SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You on Their Radar?

Monday, March 28, 2011

Margaret Batting, Image Consultant and Personal Brand Strategist

Last week I wrote about the importance of gaining support from your boss and other key industry players to help you get promoted. One of the tips I mentioned was clarifying your target audience by identifying who can get you promoted within your organization or outside your company. It’s critical to understand what they are looking for when selecting candidates and how to capture their attention.

Following are tips to help get you on their radar:

1. Keep up to date on industry news and developments. Try BNET.com or set up Google alerts. When the opportunity presents itself, share information or an idea that can open up a new approach to an old problem.

2. Be well prepared for meetings. Anticipate potential issues that could derail your presentation or project and be ready with examples, key data or alternative ideas. Being open-minded, adaptable and resourceful are attractive skills.

3. Identify growth opportunities outside of your department. Figure out how to work on projects that provide exposure to other areas of your organization. Cross-functional experience is a plus and helps you gain visibility with the people who may be able to help advance your career.

4. If possible, write articles relevant to your field and post them on your company’s intranet site or on industry blogs. The goal is to get known as a “go to” resource in your company and eventually in your industry.

5. If you are trying to gain visibility outside of your organization, research your industry’s professional organizations and groups. Identify the movers and shakers and what events they attend. Make an effort to attend these events and introduce yourself. Get their card and follow up through Linkedin.com Develop your network and follow industry leaders on Twitter.com

6. If networking events aren’t your thing or you can’t seem to connect with the people you want, then ask some of these potential champions to lunch. They could be people from inside your organizations too. This is a great way to get to know them better as well as share your career plans. If you are asking them to lunch, make sure you pay for the lunch as a “thank you”.

Remember, it takes time and effort to move your career forward. And no matter what you choose to do, make sure your image reflects a polished and poised professional who is prepared for success.

Next week I’ll share tips on how to improve your online presence.

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder and serves as the style advisor liaison for Dress for Success Rhode Island, which will hold a fashion show fundraiser at the Biltmore on April 28. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.