How to Advocate for Career Goals

I spent too many years thinking my boss was responsible for my career. Or the company. Or a magical fairy godmother. I thought it was everyone else’s job to advocate for me. To push me. To help me advance and grow. And I completely missed the fact that it was me. It was always ME. Our job is to be the biggest advocate for our careers. We are in the driver’s seat. And we can’t take a back seat and expect someone else to do the driving. Here are ten ways to start advocating for your career not tomorrow, TODAY: 1️⃣ Take a seat at front of the table, not at the back of the room. Be visible. Log onto that Zoom early, make sure people know you are there. Don’t shrink to the corner of the screen or room. 2️⃣ Raise your hand 🙋🏾♀️ Ask that question. Show you’re engaged and thoughtful and there to contribute. I always ask a question early on in the meeting to build my confidence to contribute more later. 3️⃣ Ask to be put on that assignment Make sure you are working on assignments that are priorities for the company. Especially in this market. 4️⃣ Coach your peers on their work You don’t have to have direct reports to have influence. Guide peers who ask for your help: position yourself for the next level by acting like you are at the next level. 5️⃣ Build a career development plan If your boss won’t help you do this, ask a colleague to be a sounding boarding or a friend outside of work. Understand what your goals are this year and what you want your next two roles to be. 6️⃣ Focus on one new skill you want to build What’s one new skill you want to learn that can help with your career growth? Pick it and commit to it. Block 30 minutes on your calendar daily to work on it. Make this time non negotiable. 7️⃣ Take credit for your work Even if they won’t let you in that meeting, share what you are working on with others. Whether that’s it in 1:1 conversations or in team meetings, make sure you let others know the impact you are making. 8️⃣ Get meaningful feedback If your boss keeps saying you’re killing it or avoids giving your feedback, ask others. Show up with what you think your strengths are and areas of opportunity to get their reactions. 9️⃣ Keep a track of your wins Start a Google doc or grab a notebook, and down all of your wins and the end of every month. This makes it easier to do your self evaluation during performance review time and update your resume. 🔟 Always have your resume ready Whether you are looking for internal or external, always have your resume ready. And make sure it’s not saved on your work lap, especially in this market where layoffs are happening every day. How do you advocate for yourself at work? #leadership #culture #inclusion #MitaMallick

Yesterday I led a workshop for women in private equity, and one theme kept surfacing: self-advocacy feels impossible when you’re already fighting to belong. It's the paradox these women face every day. They need to speak up more to get noticed, but when they do, they risk being labeled “aggressive.” They need to promote their wins, but they’ve been socialized to let their work speak for itself. They need to build relationships and visibility, but the informal networks often happen in spaces where they’re not invited. Nevertheless, self-advocacy isn’t optional, especially for women working in male-dominated industries. Research shows that women’s contributions are systematically attributed to others, that our ideas need to be repeated by men to be heard, and that our expertise is questioned more frequently than our male colleagues’. Self-advocacy isn’t about being pushy or aggressive. It’s about being intentional with your voice and strategic about your visibility. Here are four concrete ways to advocate for yourself starting today: 1. Master the “credit redirect” When someone repeats your idea, immediately respond with: “Thanks, John. I’m glad you’re building on the solution I proposed earlier. Let me expand on that framework…” This reclaims YOUR ownership while maintaining professionalism. 2. Document your wins in real-time Keep a “victory log” on your phone. After every meeting where you contribute, jot down what you said and any positive responses. Reference these specifics in performance reviews and promotion conversations. 3. Practice strategic amplification Find one trusted colleague who will amplify your contributions in meetings. Agree to do the same for them. When they share an idea, respond with: “Sarah’s point about the data analysis is exactly right, and it connects to…” This mutual support system works. 4. Lose the “self-shrinking” language.  Stop saying “I’m sorry to bother you.” Stop saying “Maybe we could…” Stop saying “I’m wondering if…” Stop saying “I’ll make it quick.” Take up space. Make your mark. Trust that you and your ideas are worthy of other people’s time, energy, and attention (and most certainly your own as well.) The reality is that in many industries, we’re still fighting to be heard. But we don’t have to fight alone, and we don’t have to wait for permission to advocate for ourselves. Your ideas deserve to be heard and you deserve credit for the value you bring. What’s one way you’ve learned to advocate for yourself at work? The women in yesterday’s workshop had some brilliant strategies to share too. #womenleaders #privateequity #womeninmaledominatedindustries

