08. Get Noticed (Ensure Visibility of Your Merits and Value)

Get Noticed (Ensure Visibility of Your Merits and Values)

Sachin was distraught.

The promotion opportunity that came up in his department, where the job profile matched his skills perfectly, was bagged by a candidate far less experienced than him.

When Sachin approached his superior to understand why he hadn’t been considered for the role, she simply said the selection panel didn’t know anything about Sachin, as compared to the candidate who was selected, so she couldn’t convince them that he was the right person for the job. The selection panel decides to go with someone they recognized and knew.

And that successful applicant was well known to the panel – he had built strong connections with influential people and had represented the department at company-wide gatherings. As a result, they knew his work and the scope of his abilities.

This is a fact of life. And although it seems unfair, it’s actually natural human tendency.

Let’s say, you need to visit a dentist. You get to a spot where there are two dentist clinics across the road from each other. Let’s call them Dentist A and Dentist B. You’ve heard of dentist A from a trusted neighbour, who speaks very highly of that dentist. You know virtually nothing of Dentist B, although both their signboards show that they are equally qualified. Where would you rather go?

Most people would take their business to Dentist A, even if Dentist B’s signboard boasted higher qualification. Because you don’t decide your own credibility – others do.

Bottom line: People will always – always pick the option they recognize over an option they know nothing about.

That stands true for the workplace too. The people who get noticed bag the best assignments, while those who keep their heads down – hardworking as they might be – miss out. It pays to get noticed (for all the right things, of course.)

You can’t always bank upon others, such as your boss, to increase your visibility for you. Instead, you need to assess how to maximize your visibility so that you’ll be an automatic choice for opportunities when they arise.

New entrants to the workforce are full of passion and are all for making an impact, but they soon gather that others have low expectations of their abilities. If you are a millennial new hire, your superior probably views you as a rookie who has a lot to learn and prove. You can end up feeling idle when you are revving to contribute.

Liz Wiseman, President of Wiseman Group while conducting research for her book, Rookie Smarts, found that those new to something important and difficult (regardless of their age) are surprisingly strong performers. In knowledge industries, such as tech/biotech, consulting, and education, these rookies tend to outperform experienced professionals – especially in innovation and speed.

So you know what you’re capable of – now it’s just a matter of showcasing it right.

Salient Points to Getting Noticed

Flying below the radar and completing daily tasks by itself will not help your cause of getting noticed. If key people aren’t aware of you, you’ll likely miss out on opportunities for promotions and pay hikes, despite your hard work and good performance – like Sachin in our earlier example. It’s not only what you know that matters – it’s who knows that you know it, too.

Many people feel uncomfortable at the thought of promoting themselves, so they assume a passive role in the workplace, hoping their work will speak for them. The fact is that doesn’t always happen. Your hard-work needs a face to go with it too. And it’s up to you to make sure that face is seen.

Let us now take a look at some strategies to getting noticed and ensuring visibility of your merits and values.

1. Ask for more responsible assignments.
Are there any assignments you could take on that have a big impact on your organization’s performance? Don’t wait for your manager to assign these projects to you – ask to work on them as soon as you get an inkling about it. This will enable you to exhibit your skills that have been underutilized. Be specific with your superior about how you think you can contribute to improving the process and departmental efficiency.

2. Volunteer to represent your department at meetings, on planning committees, and on projects
A proactive approach to work is noticed by the management. Working with cross-functional teams also gives your talents exposure outside of your own work area. If you’re sceptical about your public speaking skills, start by giving presentations to colleagues in small team meetings. As you develop your skills and gain confidence, you can speak at bigger events

3. Build your relationship with your superiors
Be in constant touch with your superiors. Give them a heads-up on relevant issues. Share what’s on your mind, and make suggestions for improvement. You may have a formal evaluation process in place, but it’s always a good time to speak to your superior periodically and seek opportunities to raise your profile.

4. Request the opportunity to participate in seminars and training classes.
Look for opportunities to join relevant professional development programs and participate in its events. Share all that you learned and how you plan to apply the new information at work. When you attend them, make an effort to contribute to discussions, and partner with people you don’t already know in “break out” sessions so that you can build your network.

In Conclusion

As you can see there are many simple ways that can help you become more visible, even if you are not naturally outgoing. Get noticed- ensure visibility of your merits and values and you’ll shine like the star you were meant to be.