How to raise your visibility at work

Has this ever happened to you? A senior position comes up at work. You match the job exactly, but don’t even get an interview.

What went wrong? The selectors didn’t know you, so you weren’t even considered for the job. To get promoted, you have to be well known, especially by influential people, and to have spoken often at meetings and company events.

That’s true no matter how hard you work — because being good at your job isn’t enough. You also need to get noticed by key people, or you’ll miss all sorts of opportunities. It’s not only what you know that matters, it’s who you know. And who knows you.

But maybe you don’t like being in the spotlight? Feel uncomfortable promoting yourself? Don’t worry. It’s not hard to become more visible, even if you’re not naturally outgoing.

Your boss

Start by building your relationship with your boss. Don’t only talk about your work during formal appraisals. Constantly discuss what’s going well, how you could add more value, and listen for opportunities to raise your profile.

Are you shy in meetings? Uncomfortable sharing your ideas? Worried how others will react?

Read the agenda in advance and discuss it with other attendees. Especially the points you might want to bring up. Your preparation will give you the confidence to speak at the meeting.

Push yourself to take part, because meetings, especially inter-departmental, project and committee meetings, are a great opportunity to showcase your knowledge and increase your visibility.

Speak up in smaller groups to begin with, as you develop your skills. Then as your confidence grows, start contributing at bigger events.

Join groups like Toastmasters to build your speaking skills and practice them regularly.

Don’t wait for your manager to assign you to projects — ask to work on anything that involves working with people in other teams, or that has an impact on your organisation’s bottom line.

They’ll help you build relationships with people elsewhere in the organisation, and expose you to more senior managers.

Taking charge

Build your knowledge and get known as the expert in something you enjoy. So that people come to you for help. Share your knowledge by writing for your company’s intranet, newsletter or publicity material. Offer to give training courses, create a common interest group, and speak about your area of expertise at company events.

Think strategically to grow your network. First be clear about your networking objectives — like getting a particular job — and then think about how best to reach the people who can get you there.

Meet them at work, find out who knows them, where they socialise and what professional organisations they belong to. Find a mentor to champion you within and outside the company.

And don’t just focus on yourself. Highlight other people’s achievements, and always share the credit for your successes with team members.

That way you’ll increase your visibility without boasting or stepping on other people’s toes. And opportunities will start coming your way.

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