Back to Basics: Gaining Visibility
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Having done several Drive Your Career programmes recently, I have yet again been struck by the gold in the core messages that come from our research – and how valuable our clients find these, and how quickly they start to apply them. Based on that, I thought that for the next few blogs I would return to the key foundations to review our core career activity.
One of the first places to begin is to consider visibility.
We all know that visibility is key to helping you advance your career. In the same way that an organisation needs to get its name out there to bring new customers into its sales funnel, we each need to have new people being interested in using us for new opportunities – as well as making sure that older contacts remember us too.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that visibility does not mean style over substance. If you are getting your name out there, but there is nothing behind it, people will soon lose interest. But when you’ve worked hard, and have delivered fantastic stuff, why wouldn’t you want people to know about it?
So, what can you do to raise your visibility?
Visibility is crucial and much easier – and more likely to be fruitful – with people you already know. Double check the health of your network and reignite any relationships that have lapsed.
One of the first places to begin is to consider visibility.
We all know that visibility is key to helping you advance your career. In the same way that an organisation needs to get its name out there to bring new customers into its sales funnel, we each need to have new people being interested in using us for new opportunities – as well as making sure that older contacts remember us too.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that visibility does not mean style over substance. If you are getting your name out there, but there is nothing behind it, people will soon lose interest. But when you’ve worked hard, and have delivered fantastic stuff, why wouldn’t you want people to know about it?
So, what can you do to raise your visibility?
- Tackle your existing network first
The people already in your network who are your high-quality contacts are often the most neglected. Make a mind map of each area of your life and put the names of the people in your network against it – people at work, clients, friends, people from your professional association, fellow community members, and so on. Basically, who are your key contacts? Then think about the last time you updated them on what’s going on in your world. Contact the ones that are fading fast – or who you know would love to help you, if they knew what you were looking for. - Volunteer
Regular readers will know that I’m fairly obsessed with this concept! I think that raising your hand and agreeing to do something you could have just walked past can make a powerful impact on those around you. The wartime adage “a volunteer is worth ten pressed men” certainly rings true. Whether it’s volunteering internally for charity initiatives, learning events, roadshows or initiatives HR need help with – or externally for charities or professional bodies – it’s an easy way to impress people and raise your visibility. - Be sociable
In our worlds of busy-ness, this is becoming increasingly difficult. People used to laugh when I suggested this as a tactic, often querying how something they enjoy can be great for their careers. But of late I’ve been surprised by how many people say “Yes, I really should be doing that.” It doesn’t have to take you ages, just try being more chatty – ask people how they are at the coffee machine, be prepared to talk about what you’re delivering at the moment, go to the pub with people if they’re going, and try to make sure you share journeys with people. Sharing news and talking without an agenda is an important use of your time – allocate time to this! - Engage in meetings
Don’t be a wallflower! If you tend to be quiet in meetings, think about 3-4 things that are very important for the meeting and make sure you inject them into the discussion. Alongside that, also set yourself a target that you’re going to respond to at least three things that other people say. People will notice.
Visibility is crucial and much easier – and more likely to be fruitful – with people you already know. Double check the health of your network and reignite any relationships that have lapsed.