As we look to seize that incredible career opportunity that is perfect for us, we know we need to stand out and position ourselves for success. Still, in a 2014 study conducted by Thompson Reuters, 76% of women find self-promotion, advocating for themselves and expressing their talents to be challenging. So how do we self-promote without sounding, well…self-promoting?
As a 22-year-old woman on her first day at a big consulting firm, bright-eyed, and ready to change the world, there was nothing quite as humbling as arriving at Chicago’s Union Station….and then immediately getting lost in a sea of people who all looked just like me – down to the suit, the bag, and perhaps even the degree.
I felt almost indistinguishable from everyone else, and that feeling of insignificance rocked me.
I vividly remember declaring I would do all I could to stand out, get noticed, and make an impact. I just didn’t want to alienate the people around me in the process.
Over the years, I’ve learned that while there is certainly a time and place to list your accomplishments, there are other ways to promote yourself that minimize the number of eye-rolls you may get in the process.
Here are 3 simple strategies to stand out and get noticed without alienating your colleagues:
- Focus on what’s in it for THEM
Whether you’re up for promotion, negotiating work-life balance or selling your next project, it’s common to focus on your qualifications, accomplishments and what makes you different. While those things are important, the key is to tie them back to what “they” value most.
Lead with THEIR challenges and priorities, rather than with YOUR achievements. Focus on helping them solve their problems and achieve their goals, rather than on what you want, why you deserve it and how they can help you. Demonstrate the value you provide in a way that gets them thinking, “I need more of that!”
Another place to demonstrate your value is in your elevator speech.
Early on in my career, when people asked what I do, I would say, “I’m a healthcare consultant.” I’d get blank stares, and often would ask, “what does that mean?” I’d stumble on my words, trying to explain it, sharing examples of projects, roles, titles, and accomplishments.
With some coaching, I created my 30-second elevator pitch.
The problem was I could never remember it.
Then a mentor of mine gave me brilliant advice. She challenged me to shorten it to one sentence that speaks to (1) Who I help (2) What I help them accomplish (3) How I help them accomplish it.
“I help my healthcare clients achieve their financial, strategic, and quality of care goals by aligning with physicians.”
Not only do I use this in networking conversations, but I’ve written it in my LinkedIn profile and in the intro to my resume and bio.
Try it!
- Align with the right “who”
One of my first mentors advised me to “look beyond titles,” because they don’t always align with those who are most respected and influential.
That advice stuck with me.
There’s a halo effect that develops when you align yourself with the right “who.” Their reputation extends to people’s perception of you, and soon you’ll find you’re exposed to some of the exciting opportunities they were driving.
Identify who those people are for you. Learn what their priorities are. Consider how the work you do impacts them. Prepare a few short sound-bytes (one sentence if you can manage it) where you can share something you’re working on that aligns with their priorities. Finally, seek opportunities to work more closely with them.
- Get famous
As I continued to progress in my career, I began to think more about what I wanted to be known for. This was mostly important because there were certain roles and type of work that I preferred to never have to take on again.
It might be easy to follow the hot trend, but when deciding on what to be famous for, focus on not only what you’re good at, but what you are also incredibly passionate about.
Build a brand rooted in your purpose and the value you provide, and that will follow you wherever you go. Start by sharing information relevant to your profession and expertise that your network would find beneficial. Share directly or on social media. Seek opportunities to get published. Speak at internal events and external conferences. Slowly you’ll start to get famous in your area of expertise, and that can be powerful.
Whatever you choose to do, let that passion and expertise shine through, and people will seek you out!
When I look back on that day at the train station, I can’t help but chuckle at my panic that I might be “just like everyone else.” Today, of course, I recognize that in that sea of suits, I was in good company.