Being top of the mind, especially in a corporate setting, might be challenging to achieve, especially if one lacks proof of experience to back it up or is just a silent achiever on the side.
A Poor Strategy for Getting Ahead
Jessica Chen, the CEO of SoulCast, a communication-training agency, realized this after being raised in a 'quiet culture.' She was taught to thrive silently without causing any trouble.
In her recently published book "Smart, Not Loud," the CEO contemplates that knowing when and how to speak up for herself in the workplace has damaged her career. After gaining a few years of experience, she realized that silently completing tasks is a poor strategy for advancing her career.
In her writing, she emphasizes that what truly mattered was her capability to showcase herself and that effective communication and visibility were necessary and rewarded.
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Reason Why You Should Create a 'Yay Folder'
Chen outlines strategies in her book for celebrating wins and using them to secure promotions without needing to be loud or brash. She recommends creating a "Yay Folder."
Learning to advocate for yourself is crucial for achieving career success. A recent study revealed that 22% of individuals refrained from asking for a raise simply because they could not communicate their desires.
Chen explains that a "Yay Folder" is a place where you can keep emails containing notes of praise. It serves as a ready resource for showcasing one's accomplishments and is invaluable for finding examples to boost one's confidence at work.
According to the Global Assistant, celebrating small wins is essential for acknowledging significant milestones in your progress or accomplishments. People often overlook or dismiss them as routine occurrences. Recognizing and celebrating these successes affirms your progress and sets a precedent for others to take notice and acknowledge your achievements.
A Running List of Accomplishments
In a CNBC article, Stefanie Fackrell, an HR consultant with experience recruiting at companies such as Google and Nvidia, advises maintaining "a running list of accomplishments" to ensure you always remember your contributions to your team.
Fackrell added that the key is to utilize the success metrics in your job to maintain an updated list of evidence showing that you can achieve and surpass your goals.
Keeping a 'Yay Folder' also helps you keep track of all your accomplishments whenever needed. According to BetterUp, creating a strong CV should be concise, well-structured, and customized to the specific position you are applying for to efficiently demonstrate to recruiters why you are the ideal candidate for the job. More importantly, it should go beyond simply listing past job descriptions to emphasize your accomplishments and successes to help recruiters understand the value you can bring to their organization based on your track record.
