Staying visible in an evolving world of work

Whether you’ve continued to go into work or have been based remotely for the last few months, the world of work has changed for us all and that’s posed challenges to staying visible and getting noticed. Findings from almost 2,000 accountancy and finance professionals in the Hays Market Insights report revealed that roughly two in five (39%) say that communication is the aspect of their organisation that has undergone the most change since the coronavirus outbreak and, worryingly, over a third (34%) say the amount of contact they now have with their manager is less than before lockdown was enforced. So, how do you stay visible? If you find yourself facing significant barriers to communication and struggling to stay visible, here are three things you can do right now, no matter where you’re based. Start with your manager: Although they will already likely have oversight of your tasks and responsibilities, your manager is your first port of call to getting noticed more at work. Here are some things to put in place: Make some diary changes: Set up a weekly phone call, an ongoing chat over Slack or an emailed KPI report each fortnight to create opportunities to discuss things beyond day-to-day tasks, like your achievements and career goals. Seek out feedback: Ask for regular feedback so your manager acknowledges your efforts and helps you maximise opportunities for growth. Take ownership: When you have the capacity, ask your manager if you can own projects or lead your team through a new piece of work. Showing that you’re up for a challenge will make your manager more likely to consider you first when these opportunities arise. Have a consistent and transparent schedule: Keeping a routine can be beneficial for your productivity but it also helps your manager keep track of what you’re up to at work. Remember it’s about your ability to deliver, rather than keep up appearances. Sometimes challenges to a routine can be unavoidable and even helpful too, so don’t be afraid to discuss any changes which crop up in your routine. Become a stronger presence in meetings: Opportune moments to get noticed often happen in meetings, which for many of us are held virtually at present. It can be challenging to find your voice over a disjointed video stream or patchy audio quality – especially if you’re often one of the quieter voices in the room. You can get noticed more in these situations by considering a few simple things: What value can you add? Think about insight or information you have which is pivotal to the topic of discussion. What do you want to learn? Even if your role in the meeting isn’t critical, go in with an idea of what you want to learn. Are you still on track? Even the best listeners lose concentration, so don’t be afraid to say you’ve lost track of the discussion and regroup. Expand your professional network Finally, think about how you can get yourself noticed within your wider network. This will involve deliberate and dedicated effort to connect with others, as there are fewer occasions to network physically at present. There’s no need to stop connecting with wider circles and putting yourself out there though, so here are some ideas of how to keep expanding your network virtually: Virtual coffee mornings and lunch dates – perfect for catching up with colleagues, mentors, clients and customers who you have a good relationship with. Webinars and virtual industry events – the place to learn from industry experts and connect with likeminded professionals in your field. Social media – where you can follow leaders, interact with professionals in different groups and profile your own thoughts and work. Once you dip your toe in the water you may be surprised how many virtual opportunities there are around you. If you need a helping hand If you’re struggling to get yourself noticed at work, it may be that all you need is some guidance and a helping hand. As experts in the world of work, a good recruitment consultant will be able to give you valuable, actionable career advice and perhaps open your mind to new opportunities which will allow your personality and skillset to shine. By Karen Young, director of Hays Accountancy and Finance