In order to get ahead in the workplace, you need to build your credibility and reputation.
When you do good work, it gets noticed. Word spreads within the organization and it makes other people want to work with you. But how do you build a good reputation when you’re just starting out? And how do you build credibility if you don’t necessarily have a fancy degree or certification?
Building your reputation at work is no different than developing a skill. With time and effort, you can find small but meaningful ways to demonstrate your expertise and earn the respect of your peers and higher-ups.
Below, we’ll take a look at the low key ways that you can get noticed at work and build a good reputation.
Find your niche
If you’re looking to start building your credibility and reputation, you’ll definitely want to hone in on a specific niche and become the go-to person for that subject.
You don’t need a master’s degree or years of experience to own your niche. All you need to do is follow your genuine interests and curiosities. You can also do a little self-reflection to figure out what your strengths are.
- Maybe you know the company’s HR policies inside and out.
- Maybe you’re up on all the latest apps and gadgets.
- Maybe you have a knack for spotting trends and predicting what will go viral on social.
- Maybe you have an eye for design and can spend hours picking the perfect font or color.
When you lean into your niche, you’ll start to become associated with it. People will flock to you to get your expertise on HR matters or to get your opinion on all things design. You’ll start to build a reputation for your niche and become highly sought after for it.
Offer to take on an overlooked task or project
A great way to build credibility at work is to be two steps ahead of your boss. You can do this by becoming the type of employee that offers to take on something before being asked.
Your manager has a million plates spinning at once. And they won’t always have the time to tell you explicitly “you should do x or y to make my life easier.” So instead, you have to figure out how to be useful.
For example, let’s say you’re assisting on a project and you notice that the copywriting isn’t aligning with your manager’s ask. If copywriting isn’t in your job description, but you know that your manager and the team are busy, then take this opportunity to pitch in. You can say, “I took a stab at punching up some of the copy. Do you want to take a look?”
Or maybe your organization’s social media account hasn’t been updated in months. Social media management is one of those essential tasks that’s often overlooked because people are so busy. So offer to run the account and do a great job at it.
This demonstrates to your boss that a) you are plugged in to what they are looking for and b) that you are just as invested in the work as they are.
Share your expertise on social
If you have a niche or expertise on a specific subject matter, don’t keep it to yourself. Share your expertise with others online.
Now you might be thinking: But I’m not an expert on anything! Don’t worry. It doesn't have to be a big or “important” subject matter. There are a lot of topics that may seem obvious to you, but are completely foreign to others, especially if they’re just starting out. Maybe you’re really good at making a resume standout or making small talk with your boss or managing a team. This is valuable information that people would love to learn.
So write about your niche. Or the things that come naturally to you but are challenging to others. And then, find the best medium to deliver your message. Some ideas include:
- Writing a LinkedIn post discussing what steps you took to do a career pivot.
- Sharing your writing tips on Instagram.
- Creating a blog on your website that offers graphic design tips (this is especially useful if you’re also trying to connect with new clients!).
And the great thing about sharing your work on social media? You’ll reach so many more people than if you were to keep all this information to yourself. It’s an effective way to build credibility at work as well as in your wider industry.
Offer to mentor new employees
If you’re not keen on sharing your work publicly but you still want to demonstrate your expertise, then offer to mentor new employees at work.
As we all know, people are super busy at work, and don’t always have the time to take new staff under their wing. So higher-ups will appreciate you taking the time to offer your guidance and expertise.
You should mentor even if your office doesn’t have a formal program. Take new interns out for coffee. Or have informal one-on-ones with junior staff. You can offer them valuable advice and help them understand the culture at your workplace. You’ll also develop essential soft skills like communicating and listening to other people’s needs.
Building credibility at work isn’t just about showing off your skills. It’s also about building trust and showing your commitment to others.
Offer to take the lead on a meeting
Leading your first meeting is definitely a rites of passage moment in the workplace. You’re not just there as a note-taker or participant, you’re there to represent your boss or organization.
While leading your first meeting is a big responsibility, it’s also one that you should seek out. In an ideal world, people would approach you and say, “You’re great! Please lead this meeting!”
But as we already established, everyone has their own stuff going on. So when it makes sense for you to lead a meeting, ask your boss, “Hey, I know that we have a meeting coming up with X client. I love working with them and would love to take the lead on that meeting. What do you think?”
A big part of establishing your credibility and reputation at work is putting yourself out there. Little by little, you will definitely get noticed at work.
Written by JiJi Lee
