You think you're doing a good job, but your boss doesn't seem to notice. Here are a few ways to raise your profile.
1. Be available. It's fundamental. When others can't make it because of snow or rain, you can. If you find the boss comes in early or stays late, arrange your schedule so you are there to help if needed. If others leave early on Friday, stay until the boss leaves too.
2. Volunteer outside of work. Make a name for yourself in an area outside the organization, and the prestige will trickle down. You will gain leadership capabilities.
3. Get it done. Meet deadlines that other people can't. There are always people who can do what "can't be done." Be one of them.
4. Be a star among co-workers. Give information, cooperate, help. Word will soon get back to your boss that you are the one others ask for to work on a project with them.
5. Solve your own people problems. Bosses don't like it when the staff can't get along or when there is rivalry among employees. If there's a reasonable path to resolve conflicts without asking your boss to intervene, take it.
6. Build good relationships with your colleagues. Ask people to go to lunch or have break room conversations. Ask if you can help when they are overloaded.
7. Ask the boss what else you can do when you finish a project early. Showing bosses that their needs are important to you is a good way for you to become important to them. You get the right kind of attention.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
