In·tro·vert (noun): A shy, reticent, and typically self-centered person.
Read More: 5 Ways To Be Indispensable At Work
This word pretty much sums up my life. It’s always interesting comparing what other people think about me versus what I think about myself. I’ve been an introvert ever since I can remember. As a child I was always told that I was quiet and polite. As a teenager and in my early adult years, I was always told that after first few interactions with me people had the wrong impression of me. These same people would then happily gush about how wrong their first judgement of me had been, and how nice and talkative I was be once they got to know me.
I knew that I had to change. Not because people were wrongly judging me, but because I wanted to start off on the best foot career-wise. I didn’t want to waste time trying to change people’s misconceptions about me, instead of focusing on advancing my career. From personal experience, here are a five ways introverts can get noticed at work:
1. Produce quality work.
When working in a large organization, quality work will be by far your biggest cheerleader. You want your name to be associated with your work ethics, work quality, work quantity, work efficiency, and work effectiveness. I can’t tell you the size of the smile on my face when I had a one-on-one meeting with the Executive Director and she said that she already new my name because of the great things that my supervisor and team lead had told her. This is the kind of reputation that us introverts need to establish to help make up for our inward tendencies.
2. Be approachable.
I had to force myself to learn to smile more often. I learned to smile while I spoke and smile while I was listening to others speak. I make time for others when they stop by my cubicle, no matter how busy I am. I go out of my way to say good morning and goodbye to those who sit around me. I do all of this so that my co-workers and managers can feel comfortable approaching me with questions, comments, or advice.
3. Present yourself well.
I cannot stress enough how important the way you present yourself is. The first impression people have of you is the way you dress, so always dress to impress. Be conservative in the beginning, until you get a feel for what the dress environment is like. I always prefer to stand out in a good way versus blending in–especially as an introvert. Try to never relax your wardrobe because you never know who’s noticing you, or who isn’t! Always look put together, organized, and clean. Less makeup, less perfume, and fewer clothing wrinkles is a must. Practice a firm handshake, a serious nod, and an approachable smile.
4. Set up one-on-one time.
Set up 30-minute one-on-one meetings with everyone! Do bi-weekly ones with your manager to discuss your work and how you can do more. Set one up with senior executives every few months (maybe quarterly) to begin building a meaningful relationship. Set one up with senior executives outside of your team, maybe in an area you’re interested in learning about. Remember that your career path is never linear and doesn’t go according to your plan. The key to success is quality work, networking, and having the right opportunity. When all those stars align, you need to be prepared and flexible to take advantage!
5. Volunteer.
Volunteer to take on extra projects. If you see an issue, bring it up to your manager and ask if you can help with a side project to find a resolution. If there are groups in the organization where you work, offer to help them plan an event. Volunteering for tasks outside of your role will give you one-on-one time with others. Take advantage of that to not only learn new skills, but to also build meaningful networks.
What are your thoughts on these guidelines for introverts to get noticed at work? Have you tried any of these? Have they worked for you? Do you have any additional advice for our readers?
Article By:
BeMoxie.org.