How to Manage Up So Your Work Is Noticed
by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Many people who are good at their jobs think their excellent work should speak for itself: All they have to do is perform well, and they'll be at the top of the promotion list. The reality, of course, is a bit different.
"It's not enough to just do a good job at work. You have to let people know that you're doing a good job at work," said Susan W. Miller, owner of California Career Services in Los Angeles.
Give Regular Updates
Frequent updates are a good way to make sure your boss realizes how much you contribute.
Michael Dobson, co-author of "Managing Up: 59 Ways to Build a Career-Advancing Relationship with Your Boss," recommends sending your boss a half-page weekly summary of your accomplishments. Think in terms of how you made or saved the company money or prevented a crisis -- though you shouldn't use those labels in the report, Dobson said. This is also a good place to note areas where you could use help from your boss.
What if you're not sure you could list any achievements in these areas? "If that's the case, then it's probably a good idea to take a hard look at what you're actually doing during the week," Dobson said.
People also hesitate to toot their own horns for fear of looking conceited. But "you're not only entitled to some self-promotion, you're obligated to do it because your boss needs the information," he said.
Get on the Radar
This strategy may not work in every case; if you tell your boss you're planning to send these updates and get a negative reaction, ask what is the best way to keep the boss in the loop.
Things get trickier when you're trying to give updates to people other than your boss. Your boss' boss likely gets too much email to appreciate a weekly status report from you, and you don't want to look like you're going over your boss's head. The trick is to take advantage of every opportunity you have for contact with upper management -- and maybe create some opportunities of your own.
"Don't ever believe that memos and emails are informal and therefore it's safe to cut corners," Dobson said. Beware of grammatical errors or a whiny tone. "Emails are frequently the only thing that those above your boss know about you."
Welcome Chances for Visibility
When you're at a meeting with your boss' peers and superiors, make time during a break to introduce yourself. If you've presented information at the meeting, you could ask if they have any more questions, for example. "You're not just another name on the agenda then," said Richard Phillips, career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions in Palo Alto, California.
If you don't find yourself at meetings with upper management, there may be other ways to get on their radar screen. Miller suggests volunteering to work on a United Way campaign or other corporate project. These committees "give you some visibility and give you an opportunity to talk to people you wouldn't necessarily talk to," she said.
The key is to interact with these top managers so that they feel comfortable around you. "That's what gets you noticed," said Debra Benton, an executive coach and author.
by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Many people who are good at their jobs think their excellent work should speak for itself: All they have to do is perform well, and they'll be at the top of the promotion list. The reality, of course, is a bit different.
"It's not enough to just do a good job at work. You have to let people know that you're doing a good job at work," said Susan W. Miller, owner of California Career Services in Los Angeles.
Give Regular Updates
Frequent updates are a good way to make sure your boss realizes how much you contribute.
Michael Dobson, co-author of "Managing Up: 59 Ways to Build a Career-Advancing Relationship with Your Boss," recommends sending your boss a half-page weekly summary of your accomplishments. Think in terms of how you made or saved the company money or prevented a crisis -- though you shouldn't use those labels in the report, Dobson said. This is also a good place to note areas where you could use help from your boss.
What if you're not sure you could list any achievements in these areas? "If that's the case, then it's probably a good idea to take a hard look at what you're actually doing during the week," Dobson said.
People also hesitate to toot their own horns for fear of looking conceited. But "you're not only entitled to some self-promotion, you're obligated to do it because your boss needs the information," he said.
Get on the Radar
This strategy may not work in every case; if you tell your boss you're planning to send these updates and get a negative reaction, ask what is the best way to keep the boss in the loop.
Things get trickier when you're trying to give updates to people other than your boss. Your boss' boss likely gets too much email to appreciate a weekly status report from you, and you don't want to look like you're going over your boss's head. The trick is to take advantage of every opportunity you have for contact with upper management -- and maybe create some opportunities of your own.
"Don't ever believe that memos and emails are informal and therefore it's safe to cut corners," Dobson said. Beware of grammatical errors or a whiny tone. "Emails are frequently the only thing that those above your boss know about you."
Welcome Chances for Visibility
When you're at a meeting with your boss' peers and superiors, make time during a break to introduce yourself. If you've presented information at the meeting, you could ask if they have any more questions, for example. "You're not just another name on the agenda then," said Richard Phillips, career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions in Palo Alto, California.
If you don't find yourself at meetings with upper management, there may be other ways to get on their radar screen. Miller suggests volunteering to work on a United Way campaign or other corporate project. These committees "give you some visibility and give you an opportunity to talk to people you wouldn't necessarily talk to," she said.
The key is to interact with these top managers so that they feel comfortable around you. "That's what gets you noticed," said Debra Benton, an executive coach and author.
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