You put in the time, you feel like you’re giving 110 percent to the job and to your agency/company, but it just doesn’t feel like you’re getting something out of it. Maybe you want recognition? Maybe you want growth? You maybe even want a promotion? How do you make sure that all your hard work gets noticed and yields what you want out of your job? Here are some tips.
First off, it isn’t always about working harder. There are numerous times when, as a manager, you see people who are working incredibly hard, but doing the wrong things. Or they are doing too many things to such a degree that the most important things aren’t getting the attention they deserve. Obviously, the manager’s responsibility is to help redirect that activity, but sometimes that is even harder to do than it sounds.
So many of us are driven to get everything done all the time with 110 percent effort — A+ work. However, that is rarely a possibility given the time and budget constraints of every business and employee. So, more important than knocking out an impossible task list, are you doing the right things and doing those at the 110 percent level while getting comfortable with letting go of the least important things? It’s OK to get a D- in some classes here in Working World University; that gets you valedictorian status here as long as you’re getting A++ in the right places.
Care about the details
I can’t tell you how often I hear from college students that they’re really good at “strategy” and that’s where they’re best suited within a business. They see strategy as big-picture thinking and idea generation. I find that, typically, they’re overlooking everything it takes to get into a role like that.
First and foremost, you have to be able to execute first and get the details of your role right every time. That means crafting coherent, productive communications consistently, doing your timesheets properly (if those are a part of your job), being on-time and prepared for meetings, and managing your to-do list (aka “Get shit done”). These sound like the basics and maybe even obvious, but they are also the foundation from which you can launch into anything else you want in your career and some of the easiest things to prove that you deserve the next step up in your career.
What matters most to the company?
What are the things that tend to get noticed around your organization? It isn’t the same thing everywhere, and I am sure that, in your organization, there have been other projects, successes, or people that have been noticed or rewarded in your time at the company. What story was told as to why those involved were recognized for their work? What did you observe actually happened? Between those two things (which aren’t always the same thing), you will find the formula.
The unfortunate reality is that, sometimes and in some organizations, no matter how hard you try, if your work doesn’t meet a certain set of criteria, it is easily overlooked. For example, (and I am not saying this is right) new business is king and current client wins are second fiddle. Or award-winning creative gets noticed while the daily grind is less-than. If recognition is what you want, then find your way on to some of the more noticeable projects.
Don’t just do your job, do some others!
To be noticed, doing your job may not be enough. Volunteer for high-visibility projects or activities. Get to know other people in other groups to understand your team’s relationship to another. This might inspire some of your own thinking about what the company needs and how you can solve an important problem. That gets noticed.
Anticipate needs
When you are thinking ahead and prepared for what comes next, people take notice. If you’re the one with the Plan B when a Plan B is needed, then you and your preparation will definitely be noticed.
Start new things
This can feel contradictory to the idea of staying focused on the handful of things that make the most difference. However, this is a worthwhile exception. If you are the person who is leading the way in areas that will make the company better, even in small ways, then it is easy to notice who a group may be following. So even if you’re the one leading the charge to happy hour (tactfully and responsibly, mind you), then leaders see you as someone who takes initiative. That’s a good thing.
Make others look good
If wherever you go, the work around you elevates, then good things happen whether or not you get recognized formally. Team players tend to get more opportunity because the captains picking teams tend to pick people who make the team better.
Show up
When there are opportunities to be seen, you should seize those opportunities. All-company meetings, outings, optional meetings — those are all chances to increase your visibility, learn, interact, and build rapport. With rapport and visibility, your ideas get heard and opportunities arise.
Build relationships
As you interact with others, including your manager or senior leaders, you have the chance to build a relationship. It is OK to make it personal, but only to a point. Keep it professional, too.
Craft your narrative
What is the story you want to tell? What do you want to be known for? That is dependent on the role you want later in your career and what your company values most. If you want to be the hard-worker, then there are ways to illustrate that through effort. If you want to be seen as an invaluable strategic resource, then you need to contribute fresh thinking and new, practical ideas. Be ready with your story and repeat it often because, frankly, managers have other things on their mind and aren’t always the best at providing recognition despite probably wishing they were better at it. You are helping them help you by telling your own story.
Be clear on the win-win
Ultimately, if you’re trying to make the case that you should be recognized for your work or get promoted, you have to not just think of yourself, but also think about the value you have created and will create for the company. It is all about the win-win, and if you’ve started by thinking about what you have done and/or can do beyond what anyone else in your position might do, then you’re in the best possible position to receive the recognition you deserve.
Conclusion
Hopefully, through this article you have distilled these 11 ways into a couple themes. In thinking critically about what I am saying, you will notice that this is generally about creating value beyond your current role by doing a few things well. Then, increase your visibility broadly. And finally, have a good communication plan to feed any future accolades. As with any of the pieces I write, I hope this was helpful in developing your career in marketing. Best of luck!