Getting noticed at work is crucial for career advancement and growth, however, it can be difficult if a co-worker or colleague is constantly stepping in to take credit for your efforts. First off, get real with yourself; why doesn’t the management team see how hard you are working? Are you in a remote environment and working virtually? Are you too shy or timid to speak up in meetings? Before blaming a co-worker for your lack of advancement – reflect on your own behavior in the workplace to get noticed. You can grow your career in positive ways by using dedication, hard work and still maintaining some humility. Follow the steps below to show up at work with your best foot forward.
- Perform your job well: Consistently deliver high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations. Take initiative, be proactive, and meet deadlines. If your manager doesn’t see this directly, ask for a meeting to update them on progress to show off your work.
- Set performance and career goals: Set clear and measurable goals for yourself and strive to achieve them. Communicate and review them with your manager and reflect on them every few weeks to measure performance against your highest priorities. This shows your commitment and motivation to excel in your role.
- Take on additional responsibilities: Look for opportunities within the department or organization where resources or expertise are lacking. Look to find opportunities to take on extra projects or tasks that align with your skills and interests. Volunteer for challenging assignments or cross-functional teams, demonstrating your willingness to go above and beyond.
- Build positive relationships: Foster good relationships with the broader team of colleagues, supervisors, and other stakeholders in your organization. Be friendly, supportive, and approachable. If you collaborate and help others, they will return the favor to you. Others will start to view you as a true team player.
- Stay updated and share knowledge: Keep yourself informed about trends in your industry and new technologies. Share relevant insights, articles, and knowledge with your team. This will consistently demonstrate your expertise and add value.
- Seek feedback and learn from it: Actively seek feedback from your managers and peers. This is sometimes hard to ask for and hard to hear. However, if you are open to constructive criticism you can use it as an opportunity to improve your skills and performance.
- Showcase your achievements: When you achieve significant milestones or complete successful projects, don’t hesitate to share your accomplishments with your manager or team. You can thank them for their support along the way while still allowing for visibility of your accomplishments.
- Finally, keep a positive attitude: Be a team player, supportive of your colleagues, and maintain a can-do mindset even in challenging situations. Be the person that people want to work with and have on their team.
By focusing on how you can improve in the workplace, the co-worker who took credit for your earlier work will soon fade into the background as you will continue to shine.