put it in an email and cc people connected to the project being discussed. It solidifies your accomplishments, and that paper trail of your achievements is something your boss can refer to during reviews or at other key times. Be sure, however, not to make the tone too self-congratulatory - keep it factual and let the good news speak for itself.
- Always speak up at meetings. According to Phyllis Korkki's New York Times article of July 20, 2008, "Another Meeting? Say It Isn't So," people prefer to stay silent in meetings rather than risk looking silly or having their ideas shot down. However, what most people fail to consider is the benefits of speaking up: being viewed as a team player who wants to contribute and who comes armed with ideas. Try to contribute something - and keep it positive - so that your voice is always heard. Just asking an insightful question can show that you're engaged in the business at hand and not just counting minutes until the meeting is over.
- Quantify and qualify, if possible, your contributions. If you're in a sales job, this is fairly easy, but even other employees can find ways of showing how they've contributed to the bottom line. Know how your work directly contributed to the success of the company and be armed with this info during reviews or requests for raises.
- Find a way to bring new or unexpected skills to the table. What you were hired to do does not have to comprise the sum total of what you actually work on. Speaking a second language, for instance, could be helpful at a company that wants to expand internationally; offering your translation skills could make you an invaluable asset. Again, though, you want to be sure that any additional responsibilties get immediate attention and are recognized at your next performance review; you don't want to fall into the rut of doing far more than you were hired to do and not getting paid for it.
- Get to know people in different departments. Keeping your finger on the pulse of the entire company gives you a broader picture of what is going on. Higher-ups may also be impressed with your knowledge of things outside of your department, and being a source of that information for your boss may make you invaluable to him or her.
- Make nice with secretaries and administrative assistants. These often-overlooked gatekeepers can sometimes wield unexpected influence. Casual conversations with them may be relayed to their bosses, so it can't hurt to keep them informed of what you've accomplished. They can also be of help when you're trying to see someone who is eternally busy: a friendly executive assistant can often magically "find" time on a calendar, or let you know the best time to drop by.
Many people note that it's not the employee who works the hardest that gets the promotions and raises, but those with the best connections or of whom people have the most favorable impression. This is why it pays for all employees to invest time in tactful but confident self-promotion. For further tips on how to develop self-promotional and marketing skills, read The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People WIsh They'd Learned Sooner by noted business consultant Peggy Klaus. Giving careful thought to marketing yourself at your current job can make looking for a new one unnecessary.
The copyright of the article How to Market Yourself at Work in Career Advice is owned by Leian Welch. Permission to republish How to Market Yourself at Work in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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