One of the biggest struggles employees face is to stand out at work—getting the good work that their co-workers and superiors will notice. So how do we make this happen?
Many people are unaware that while you are offered a job, it is your responsibility to be a part of the company and do whatever it takes to succeed. To demonstrate your value to your supervisor, you must constantly look for ways to save or make money for the company.
While you are hired to do your job, just “doing your job” isn’t enough. You need to go beyond the call of duty and build a reputation for doing so. You’ll benefit from potential promotions and better projects, and you’ll gain respect by standing out at work. So, if you want to stand out at work, read our tips below.
Don’t Sit Quietly in Meetings.
We’ve all been in meetings where there are people that talk and people that do not. To get noticed, you need to speak up and voice your opinion. Whenever you have a suggestion or comment to make, make it. You’re not going to sound stupid for thinking it. It’s likely that someone else has thought about it but doesn’t dare to say it. Also, don’t be afraid to disagree with others, but make sure it’s done respectfully and constructively.
Leaders do not remain silent during meetings. If you want to advance in your career, you must first be present in it.
Always Offer Positive Ideas and Suggestions.
If you’ve got any ideas that you think may make things at work more efficient, suggest them. Even if your suggestion isn’t taken up this time, keep making suggestions whenever you can. Ensure that your overall contribution always remains positive.
Perhaps one of your suggestions will eventually gain traction, and you will make a difference at work. However, sometimes the simplest suggestions have the most influence.
Volunteer to Present
Whenever an opportunity to give a presentation comes up, volunteer for it. Although it may seem daunting at first, presenting is one of the most valuable skills to build confidence and form relationships with people. And after you’ve presented to others a few times, you’ll get more and more comfortable doing it. People will start talking to you about your work and ask for advice.
Do Things Without Being Asked.
If you see something that needs to be done, but nobody else is doing it, do it! Take action on your own initiative, even if it’s a little thing like reloading the copy machine. People who help out stand out.
Consider what would happen if your company announced potential staff cuts soon. An employee who is the “brainer” person and adds value to the company is far less likely to get sacked than an employee that is quiet, doing their job, perhaps well, but does not stand out as a staff that is indispensable to the company.
By assisting others and having expertise, you’ll stand out as a great employee—one that most companies don’t want to lose.
Always Offer to Help Others.
Be the person that people can come to for help and advice. Give them someone to talk to, an ear to listen to their problems. Suggest solutions to their problems. When someone fails, it benefits no one. Assist them until they are able to get back on their feet, and one day they’ll return the favor.
Going over your standard job duties will help you advance your career no matter what your job is.
When upper management or the company’s CEO receives feedback from a customer as regards you, it’s a big deal.
Be Proactive.
Anticipate problems that may arise and figure out how to fix them. Don’t wait for things to happen. Be reactive. Most things can be prevented from happening with a little thought.
Be Organized
Develop a positive reputation for your organizational skills. Make sure that you’re reliable and meet deadlines. Create to-do lists, carry a pen and paper to note down requests when they are made of you, and have a calendar posted in your area. These are all good tips that’ll help improve your organizational skills.
When there is a newbie around, you could coach them and show them the pegs around that role, if similar to yours, and you can also advise people who want to enter the same field.
Becoming a mentor shows you’re well organized and demonstrates your knowledge and expertise while demonstrating your concern for the advancement of other employees in the company.
Join Committee.
We’ve all got those moments when we realize we could do more if we wanted to. So make a plan and execute it when you have that opportunity, or you can also run it through with a supervisor.
Become part of a company that goes beyond your job role. Find out what committees or groups your company has and join one where you feel you can make a useful contribution.
When an outside email comes into the company about a new initiative, you could respond by saying, “This sounds fantastic! Please get me posted if there is anything I can do to assist. I’d love to be a part of it!”
Employees who volunteer for a good cause or an important project are noticed by management.
Look the Part and Be Well Groomed.
One of the ways to also stand out at work is to express yourself through your clothing.
Style and grooming play a crucial part in how others perceive you and help create a good first impression. Ensure that your hair looks neat and tidy, that your breath smells fresh, and that your nails are clean and trimmed. Shower and shave daily and wear clean, ironed clothes that align with the company’s dress code.
On a side note, depending on the company’s policy on dressing, feel free to go bold and vibrant or cool and understated, use bright colors, and mix and match various elements as long as you keep it classy, as long as it doesn’t violate the company’s policy.
Your physical appearance conveys a strong message to those around you about how you feel and want the rest of your colleagues to perceive you.
When dressing for yourself, the most important thing to remember is to be confident in your skin. Fashion models can walk down a runway in ridiculous outfits, but their self-confidence makes them cool and desirable, and you can do the same. In addition, people are more likely to respect you if they believe you are interesting and unique compared to if you simply blend in with the crowd.
Take the Lead
If you’re part of a team, and a project leader is required, why shouldn’t it be you? If it’s not you this time, still make sure you contribute. Offer your ideas and suggestions. Don’t be afraid to disagree with things that don’t make sense. Once again, do this respectfully, and you’ll get noticed.
You don’t have to be promoted to exhibit leadership to stand out from your colleagues. Being a team leader doesn’t necessarily mean telling others what to do. Instead, it’s usually about assisting individuals and groups in creating synergy and accomplishing great things by working together. Then, when the time comes to tell someone what to do, they will listen and obey since you have taken the time to build a strong team.
You stand out at work the moment people start looking to you for answers, even when more experienced or senior people are present. So if you miss a meeting and people notice, that’s a good place to start. Even better if they postpone the meeting until you can be found.
Never Talk Trash About the Company.
Alongside your daily task, always find it joyful to talk great about things about the Company as if you are its Chairman. Ask questions if you disagree with something. Running around slandering the company or complaining about your job is career cancer. It will destroy any opportunities for advancement and promotion and may even result in losing your job.
When at work, always look for ways to improve the company. Take part in taking your company to the next level.
If you demonstrate that your interests extend beyond yourself, your profession, and your earnings, you will stand out and position yourself to become a future leader in the company.
Nail Point
Many people in the workforce want their employers to recognize their efforts. However, to stand out at work necessitates commitment and implementing critical workplace strategies.
To stand out at work, consistently produce high-quality work when given small or large-scale assignments. Your managers are more likely to notice your work ethic if your work is consistent and of high quality. Committing to producing excellent work shows the employer that you want the company to succeed.
