Tips to Become Invaluable at Work

The Promotion Secret Most Professionals Discover Too Late   In over two decades of executive recruitment, I've observed a pattern among professionals who consistently advance in their careers versus those who stagnate despite equal talent and effort.   The difference? Strategic documentation of achievements, what I call a professional "brag book."   This isn't about boasting. It's about recognizing the reality of corporate decision-making: in quarterly review cycles and fast-paced environments, even exceptional work becomes invisible without proper documentation.   Your comprehensive brag book should include:   1️⃣ Achievement Portfolio: Concrete evidence of promotions, awards, successful projects, and initiatives that demonstrate your ability to deliver results   2️⃣ Quantifiable Impact: Specific metrics that translate your efforts into business value; revenue generated, costs reduced, efficiency improved, or risks mitigated   3️⃣ External Validation: Preserved testimonials from clients, acknowledgments from leadership, and formal recognition that provides third-party credibility   4️⃣ Leadership Moments: Documented instances where you identified problems independently and implemented solutions beyond your job description   The professionals I place in competitive positions understand a fundamental truth about organizational dynamics: visibility strategically created through documented evidence consistently outweighs undocumented effort, regardless of quality.   Update your brag book quarterly and bring it with you to performance discussions. Make it impossible for decision-makers to overlook your value when advancement opportunities arise.   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #careeradvancement #workplacesurvival #selfadvocacy #careerstrategist

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

You didn’t fall behind. You just became invisible in a room you helped build. That’s not failure. That’s a signal. You don’t need a new job. You need your power back. Top performers don’t leave because they stop feeling motivated. They leave because they stop feeling impactful. I see it all the time. Talented leaders slowly disconnect not because the work changed, but because they became invisible in their own story. 53% of high performers say their work goes unnoticed by decision-makers. That invisibility? It’s not your fault. But it is your cue to lead differently. Here’s how to re-energize your visibility and impact ↳ without switching jobs: 1/ Make One Bold Move ↳ Say no to what doesn’t grow you. ↳ Volunteer for that stretch assignment. ↳ Your value is in your choices. 2/ Start a “Silent Impact portfolio” ↳ Track your behind-the-scenes wins. ↳ Log the fires you put out. ↳ This is your secret influence portfolio. 3/ Gather Impact Intelligence ↳ Ask two trusted peers, “Where do you see my unique value?” ↳ Their answers reveal your blind spots. ↳ Use them to amplify where you shine. 4/ Own Your Leadership Moments ↳ Identify one crisis you quietly navigated. ↳ Name the leadership skill you used. ↳ Visibility isn’t bragging, it’s owning your impact. 5/ Create a Strategy Hour ↳ Block 60 minutes weekly for strategic thinking. ↳ No distractions. No guilt. ↳ Your calendar should reflect your worth. Feeling undervalued isn’t a cue to leave. It’s a call to lead differently. You don’t need a new job to reclaim your power. But you do need to see, and showcase, your own worth. If you’ve ever felt invisible in a room you helped build: This is your signal to rise. Remember: Do the same for someone else. 🔖Tag a leader who elevates others. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for career insights without the fluff Source: Workhuman, Human workplace index: the price of invisibility, 2024

