If I work hard, people will notice. If I skip my vacation this year, my manager will reward my commitment to the team. Surely management has noticed that I am the first one to arrive to work in the morning, and the last one to leave in the evening. My boss knows everything that I do for him/her throughout the day. The executive team knows who the A+ players are in the workplace. Do you believe these office myths? I hope the answer is NO!
In today’s workplace, workers cannot be passive, shy, and reluctant to share their accomplishments and successes. Today’s workforce needs to share their accomplishments and successes with managers, peers, and through social media regularly. It is through sharing information that we are able to be in the driver’s seat of our career path. Do not wait for the annual review period because you may not get the chance because of economic downturns, layoffs, manager reassignments, and company reorganizations.
For some individuals self-promotion of accomplishments can feel unnatural and self-serving while others recognize it is through self-promotion that their efforts and accomplishments are noticed in the workplace. Self-promotion builds self-confidence, leads to promotions, and paves the way for new opportunities. Today’s workforce needs to be comfortable being their own public relations advocate. Don’t assume that someone else is sharing your good news.
Here are some ways you can promote your accomplishments:
- Use social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to promote title changes, promotions, committee assignments, employer changes, and work-related accomplishments.
- Encourage human resources staff and your manager to share your accomplishments in local newspapers, business subscriptions, and throughout the company. These accomplishments could include: a promotion, passing a certification exam, accepting a significant committee/board assignment, an award, taking on new responsibilities, or contributing/volunteering within the community.
- Talk about your accomplishments with peers, friends, and family members.
- Submit articles to highlight your good news to blogs, associations you are a member of, online journals, newsletters, college alumni publications, local newspapers, and other written publications.
What will you do differently over the next 30-60 days to promote your accomplishments so you can be the driver of your career?