I see it time and again, humble, hardworking leaders are often overlooked for the opportunities they want. They hoped their work would speak for themselves, but it didn't. It bears repeating that we have to stop waiting to be picked and advocate for our goals and desires. But your leader should "just know" right? I know it's tempting to think that other people are thinking of us and what we want, but they aren't. As it's famously said, "people are too busy worrying about themselves." Stop waiting to be picked and invest in yourself! Here are three simple ways you can take charge of your own career so you can be a key player in the talent pipeline: 1️⃣ Own your talents and experience. As a former HR leader, I can attest to the fact that men will apply to jobs that excite them (whether they were qualified or not), while women will talk themselves out of it, citing doubt, imposter feelings or “not feeling qualified yet.” ➡️ Try this: Update your resume and use this as an opportunity to own your wins. Use this evidence to give you a little confidence boost, but remember, you can apply and interview for your next-level job while also feeling doubtful. 2️⃣ Share your goals. People are horrible guessers and if they don't know what your goals are they can't help you, advocate for you or choose you. ➡️ Try this: Add a “professional goals and progress” section to your regular check in with your leader. 3️⃣ Ask for support. It used to be that the majority of coaching in the business world was for senior executives (read: male c-suite leaders). But now, as coaching and training programs have become more accessible to leaders of all levels, what are you doing to invest in and ready yourself to grow professionally? ➡️ Try this: Find a professional development program that excites you and ask your leader to cover some or all of the cost. In this ask, you can state the program goals and at least three ways the employer will benefit from your learnings and growth! Remember, at the end of the day your career is too important to leave it up others, hoping they'll notice your hard work and good intentions. Who have you shared your goals and aspirations with recently?

Your silence is killing your career. I've watched talented people get passed over for promotions for years. The common thread? They kept their ambitions to themselves. Here's the hard truth: No one is coming to rescue your career. No one will magically discover your hidden talents. No one can support dreams they don't know exist. Here’s how to start speaking up — today: 1/ Schedule a quarterly career conversation with your manager. Don't wait for review time. Develop a career growth plan with specific asks for support, mentorship or stretch assignments. 2/ After big wins, email leadership. Share the impact you've delivered and what’s next. Show you’re thinking beyond delivery. 3/ When someone asks “How’s work?” say: “I’m working toward [goal] — what challenges are you facing?” Small talk → strategic talk. 4/ Volunteer for projects tied to where you 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to go — not just what you’re good at now. 5/ Book 15-min chats with people you admire. Ask curious questions. Listen closely. Build advocates. Your manager isn't a mind reader. Your colleagues can't recommend what they don't see. Your network can't connect you to invisible goals. The most successful people I know? They don't hope someone notices their work. They don't silently resent being overlooked. They don't expect loyalty to be rewarded automatically. They state their ambitions clearly, repeatedly, and to the right people. What career goal have you been keeping to yourself? Drop it below — you never know who’s reading. Your growth is too important to keep quiet about. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

One skill that has been instrumental in my professional development throughout my career is the ability to advocate for myself. As my grandmother said, “A closed mouth doesn't get fed.” 🗣️ I asked for a promotion after demonstrating the value of my contributions was worth another role altogether. I got it! 📚 I asked for support in pursuing senior-level certification even though nothing supported it in the handbook. They built it into the budget. I earned it! 🛬 I asked to attend a conference to support an enterprise system I administered. They paid for my flight, hotel, and conference. I came back more enabled than ever which produced even more outstanding results. 💰 I asked for additional funds to pay for college classes exceeding the $5250 typically covered. They wrote it into the budget. 🤑 I have always strategically negotiated my terms when joining a new organization, primarily if I negated a bonus and a significant increase at my last employer. I earned my worth! Here are a few simple steps to help you effectively advocate for yourself: 1️⃣ Be clear about your goals. What do you want to achieve, and will this benefit the company? The more specific you are, the easier it is to make a compelling case. 2️⃣ Gather evidence. Collect data that supports your request. This could include performance metrics, accomplishments, or testimonials. Go with facts, not feelings. 3️⃣ Practice your pitch. Rehearse what you want to say to ensure you deliver your message confidently and clearly. 4️⃣ Choose the right time and place. Find a moment when your manager or supervisor will likely be receptive to your request. 5️⃣ Be prepared to negotiate. If your initial request is denied, be open to discussing alternatives or compromises. Following these steps can increase your chances of successfully advocating for yourself and achieving your career goals, including gaining support to earn an HR Certification! If you need assistance presenting a business case to help you earn your HR Certification, we can help! Click the link and let us know in the comments section: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gcYPa93Q #datHRguy HR Certified - 🏆 2023 Best In America Small Business Award Winner #humanresources #professionaldevelopment #hrcertification #motivation

