Posted under Career Management on April 29th, 2008
Should there be a downturn, and downsizing hits your company, you want the odds of staying to remain in your favor. Building or enhancing a positive reputation helps, no matter what the circumstances. But if you can lift yourself even slightly above the crowd, you will be ahead of the game. Employees, whose skills, knowledge and attitude raise departmental performance, even slightly, and helps create a positive, supportive environment are valued. So, how do you establish yourself?
First, make sure you are conversant from a laymen perpective with any technology relevant to your job or department. Get beyond the email and understand how your job is impacted by whatever technology is relevant. If the products you sell are computer-based, achieve a basic understanding of how these work. If the tools of your job, in areas such as manufacturing, finance or logistics, depend on information systems take the time to learn how technology helps manage these areas. And, if you have an opportunity to learn how a new piece of equipment works, or how a software application drives the business, get familiar with it. Most people are like drivers. They can drive the car but have no idea what goes where under the hood. You don’t have to become an expert but a little knowledge with some depth can go a long way in raising your status in the eyes of peers and supervisors. Ideally, if you become the “go to” person on even minor technical questions, it makes a difference.
Volunteer for those activities that others shun, such as the annual charity drives, the holiday events, the company activities, environmental programs, industry awards programs, safety committee and on and on. There are three benefits to these activities. Even though senior managers may not want to participate, they will be grateful because these are all morale building activities. And, the positive exposure to senior management doesn’t hurt.
Continue to network, both inside and outside the company by joining professional or trade organizations and business forums. The ability to speak knowledgably about the competition or the industry, especially to your boss, can be very helpful as a person who keeps in touch. It also makes you more employable by building outside contacts. Even networking within the company is helpful. It is always good to know what’s going on because you can gain a greater sense of how you fit into the company. You may also discover opportunities in another department. Don’t forget, most new job opportunities never get posted.
When evaluating employees it is easy to forget their small, but helpful, accomplishments. One way to maintain your visibility is by creating a paper trail. When a project is completed write a summary and send it to those who should know about the results. If you discover a way to save some time or money share the information with your colleagues. Over time these items mount and a personnel file full of memos about accomplishments can’t hurt. Just be sure to take credit cautiously and diplomatically. If you have saved the company some money tell your boss one-on-one, not in meetings.
However, while it makes sense to share positive results, it is also a good idea to keep knowledge to yourself. After all, if there are certain aspects of the business you know best, don’t write them down because you want your boss to understand that if they lose you, they also lose a knowledgeable person.
Working hard to create a credible reputation as a competent professional may not be easy. People are encouraged to be innovative and creative, yet in a team context. Establishing your individuality, yet performing within a team can be a contradiction and create potential conflict. Yet, we are on our own and have to deal with it.
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