Some of the worst advice out there... not only can you smell it a mile away, but it actually sets you back more than in propels you forward. “Fake It Till You Make It." The mentality might seem harmless... or even empowering. but here’s the truth: it’s a strategy that holds you back in the long run. When we rely on posturing or “faking it,” we create temporary value... a shaky foundation that breeds uncertainty and self-doubt over time. This approach can chip away at genuine confidence, leaving you second-guessing your abilities rather than embracing your true strengths. If you’re “kind of” believing in what you can do, it will lead to “kind of” results. And let’s be honest: no one invests in that. Here’s a path that builds lasting impact and real credibility: 1. Embrace Where You Are Right Now. Actionable Step: List out the top 3 strengths you bring to the table today. Focus on where you already add value. Use this clarity as your guide when you’re in new or challenging situations. This way, you’re building on a solid, authentic foundation... not pretending to be somewhere you’re not. Starting with a clear view of your strengths gives you a confidence rooted in reality... and equips you to approach each opportunity with authenticity. 2. Get Clear on Your Unique Value. Actionable Step: Identify one specific problem you can solve that aligns with your skills and expertise. Write it down in one sentence (e.g., “I help teams bridge strategy and execution gaps to drive measurable results.”). Use this as a go-to when you’re speaking with potential clients or partners. This clarity around your value will set you apart, making it easier for others to see why they should work with you... not just anyone who fits the role. 3. Bridge Your Gaps Authentically. Actionable Step: Acknowledge a skill or area you’re actively developing. Take one concrete action toward growth each week... whether that’s: - reading - building relationships - mentoring Share this journey with trusted colleagues or clients... without underselling yourself... so they experience your commitment to excellence and your drive to evolve. Owning both your strengths and areas for growth builds long-term credibility and shows others that you’re committed to being the best version of yourself. It’s how true leaders inspire and foster trust. And trust accelerates EVERYTHING.

I recently got asked about career advice I wish I had received when I was starting out. Here are 8 pieces of advice I know at 32 I wish I knew at 22: 1. Build a reputation for reliability. Reliability is one of the most important traits in your career. You can get pretty damn far by just being someone that people can count on to show up and do the work. Being reliable is entirely free and doesn't require any talent or luck. 2. Be the person who just figures it out. Early on, you'll be given a lot of tasks you have no idea how to complete. There's nothing more valuable than someone who can just figure it out. Do some work, ask the key questions, get it done. People will fight over you. 3. Swallow the Frog for your boss. This is one of the greatest "hacks" to get ahead early in your career. Observe your boss, figure out what they hate doing, learn to do it, and take it off their plate. Easy win. 4. Build storytelling skills. World-changing CEOs aren't the smartest or most talented in their organizations. They are exceptional at: (1) Aggregating data and (2) Communicating it simply & effectively. Data in, story out. Build that skill and you'll always be valuable. 5. Work hard first (and smart later). It's in vogue to say that working smart is all that matters. Wrong. If you want to accomplish anything significant, you have to work hard. Build a reputation for hard work—take pride in it. Then you can start to build leverage to work smart. 6. Do the "old fashioned" things well. There are simple things that still stand out. Look people in the eye, do what you say you'll do, be early, practice good posture, have a confident handshake. It sounds silly, but these things are all free and will never go out of style. 7. Show up early, stay late. Showing up early and staying late is a free way to materially increase your luck surface area. The most interesting side conversations come up before meetings start or after they end. When you're in the room, you're more likely to get pulled into a follow-up call, coffee, or discussion. Being in the room pays off handsomely in the long run. 8. Dive through cracked doors. I recently had an experience that brings this advice to life: These two young guys were trying to work with me on a project but my schedule was tough for a call. They said they had to be in NY for a meeting the next day and offered to meet in person. I said ok. We met, hit it off, and are working together. They later told me they didn’t need to be in NY at all and booked flights after I said yes. I'd always bet on people with that kind of energy. If someone cracks open a door that may present an opportunity, dive through it. Embrace those 8 pieces of advice and you'll stand out and be on the right track. If you enjoyed this or learned something, follow me Sahil Bloom for more in the future!

