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Self Promotion Game Plan
By Sylvia Rosen, Guest Blogger
I graduated college and entered the job market in May 2010, a time when the economy was at one of its lowest points. I should also mention that I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in journalism, the number one industry that was closing its doors to new employees. I often tried to stay positive and tell myself that my resume would be enough to get my foot in the door; however, I was also realistic and knew the job market was a battlefield. Luckily, BuyerZone hired me as an intern web content writer. My hard work and dedication to each assigned task gave me a name and place in the office, but my enthusiastic personality made me a likeable employee. As a result, after five months of interning, BuyerZone decided to hire me full-time. My story is a success story - but it did not come easily. I had to consistently prove my worth and even needed to go above and beyond my assigned tasks to make the company decide to keep me. Self promotion was my game plan. The following are three ways I made sure my efforts weren't being overlooked: Constantly be Brainstorming New and original ideas are hard to think up in any business profession. Often, everything you think of has already been done. However, what if you do think of a new business proposal? This would not only impress your manager, but if it's successful, prove your worth at the company. For example, I was given a challenge when I had to brainstorm new and creative article ideas for office equipments including phone systems, printers and fax machines. My initial reaction was, "How do I make these products fun to read about?" And then it hit me: relate it to the holidays, a subject everyone is already absorbed in. This not only showed my ability to think about what is newsworthy, but also what makes an entertaining read. Constantly brainstorming is a great way to show you do care about your work and have a passion for it. An idea that seems obvious might be an idea no one else has touched on. Build a Good Relationship with your Manager Your manager is automatically your "go to" for any business-related questions. However, he or she should also be the first person you try to build an actual friendship with. This is important so you feel more comfortable asking questions, and for them to get an idea of how you work. In addition, when you build a good relationship with your manager, you are simultaneously creating your own office cheerleader; they are more likely to want to promote you around the office if they know and like you. I strictly came from a newspaper journalism background. I didn't know any SEO tactics or what a keyword could do to promote a story. However, after asking my manager numerous questions, I started learning and understanding the difference between online writing and newspaper writing. Reading SEO blogs like SEOmoz and other sites eventually gave me the skills to transform from a writer to a web content writer. Had I not felt comfortable asking questions, I would still be struggling. Go Above and Beyond your Job Description Your coworkers might not always need help, but if they do, it's a good idea to offer your services. Helping another department is a great way to get introduced to a new group of people and a new side of the company. Most importantly, there is a good chance the department you helped will give you a shout out at the next meeting or send an email around the office; that type of recognition is bound to get to the CEO. BuyerZone employees are dedicated to their work and even more dedicated to helping each other. When the new BuyerZone 2.0 launch was creeping closer, the majority of the staff stayed late to make sure the deadline would be met. Each individual was recognized and rewarded with an ice cream social or personal thank you from the CEO. It's nice to get recognized for doing your job well, but it's even better to get recognized for doing something that is beyond your job description. In a job market like today, it's crucial to put in a 100% effort in everything you do. You may not always feel like you are appreciated for your efforts, but there are ways to ensure you are. Building relationships, exceeding in your job and helping others are just three ways that will earn you "employee of the month." About the Author Sylvia Rosen Web Content Writer and Journalist  Sylvia Rosen is a content writer for BuyerZone.com, a small business resource website in Waltham, MA. She uses her journalism background to write blog reviews and connect with industry professionals to create articles on the latest industry trends. She enjoys writing for BuyerZone and getting the chance to interview a variety of professionals in the top business industries. blog comments powered by Disqus |