Reputation management at work

[Greenbanana7]

Hi, I have been recently unsuccessful in two job applications at work which has dented my confidence significantly as I have always been successful in gaining positions. I have sought feedback and one key point (from HR using the management information) was around reputation management in that that I quietly get on with my work competently and need to promote myself and my achievements more as others do (including the person who was successful in the roles I went for). How do I do this? Does anyone have any experience or tips to help? Thanks

Nothing advice but I could have written your post haven't not got a couple of jobs at work in favour of less competent / hardworking people who are better at blowing own trumpet - only for them to fall flat on their faces in the new roles.

Being quietly competent doesn't get you the job so would be interesting to see others' ideas on this.

I think they are being arseholes not to give you a chance when they know you get on with the job. I recently left a workplace after feeling really under valued and I am trying something else.

Can I just say that I didn't fail to get the role because of my inability to write in English! 😊

The people who tend to blow their own trumpet, invariably, have one trait in common .... their gender.

👏👏

I have worked in IT for years, and this has always been a thing. My personal rules (3 is absolutely crazy, but just trust me, exists for a reason)

1. If your boss doesn’t know you did x, it didn’t happen.
2. If someone e.g. customer or business customer expresses positive sentiment about something you did, pass that up, or ask them to email you/boss for use in year end assessment. For example, Im asked how my day/week is going, and I reply “super week, delivered x and Sandra in y dept said it’s saved them so much time/money/nps”
3. Always carry a notepad/laptop and walk with purpose. (Otherwise people think you are not working/meandering etc)
4. if your work has a recognition system, ask people to use it. So when someone says they are happy with the thing I delivered, I ask them to send recognition so I can add it to my year end etc.
5. yeah, channel your inner Nigel, you know he would be telling everyone his mediocre achievements

You have to be visible, achieving, hungry, acting with integrity. Ask yourself, if there were redundancies or promotions, which list would you be on? And why? Then do what you need to get on that list

God I could not be arsed with that! Probably why I never got where I was more than capable of being because I've never been nor will I be an arselicker!

WTF ever happened to merit??

Oh, I get there on merit, and I’m not an arselicker, thanks. But if you quietly work in a corner and no one knows what you achieve, why would they understand or promote you?

@allmyliesaretrue - I think this is uncalled for. @KarmaKarmaKarm does not outline anything that could be described as “arselicking”. She simply makes sure that those who are in a position to promote her and may have a say in salary etc, know that she is working hard and when she does a good job. And that further suggests that it is on merit - people wouldn’t be willing to praise her to her manager if she wasn’t doing a good job.

OP, I think it’s rubbish that getting your head down and doing a good job isn’t enough. But given you are asking for ways to be more visible in your already good work, I think @KarmaKarmaKarm’s suggestions are good ones.

I couldn’t be arsed doing this to impress people. The last time I heard of anyone acting like this was when they worked in Cyber Security in the USA. “Walk with purpose” fuck that. You’re probably the person who runs and rats on their co workers for spending more time than 5 minutes in the toilet.

This excellent book has a whole chapter on how to self promote

“How Women Rise” Sally Hegleson and Marshall Goldsmith

It looks at the habits common in women that hold us back from progressing in our careers

In my organisation, it's the self-promoting mostly incompetent arseholes who get promoted and I have never aspired to be one of them. I've done ok for myself but if I had had less integrity and played the game, I'd probably have been promoted more than I have.

If you "quietly work in a corner" and you meet all your targets etc (your manager should be fully au fait with what you are achieving" and respect that.

I'm old now and I don't care any more, and I no longer want to knock my pan in for an extra £200/£300 a month!!

Same here! It just sounds a bit desperate tbh!

I didn't make any comment on @KarmaKarmaKarm ! I never said she was "arselicking" because I don't know her, though all that desperate self-promotion comes across like arselicking to me!! I don't know her or how she operates. I am just speaking from nearly 40 years in the workplace. I've worked in the private sector in London for what was then a Big Five company, to the BBC, and over 30 years now in the public sector.

I am still disgusted that people don't get promoted because they're amazing at what they do, but because they blow their trumpet yet are mediocre!

I recall from my London days, a stunning young woman was recruited as a trainee management consultant. In her interview notes, one partner recorded, "she looks like a Vogue model". She was a shite management consultant but because she was so attractive, instead of 'managing her out' like they did other shite management consultants, they put her in marketing instead...

Thanks, Ordered 👍

Thanks great suggestions @KarmaKarmaKarm, appreciate you taking the time.
So today I asked someone I respect to critique my current CV. I have enquired about work's mentor scheme and signed up for a career development course. Baby steps...

You’d be better off changing employers - that’s the surest way to bump pay and title. I appreciate the market isn’t fantastic at the moment but generally speaking that would be the way to go.

Definitely, I am now looking but might as well milk my current employer for any development and growth opportunities I can get...

If PPs want to just get on working quietly and competently in a corner at one level and have nobody outside their immediate colleagues know who they are and what they do, that's OK. OP asked for ways to get promoted, recognised and into new roles in her organisation.

OP - excellent advice from @KarmaKarmaKarm I would add:

• every time a client, senior manager or external person compliments you or is pleased with your work, make sure your line manager knows.
• if you get some praise for your team's projects share it on the internal work team channels (not you personally, as that would be vulgar, but your team)
• praise other people - it's a virtuous circle
• volunteer for task forces and wider projects - within reason - don't end up doing the gruntwork or on a grievance committee (which sadly many women's and gender networks end up being). Do thinkg
• go to internal events and ask questions
• go to external events and conferences - meet people, ask questions, get on panels
• think of pretexts to ask influential people in the organisation for a coffee - not arselicking but if you have a project or query. You'll get a lot of nos but you never know. Some senior management roles are lonely and they like getting feedback and interaction from the wider business.
• Keep applying for the right internal roles - you get visibility with management

This is not arselicking or pushy. If you want to keep your dignity and not put yourself forward, fine but it's the mediocre mouthy men that know how to manage upwards who will keep getting promotions and nothing will change. If you've always worked at the civil service, you probably have limited idea of how competitive the private sector is and promoting yourself internally isn't just essential to get a new job but to keep yours when they announce restructures.

• go to internal events and ask questions
• go to external events and conferences - meet people, ask questions, get on panels

I would add, take opportunities to give presentations. People are more likely to remember you and your work if they've seen you standing up and talking about it. Write something for the in house magazine or industry journal.

Please share your thoughts back here when you read it

I loved this book and it had a massive positive impact on my career. Was a lightbulb moment for me. I’ve recommended it since but not heard any feedback so would like to know what you think!

I promise I’m not the author! It’s hugely popular going by the number of positive reviews - don’t think they need to be posting on mumsnet 🤣