I went from making little progress in the first 7 years of my career to becoming a VP in 5 years. Here's everything I learned about growing my career I wish I knew sooner: 1 - No one owes you anything If you want something, go and get it. Don't hold your breath waiting for favors. 2 - Hard work is not enough The # of hours you work doesn't correlate with impact. You can work long hours and barely move the needle. Impact > hours For every task on your to-do list ask: • Will it impact my main KPIs? • If skipped, would it matter? • What is the alternative cost? Don't count hours, count results. 3 - The more value you add, the more valuable you become Value triumphs MBA/Titles/Fancy resume How can you add value? • Increase revenue • Reduce costs • Efficiency Tie your work to any of these 3 and you'll become invaluable. 4 - Showing is better than telling Talk is cheap. Anyone can do it. If you want to earn an opportunity prove you can do it. • Identify a gap • Take initiative • Solve a problem Do the work before you ask for the reward to earn it. 5 - You're not supposed to be a superhero You are not supposed to have it all figured out. You are not supposed to do it all on your own. That's why we have: • Team members • Colleagues • Mentors So we can delegate, collaborate and ask for help. Even Wonderwomen has the Justice League. Iron Man has the Avengers. They're better together. 6 - When you believe in yourself, others believe in you It's counterintuitive, but that's how it works. If you doubt yourself - people will doubt you. If you have no idea what you are doing, but you believe you can figure it out, they'll follow you blindly. Trust yourself. 7 years with little progress Then IC to VP in 5 years. That's what happens when you learn which levers to pull. 💪 Repost ♻️ to help someone grow their career faster

5 indispensable steps I've learned to manage up. Career growth isn't just a possibility. It's a constant. It's not just about working hard. It's about working smart. Managing up. Managers are busy. They often need help. But are too busy to ask. So ask them. Enter the ✨magic loop ✨ Five reliable steps to growth: 1️⃣ Do your current job well: -Before you ask how you can help be sure you are crushing it in what you do. 2️⃣ Ask how you can help your manager: -Raise your hand or volunteer. -It's not about being a "yes-person". It's about being indispensable. -As a manager, we notice who steps up. 3️⃣ Do what you're asked: -You may not love how they need help, but whatever it is, do it well. -Don't just meet the bar, raise it. 4️⃣ Ask how you can help in alignment with your career goals: -After you show you can do a great job with requests, you're in a great position. -Raise it a notch. If your goal is simple, ask directly. "Is there a way I can help you while working with [goal or skill] so I can improve?" You've been helping them, they will be willing to help you. 5️⃣ Repeat steps 1-4. It's not about making your manager's life easier (though it does). It's about making yourself an asset. And in the process, carving a path for your own advancement. Add a little managing up to the mix: → Support your manager → Be proactive → Be the team's barometer → Empathize Ready to rise? Manage up and move up. P.S. How have you successfully managed up? Would love to hear below👇 ------------------------------------- 🔔 Follow: Mollie Cox ♻ Repost to help others 💾 Save it for future use

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

If you want a promotion within the next six months—waiting around won’t get you there. It took me many years to learn this lesson. ➡️  80% of promotions go to those who are proactive, not just the hardest workers.  ⬅️ There are two types of HR professionals: those who wait for recognition and those who create opportunities. If you’re in the first group, you might be working tirelessly but still find yourself overlooked when promotions come around. 𝗪𝗵𝘆? Because promotions are not just about doing your job well—they’re about being seen doing it. Here’s what you can do to move into the second group and secure that promotion within the next six months: 1️⃣  𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀: Volunteer for projects that get you in front of leaders. This shows you’re ready to take on more responsibility. 2️⃣  𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: Build relationships across departments. The more people know about your work, the better your chances of being considered for advancement. 3️⃣  𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Document your successes and share them in meetings. If you don’t highlight your contributions, who will? 4️⃣   𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆: Take advantage of any learning opportunities. Whether it’s mastering a new tool or attending a workshop, continuous improvement makes you more valuable. 5️⃣  𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Don’t wait for annual reviews. Ask your manager for feedback often, then act on it. It shows you’re committed to growth. 6️⃣   𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: Helping others succeed enhances your leadership skills and shows you’re a team player. 7️⃣   𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: Let your manager know you’re interested in moving up. Don’t assume they’ll notice—make it clear. Remember, staying silent or waiting patiently won’t get you where you want to be. Take action, and you’ll see the results. ♻️ Share this post if you believe in creating your own opportunities. #Adamshr #Hrprofessionals #humanresources #HR Stephanie Adams, SPHR

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