Tips for Climbing the Corporate Ladder
Recognition at work comes from self-promotion. It almost never happens on its own, especially if you feel shy or inadequate. Self-promotion isn’t reserved for public relations executives, high-profile corporate leaders, or billionaire media moguls. Every business professional, if they care about their career, should make sure they are noted, recognized, and showcased at work. You know more than you realize and have a unique perspective about your industry. Your contributions are important and they deserve to be showcased. If properly planned and executed, this smart career plan will ensure your personal path to professional success.
Building a Good Reputation
A large, prestigious publicity machine isn’t required for self-promotion at work. It’s not as hard as it seems. Lobbying for a promotion is about building a good reputation and positioning yourself as an authority in your industry. That way, people will think of you first when they need advice. Self-promotion shouldn’t be reserved for special events or projects. Every time you meet someone, speak up in a meeting, or go to lunch with a client, you have a chance to do a little self-promotion. Follow these 6 tips to promote yourself at work more often.
- Be Reliable —
- Be Smart —
- Be Known —
- Be Grateful —
- Be Helpful —
- Be Accessible —
If you do what you say you will do, people will trust you. Being reliable will show that you are committed. It is important to have a strong character. People who possess a high level of integrity will make others take notice. Standing by what you say is the number one method for promoting yourself at work.
Make sure you always have business cards available. Nearly 30 million business cards are handed out every day. If someone asks you for a referral, write down the place or the person you had in mind on your card. Carry a few in your wallet and suit jacket. Keep extras in your vehicle so you never run out.
Make sure everyone you know is informed about what you do for a living. Neighbors, church members, family, and friends should all know how to contact you. To find out that someone you know wrote down someone else’s name on their business card when they did a little of their own self-promotion would be a business tragedy. Ask what others do for a living. Get to know them. Then they’ll ask what you do and you can share, share, share!
Regularly send thank you notes and congratulations to coworkers and clients. Remember their birthdays. If someone is in construction, and you read an article in the paper, share it! This is an excellent way to be sociable and get the conversations rolling. Having common interests will help you stay connected and feel grateful that you work with such a compassionate team.
Make referrals to colleagues as often as you can. Adding sincere value to others increases the know-, like-, and trust-factor. If a coworker needs assistance, volunteer! If a client needs a little extra help, be sure you’re the one who steps up to help out. Actually being the giving type gets you noticed as the giving type. Then when your boss is ready to give you a raise or a promotion, maybe he’ll feel generous too.
When it comes time to attend corporate dinners and social events, don’t be a hermit in your hotel room. Come early and stay late. Get up and mingle. Talk with everyone you meet. Attend picnics, parties, and get-togethers as often as you can. Return phone calls and emails in a timely manner. When you leave a job, stay in touch with your contacts.
Self-Promotion: BE RECOGNIZED
Perspective, humility, and the right attitude are vital to a successful career as an executive. Be sensitive to how you are perceived by others. You don’t want to come across as someone with low self-esteem, or as someone who is boastful. Be the person people want to run to for advice, but don’t be afraid to ask for some yourself. If you don’t know the answer to something, find someone who does. Don’t pretend to be a know-it-all. Self-promotion at work will get you recognized as someone with great value. Follow these tips to be committed, smart, known, grateful, helpful, and accessible, and you will eventually be recognized. Self-promotion is a smart career move. Isn’t it time you start moving?
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Leave a message in the comments below.