When I first started at my company, I was eager to take on more responsibilities but hesitant to speak up. I worried that my request might be seen as overreaching. Then, a mentor gave me invaluable advice: "Opportunities are rarely given; they’re taken." This changed everything for me. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on my journey to help you leap: ➙ Self-Assessment 📝: Before asking for more, evaluate your current workload. Are you consistently meeting your deadlines and excelling in your tasks? This will show that you're ready for additional responsibilities. ➙ Identify Areas for Growth 🔍: Look for gaps in your team or company where you can add value. It could be a project that's been neglected or a new initiative that aligns with your skills. ➙ Prepare Your Case 📊: Approach your manager with a clear plan. Highlight your achievements, explain how you can contribute more, and detail the benefits to the team and company. ➙ Show Enthusiasm and Commitment 💪: Demonstrate your passion for growth. Enthusiasm is contagious and shows that you're genuinely invested in your role and the company's success. ➙Be Ready for Challenges 🚀: Taking on more means stepping out of your comfort zone. Be prepared to tackle new challenges and show resilience. After implementing these steps, I not only got the additional responsibilities I wanted but also gained the trust and respect of my colleagues and superiors. My career growth skyrocketed, and I felt more fulfilled in my role. Big Lesson: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Take charge of your career by proactively seeking out more responsibilities. You'll grow, learn, and stand out as a proactive, driven professional. How Do You Go About It? 📞Regularly communicate with your manager about your career aspirations. 📞Seek feedback and use it to improve continuously. 📞Network within your company to identify potential growth opportunities. Have you successfully asked for more responsibilities? Share your experiences and tips below! Let’s inspire each other to take control of our career paths. 🚀 ————————————————————————— Meeting me for the first time? I’m Rudy Malle, a clinical researcher dedicated to improving public health outcomes, and a career advisor helping ordinary professionals take their careers to the next level to enhance visibility for individuals and companies. #CareerAdvancement #ProfessionalGrowth #TakeTheLead #WorkplaceTips #CareerAdvice #LinkedInCommunity #personaldevelopment #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #rudyhacks

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in my career is this: No one will advocate for you the way you can advocate for yourself. When I first entered the professional world, I thought my work would speak for itself. I believed that if I put my head down, worked hard, and delivered great results, recognition and opportunities would naturally follow. But here’s what I discovered: While hard work is essential, visibility is just as important. It took observing how others approached their careers to realize this: The people who often get ahead aren’t just hardworking — they’re intentional about making their contributions known. They speak up in meetings, share their goals openly, and make sure their achievements don’t go unnoticed. That realization changed the way I approached my career. I began to see the importance of not just doing the work, but owning my voice and advocating for myself. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way about self-advocacy: 1. Track your accomplishments. I started keeping a journal where I noted key projects, results, and positive feedback. When performance reviews came around, I didn’t have to scramble to prove my value. I had it documented. 2. Ask for what you need. Whether it’s a promotion, mentorship, resources, or even a clearer direction, I learned to be upfront about my goals. 3. Speak up. This was the hardest for me. I used to hold back, worried my ideas weren’t “good enough.” But I realized that staying silent wasn’t helping anyone, not me, not my team, and not the organization. Advocating for yourself isn’t about arrogance or entitlement, it’s about honoring your value. It’s about recognizing that your hard work, skills, and ideas are worth being seen, heard, and rewarded. If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: Don’t wait for someone else to notice your potential. Take the first step. Speak up. Celebrate your wins. Ask for what you need. Your career is yours to build, and no one else will fight for it as fiercely as you can. #StephSynergy

In the corporate world, people tell you to: - Work hard - Be patient - Deliver more value - Eventually, you’ll get noticed I tried it, and all I got was frustration. I was overlooked for executive roles because I didn’t realize this sooner: Hard work isn’t enough if no one knows about it. Once I learned to self promote, I went from overlooked to VP in 7 years. Now I teach all of my clients: → Always be selling yourself (ABS) Selling yourself doesn't have to be big or loud. One simple way to do it: Start every one-on-one with a win Most of us start our one-on-ones with problems and challenges. If we are lucky we get 10 seconds at the end to bring up a win. Flip the script. Start every one-on-one with your manager with a goal you achieved or win you are celebrating. Two reasons: 1) It sets the tone of the conversation. When you start with the positive it becomes more positive. 2) It trains you to talk about your success I know a lot of high achievers have a strong resistance to self-advocacy. You need to push through that resistance and create the habit of selling yourself. Because after a while, it will become second nature and 10x your career growth.

A small but mighty reminder for all my Historically Excluded friends at work: Manage your Manager! When I started working about 20 years ago, I honestly didn't even know what I was doing, and I just followed the one rule I was taught at home: Be thankful, never ask for anything, and let your work speak for itself. Many years later, I'm here to tell you that piece of advice actually hurt my career. I know, it's not fair. Inclusive and Equitable Leaders should be able to identify growth opportunities for everyone on their teams, especially those who don't know how to advocate for themselves. But we all know that's still a work in progress, and many Leaders (including HR!) are still struggling with the idea of Equity. If you're kinda like me and you don't know where to start, here are a few things you can start doing literally today: 🟣 Join your company's ERG. Take advantage of their programming and support systems. 🟣 Don't assume that your Manager knows what you're actually doing. Prepare a bit of a recap & expectations "report" for every 1:1 meeting you have with them. 🟣 Voice your goals! You're hoping for a promotion, a salary raise, or a project change? Tell your Manager! They can't read your mind. 🟣 Document everything! The good, the bad, the ugly, and the extremely boring. You'll need those details to support your promotion cases! And, sadly, your "this might be discrimination" cases, too. This is just a tiny sample of some of the extra steps we might need to take at work, especially when we feel underappreciated and undervalued. If you have any other suggestions or ideas, let's talk about them in the comments so more peeps can access what we've learned 👋🏻 💌 Would you like me to bring this conversation to your organization? Or maybe learn more about my Speaking, Training, Mentoring, Consulting, and Micro-Consulting services? DM me!