Be Noticed at Work

Workplaces can be extremely competitive! It can be tempting to rely on gimmicks like flashy clothes or jokes to stand out at work, but this can backfire if you’re looking for a promotion. If you want to get noticed by your superiors at work, the best way to stand out is to conform to your workplace, do quality work, and be a good colleague.

Steps

Fitting In

1. Practice good hygiene. You don’t want to be noticed because you smell strongly or wear unwashed clothes. Make sure you come to work clean and well-groomed--it can make a big difference!
   • Don’t go overboard and use lots of scented products. Many people dislike strong perfumes and some workplaces even have rules against them.
2. Follow the dress code. Being noticed because your clothes don’t follow company policy will not be good for your career. If your job requires a uniform, make sure it’s ironed, fits you properly, and that your shoes and accessories conform to the dress code. If you don’t wear a uniform, read the company dress code carefully before you get dressed to go to work.
   • If you want a promotion, dress the way your supervisors do.
3. Learn about your company's culture. Knowing what’s appropriate for your particular workplace will help you get noticed in all the right ways. Some workplaces are very formal and discourage workers from socializing or doing anything that isn’t work. Other companies want their workers to be friends with each other and act casually. Take your cues from your supervisors, not your co-workers.
   • If the CEO of your company wears shorts and flip-flops, wearing a suit every day will give the impression that you don't understand the company's culture. Dress more casually and talk about your hobbies more at this kind of company.
   • If your job expects you to wear full business suits and follow strict protocol at all times, don't bring in a radio or change into your gym clothes at the office.
4. Show up on time or early. Showing up late to work stands out in a very negative way. If you can’t get to work early, show up on time for every shift. People will remember you for your punctuality and courtesy.
5. Follow the rules. Some workplace rules can seem pointless or aggravating, but following them will show your supervisors that you’re a conscientious employee who cares about the company’s policies.
   • Get your own copy of the company handbook and check it regularly.
   • If a company rule is harmful or violates someone’s rights, speak to human resources or your supervisor.

Doing Quality Work

1. Focus on quality, not quantity. Your supervisors will not be impressed if your work is finished quickly but full of mistakes. If you have a list of tasks to complete, focus more on completing each task correctly than on finishing the entire list quickly.
   • Don’t take too long to finish up, however. If you are struggling to get quality work done in a reasonable timeframe, talk to your supervisor about ways to improve.
2. Finish your work on time. If you’re given a deadline, don’t ignore it or assume it can be pushed back. Keep a list of your deadlines in your planner or online, and check it daily. You should only ask for a deadline extension in emergency situations.
3. Communicate with your coworkers if there’s a problem. If you are going to be late to work, late on a deadline, or if you make a mistake, talk to your teammates or supervisor immediately. People appreciate a worker who communicates about issues quickly instead of saying nothing.
4. Stay late if you can. If your workplace is struggling to finish a task, stay late to help them out--it will be remembered! If you genuinely can’t stay after work hours, ask your supervisor if there’s a way you can contribute during your shift.
5. Seek out ways to improve your performance. Don’t wait for your evaluation to talk about ways to improve. If you’ve been struggling with certain tasks or skills, talk to your supervisor about it now instead of waiting for them to bring it up. They’ll remember your initiative.
   • Keep the conversation positive and be careful not to give your supervisor the impression that you expect them to fix your problem for you. If you've been warned about mistakes in a company program, you can say something like "I've been struggling with mastering this new program, and it's been affecting my ability to present quality work. Is there a tutorial or handbook I can look at to help me improve my understanding of the program?"
6. Take on new challenges. Be proactive and ask your supervisor if there’s anything else you can do, like a new project, or a new set of skills. Your interest in improving your skills and moving up in the company will be noticed.
7. Promote yourself. Don’t be afraid to remind your supervisors of your abilities. If you have the chance to talk to someone higher up in the company, mention a few of your achievements during your conversation. It doesn’t have to be bragging--if you meet the CEO, you can introduce yourself by your name, department, and a recent project you led, for example.

Being a Good Colleague

1. Help your coworkers. If you see a coworker struggling, do what you can to help them, especially if it’s an emergency. Be careful not to neglect your own work to help others, or get into the habit of finishing your coworkers’ tasks for them.
2. Socialize with your coworkers. Some people think that doing a good job is the only criteria for promotion, but in many workplaces, being a team player is just as important. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone at work, but if you’re friendly and sociable, you’ll be noticed for it. Smile, make eye contact, and ask after your coworkers.
3. Avoid saying negative things about your coworkers. Don’t gossip about other employees, ridicule a coworker’s appearance, or offer unsolicited negative feedback on someone else’s work. If you are directly asked by a supervisor to assess a coworker, be honest, but don’t be unnecessarily negative.
   • For example, if your teammate is always late, instead of saying that they’re incompetent and should be fired, say that they could improve their punctuality.
4. Participate in workplace events. Many people dislike workplace events like “Silly Hat Day” or company picnics, but avoiding them can give your supervisors the impression that you don’t like your colleagues. Do your best to participate--it’s a great way to meet people higher up in the company outside of a formal work setting.
5. Avoid discussing your personal life. You should be friendly with your coworkers, but don’t get too personal. Talking too much about your personal life can be seen as unprofessional, and your supervisors may question your judgement. It’s okay to mention that you have children or a partner, but you shouldn’t discuss breakups, your intimate life, or family problems.
6. Donate to office funds. If you can afford it, donate to office funds like charity drives, baby showers, and emergency assistance. Refusing to contribute to these could earn you a bad reputation. If you really can’t participate in all of them, donate to one or two, or offer to help in some other way.
   • For example, if your office collects money for birthday cakes, you could offer to pick up the cake instead.

Tips

• Be as accurate and quality conscious as you can in everything you do.
• Don't try to show off.
• Don’t take credit for others’ work.

Related Articles

• Get a Promotion
• Deal with Problems at Work
• Communicate a Workplace Problem with Your Employee

References

See also

• Be Indispensable as a Senior Employee
• Deal with Mass Quantities of Paperwork
• Dictate
• Be a Good High Quality Worker
• Gain Respect when You're a Young Executive
• Work Cooperatively in an Office Environment
• Increase Your Value in the Workplace
• Flowchart Your Job
• Avoid Back Office Politics
• Use Time Management in the Workplace

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• Be a Good High Quality Worker