Go big or go home, right? Well sometimes that cliché is dead wrong, especially when it comes to your job. There are several different things you can do at your job to get noticed, but not all of it has to involve pom poms and fireworks. Maybe you feel awkward “showing off” to your boss or coworkers, or simply want to get noticed but don’t want to be too obvious. Turns out: you’re in luck! There are so many things you can do on the job that will not only make you stand out, but also make a big impact in the workplace.
1. Dress the part
This one may seem obvious, but dressing appropriately for your work environment is key. Whether you’re the coffee girl, an intern or an actual employee, dressing like you belong in the workplace is the first step to being taken seriously. Tamara Peters, a career development specialist at Rutgers, says that what one wears is a big clue to who they are as a person. It influences how you perform on the job, too. “What you wear also affects your confidence and the more confident you are at work, the better. Pay attention to what other people are wearing in your office and follow suit,” Peters says. “As the common phrase goes, “Dress for [the] position you hope to have.”
2. Make sure to always be on time
Punctuality is key. It shows that you’re dedicated to your workplace and can handle the simple yet sometimes hard-to-achieve responsibility of getting to work on time. Tom Dezell, author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naive Job Seeker, says that your colleagues and bosses value reliability. So by establishing a pattern of being on time as well as having excellent attendance, you’re showing yourself as someone who can be trusted. By being on time, you can also ensure that you’re giving yourself every opportunity to improve in the workplace as well as making yourself available for new and more important tasks.
Related: 8 Things You Should Never Do at Work
3. Accept that you have weaknesses
Everyone wants to be the best at their job, but unfortunately you cannot master everything you need to know. If you realize you have a certain weakness or someone points it out to you, don’t feel bad—there’s always room for improvement. According to Dezell, one should always keep moving forward. “Accept that you have weaknesses, then take quiet steps to improve them,” Dezell says. “Find a co-worker who is strong in that area and ask about his or her strategies.” This way you show that you are willing to keep learning, while also gaining knowledge and networking with your coworkers.
4. Be solution-oriented
When something goes wrong, it’s an obvious reaction to feel upset. In the workplace, it is especially important to keep your calm and try to fix what is wrong. You don't want to push the problem on your supervisor, but you do want to keep them in the loop; let them know what the issue is, but be ready to present next steps. “It’s tempting to meet with your supervisor and tell him/her that something isn’t working. But think from your supervisor’s perspective and what he/she is trying to accomplish.” Peters says. “When presenting an issue try to also present possible solutions. They may not be implemented, but you’re taking the time and demonstrating that you have the ability to think strategically.” This way you avoid all the negativity and instead are trying to move the job forward. It is an added bonus to show yourself off as someone who can solve problems instead of just dwelling on them.
5. Think about subtle self-promotion
You never know who in your workplace you’re going to be running into. Whether you’re at the office, in the building or even at a social gathering, anyone important to the company can show up any time. Peters advises you to always be ready to interact with someone important and to make sure to practice your introduction: “Keep it simple. Start with your name, then your title and department and a few sentences about how what you do contributes to the organization… you never know the next time you’ll run into, or meet someone new.” By keeping yourself prepared, it’s possible that you could impress this person enough to open more doors throughout the company.
These are just five of the very many small gestures you can do to impress your boss and show that you are dedicated to your job and the company's goals. They may seem insignificant at first glance, but the reality is, it's the small things eventually add up to very big opportunities.
