Getting people to know who you are and what you can do – inside and outside your organization – is one of the key ways to move your career forward. Yet it is probably one of the hardest things to accomplish.

Being good at what you do is great. But unless other people – especially those that have control over your upward movement in your company and those that have reach within your industry – know about you, your career can get stalled.

An often-used approach by many professionals is to “cc” managers on those emails that highlight the work they are doing and the progress they are making. Yes, this definitely helps, especially if those managers read all their email. But there are more proactive ways to spread the word and make yourself more memorable.

Based on my professional experience what I see work is:
INCREASED VISIBILITY + STRONG PERSONAL BRAND = BETTER CAREER PROSPECTS

I won’t focus here on the social media aspects of gaining visibility here. My focus is on the face-to-face contact that sets off viral word of mouth buzz. Here are some ways to gain visibility while at the same time define your personal brand.

WOW THEM

Aim higher. I’m not saying that you don’t do a great job all the time, but there are many times when you should be aiming for even higher. Presenting at a meeting or attending a meeting? The questions you ask and the comments you make should spotlight not only your knowledge but should provide insight into how you think. Are you creative, thoughtful, analytical, resourceful, or flexible? This is the time to stand out and be noticed not only for the value you bring but also for your unique way of doing it.

SHOUT IT OUT

Join professional organizations where you can actively participate in managing and growing your extended network. Join the leadership group and actively participate in any way that makes you more visible to members – join committees, spearhead projects, join panels, contribute to newsletters. It’s a great way to brand yourself within your industry.

Participate in outside activities that allow others to see your many sides. Adding other dimensions to your personal brand makes you more likeable and more memorable. Add more color to your personality through a variety of activities like sports, local projects, literary pursuits, artistic passions, language proficiency or any other areas that interest you. Your bonds with your extended network will be deeper and stronger both inside and outside your company and industry.

GIVE A HELPING HAND

Volunteer to be a mentor to someone inside your organization and/or through your professional groups. It’s a great way to brand yourself and grow your exposure while helping others at the same time.

Become a connector. Introduce your professional colleagues and friends to one another.  We all need larger and more focused networks. This will strengthen your personal brand as well as help you increase your own network.

Help others when they need it. We all need a helping hand sometime in our careers, sometimes more than once. By giving freely of your time and your contacts you’re building social capital, strengthening your brand, and doing good.

So work on your visibility, develop a stronger personal brand and you can be sure that you and your career will benefit because of it.

Are you interested in changing jobs, managing your career better, developing a personal brand that works for you and not against you, then let’s talk. Contact me.