Maddy writes:
I am a young lady who is looking to climb “the ladder.” I have been with this company for two years and although have managed several pay raises and taken on more work in other areas of my job, I have not been promoted. I enjoy my work and don’t want to leave, but recently have felt as if I am hitting my head against a brick wall.
My superiors are very busy people and when I do report to them they don’t seem to have the time, and I feel like I am wasting theirs. I have been thinking of doing some sort of weekly report or review to let them know what is going on in their centers with a copy cc’d to the managing director (as requested by him) but am frightened it will come across as fault-finding and am not sure how best to set one out?
How would be the best way to assert myself without coming across as a blow-hard?
The Career Doctor responds:
You have all the right instincts, but you might want to tweak your actions. I agree that unless requested, some bosses might see that type of report as overstepping your job.
To get ahead in a timely fashion — either with your current employer or with a new employer — you must build your career brand. What is your career brand? It helps define who you are, how you are great, and why you should be sought out. Branding is your reputation. Branding is about building a name for yourself, showcasing what sets you apart from others, and describing the added value you bring to a situation.
Will you get promoted and move forward with your career without taking such a proactive approach? Yes, but most likely not at a pace you desire.
As management guru Tom Peters states, “we are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc.”
One way of building your brand is to promote yourself with your current employer. Workers often assume the boss knows your accomplishments, but often times s/he does not. Certainly at review time, have a list of all you have achieved since your last review, but also consider finding ways to let the boss know your successes throughout the year.
But don’t stop there. You can build your brand by also promoting yourself outside the company through building your reputation within the industry. Other strategies for building your brand include becoming an expert (writing articles, giving speeches), building and nurturing (networking) relationships, gaining additional experiences and accomplishments, and obtaining additional training, education, or certifications.
Read more in my article published on Quintessential Careers: Building Your Brand: Tactics for Successful Career Branding.
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