Setting yourself apart from your co-workers

Getting yourself noticed at work can be tough, especially if you’re employed at a fairly large company. It can be easy to get lost amongst the sea of co-workers surrounding you. Aside from putting out exceptional work, there are a few ways that you can help differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.

Create a professional reputation
When your name comes up at the office, you want people to immediately think “professional.” Therefore, you should represent yourself in a professional manner. Instead of handing out letters and memos on blank white paper, use personalized stationery. You can include your company’s logo at the top of this stationery along with your name and contact information. This helps brand yourself and makes you appear organized and professional – a great first impression to make at work.

Speak up
If you’re naturally an introvert, you’re not alone. But you should never be afraid to speak up when you have a good idea, a question or a meaningful comment. Chances are, someone else in the room is thinking the same thing, but doesn’t have the courage to raise their hand and speak.

Note: Put a positive spin on your suggestions and comments during meetings. You don’t want to always be associated with negative feedback. If you do have something negative to say, follow it up with a positive thought. Having this attitude will help you appear more approachable and personable in the office.

Send handwritten notes
Much of business is conducted over email, which is why sending a handwritten note can go such a long way in helping you stand out. If you worked together with someone on a project, send them a quick thank you note expressing your gratitude for their hard work. A note that will take you no more than five minutes to write can make a big impression on co-workers and clients. Always keep a stack of thank you cards in your desk for easy access when you need them.

Take action on your own
Nobody likes having to constantly remind an employee to get something done. Impress your boss by doing things without being asked. Even if it’s a simple task, like reloading the copy machine with paper or turning in an expense report early, you’re sending a message to your boss that you don’t have to be micromanaged – you know what has to get done without being reminded. Taking initiative is something that never goes unnoticed in the office.

Add a bookshelf to your cubicle
You want your desk space to give off the same professional and organized reputation that you present each day. Aside from keeping your cubicle organized, you should consider displaying a few books on a shelf or on a corner of your desk. Don’t just display any book – select business books in your field. This can show your employer that you’re always striving to improve yourself professionally (even if you haven’t cracked open the book in years). These business publications can also be a great talking point for developing a relationship with your co-workers.

Next step, promotion.