Why Self-Promotion is an Absolute Necessity for Every Professional (Part 1) | Advancing on the Job Series

You’ve probably heard it a million times before: If you want to get ahead in your career, you have to self-promote.

There’s no way around it. It just has to be done.

However, if you’re like the majority of the professional population, the whole concept of self-promotion can be a little mystifying. In this 4-part series, we’re answering your questions and providing simple strategies to help make self-promotion more effective and less awkward.

To start, let’s address the fundamental question undoubtedly on your mind: Why bother?

No one likes self-promotion, so what makes it so necessary? Is it all some big conspiracy to make everyone uncomfortable?

Put away the tin foil hat, my friend. There’s nothing nefarious going on. Self-promotion is indeed an essential part of career success in the modern age, and to answer your question, here are the reasons why.

Also read: How to Maximize Your Chances of Getting that Promotion | Advancing on the Job Series

It Helps You Stand Out in a Busy Environment

The modern workplace is busier than ever, so it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Just keeping your head down and doing your job isn’t enough to get noticed. It’s not that people don’t care, and it’s not that your achievements aren’t worthy of acknowledgement; it’s just that people get consumed by other things. If you want to build a name for yourself and be recognized for your contributions, you have to bring attention to your work. The best way to do that is with your words.

It Makes You More Marketable

Today’s job market is incredibly fluid. You have more mobility than ever before. Long-term loyalty between company and employee is generally considered a thing of the past. You have to be prepared, at a moment’s notice, to find your next job or seize your next opportunity.

To make that happen, people have to know who you are and they have to understand the value you offer in the workplace. Through self-promotion, you establish a reputation in your field. You become memorable, which means that people think of you when opportunities arise that fit your skill set. You’re able to move around with ease because of your marketability, giving you peace of mind even in an uncertain job market.

Also read: How to Stop Being Undervalued at Work (Part 1)

It Solidifies Your Value

Your work is valuable. Every day, you have a very real and tangible impact on your organization. Through the right kind of self-promotion, you help make that impact more concrete. By citing results and sharing facts about your accomplishments with others, you reinforce your value in indisputable ways.

At the same time, you also expand your ability to be valuable to more people. Self-promoting is not just about you; it’s about using your skills to help others. By sharing what you’ve done, how you did it and how others can do it too, you simultaneously support the team and strengthen your own position as a valuable player.

Can you survive in the workplace without self-promotion? Sure. But wouldn’t you rather thrive?

It’s rare to find such a simple activity that yields such powerful results. If you’re looking to advance in your role, earn a raise, or make any kind of career transition in the future, self-promotion is an invaluable tool. It’s never too early to get started, and it’s a practice to continue throughout your career journey.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series where we’ll tackle the number one reason people fail to self-promote: Fear! (Don’t worry; everyone feels it, but we’ll show you how to overcome it with just a few powerful mindset shifts.)

Continue to Part 2:
How to Overcome the Fear of Self-Promotion (Part 2)