With companies downsizing and making tough decisions about who to keep and who to let go, what are the attributes you need to save your job? And when companies are looking at individuals for career advancement, how can you stand out as a valuable employee who is making a contribution?
Branding helps. Think about a successful product in the marketplace-say, dish detergent or a car-and consider the keywords associated with the product which lure customers: reliable, powerful, trustworthy, efficient, connected, MORE.
Do any of those keywords describe your performance at work, or your "brand"? They should. Just as a consumer wants a product that goes the extra mile, companies are looking for employees who they identify as superior. In other words, they don't want the generic brand that just sits there on the shelf; they want the real deal.
Try these tactics to help you brand yourself as a valuable player at work.
Volunteer to work on community projects sponsored by the company. We get it-nobody likes working on the weekends, or taking on extra work. But by offering to get involved with community projects or company fundraisers shows that you're not only compassionate-you're loyal too.
Develop good connections throughout the organization. Are you someone who can only name a handful of people in the office? That's a problem. Being valuable to your company means being a team player, and familiarizing yourself with the other "players" helps you establish roots. It also pays to have an inside track on openings in other departments.
Join Linked-In and connect with other businesspeople. Think of a company like Verizon, which brands itself as a service with a powerful network looking out for your best interests. Wouldn't you like to be branded the same way? Having strong business contacts shows that you know your industry, can potentially broker new relationships, and have ambition. Plus, if you should want to change jobs, having contacts makes it easier to find new work.
Be a mentor to others. Some people are threatened by new, young additions to their office, but it's worth your while to see "fresh blood" as an opportunity to pass on some of the wisdom you've gleaned over the years. Think of it as paying it forward-after all, many of us have gotten where we are today thanks to mentors who took us under their wings.
Keep your immediate supervisor informed on your projects. You may think that hiding at your desk is the safest way to stay under the radar and avoid a layoff, but it's not. Bosses aren't looking for ordinary; they want extraordinary. Establish a regular check-in with your boss-some may prefer daily updates, some weekly-so that you are branding yourself as a strong communicator.
Invest in your own professional development. With technology advancing by leaps and bounds on a daily basis, there is always something new to learn. Rather than sticking with the status quo, take the initiative to sign up for a workshop or webinar to pick up some new skills. The more experienced and savvy you make yourself, the more valuable you are to your company.
Don't be a 5:01'er. Just because you think the workday technically ends at 5 p.m. doesn't mean that you can get away with fleeing the office as soon as the clock strikes. Trust me-people notice clock watchers! There may be times when you need to stay a bit later to finish up on a project. When you do put in the extra time, you will be viewed as a valuable team player.
These behaviors can have a positive impact on your personal brand at work. The more you can show that you are making a contribution, the less likely you will be the one holding a "pink slip."
©2009 Professional Image Management
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