Have you ever looked at someone at work and wondered how they always seem to get noticed for the right reasons? They get offered new opportunities, their manager trusts them with important tasks, and they seem to know exactly how to navigate the workplace.
Meanwhile, you might be working hard, doing everything you're asked to do and still wondering why nobody seems to notice your potential.
If that sounds familiar, I want you to know something: being good at your job is important, but how you communicate, approach your work and show your willingness to learn can also make a difference.
Whether you're starting a new job, returning to work after having children, changing careers or hoping to secure a promotion, there are practical things you can do to build your professional reputation and create more opportunities for yourself.
And no, you don't need to be the loudest person in the room to do it.
1. Stop waiting for someone to notice your potential
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in your career is assuming your hard work will automatically speak for itself.
Of course, doing your job well matters. But your manager might not always know that you're interested in taking on more responsibility, learning new skills or progressing into a different role.
If career progression is important to you, make your intentions known.
You don't need to march into your manager's office demanding a promotion. Start with a simple conversation about your goals and what you can do to work towards them.
You could say:
"I'm really enjoying developing my skills in this role, and I'd love to understand what opportunities there might be for me to progress in the future. What would you recommend I focus on?"
This shows initiative without creating unrealistic expectations.
Career tip: You don't have to wait until your performance review to discuss your professional development. Make career conversations an ongoing part of your working life.
2. Ask for feedback, even when it's uncomfortable
Feedback can feel intimidating, particularly if you've struggled with confidence in the past or you're worried about making mistakes.
But constructive feedback can be one of your most useful tools for professional growth.
Instead of waiting for your manager to tell you what you're doing well or what needs improvement, ask for their perspective.
Try questions such as:
What do you think I'm doing well in my role?
Is there anything I could improve?
What skills would help me become more effective?
What would you like to see me work towards over the next few months?
The important part is what you do with the answers.
You don't have to agree with every piece of feedback without question. However, being willing to listen, reflect and make improvements demonstrates that you're invested in doing your job well.
Remember, feedback isn't necessarily a sign that you're failing. Sometimes it's an opportunity to learn something that helps you move forward.
3. Communicate clearly with your manager and colleagues
Your technical skills might help you get a job, but communication plays a significant role in how you work with others.
Good workplace communication doesn't mean talking constantly or pretending to be someone you're not. It means sharing information, asking questions when you need clarification, keeping people informed and treating colleagues respectfully.
For example, if you're working on a task and realise you won't meet the deadline, communicate that as early as possible rather than waiting until the last minute.
If you're unsure about instructions, ask for clarification rather than spending hours guessing what your manager wants.
And when someone gives you an important task, make sure you understand the expected outcome and timeframe.
These small habits can help build trust over time.
If you're naturally quiet or struggle with workplace confidence, don't feel that you need to become an entirely different person. Focus on developing communication strategies that work for you.
You can be quiet, thoughtful and introverted while still being a valuable and respected team member.
4. Be a team player without losing yourself
Workplace friendships can make a job more enjoyable. Having colleagues you get along with is lovely, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to feel connected to the people you work with.
However, it's worth remembering that your workplace relationships and your professional responsibilities are not always the same thing.
Being a good team member means respecting other people's time, following through on commitments, sharing information and contributing to a positive working environment.
It also means understanding that not everyone will have the same personality, priorities or ambitions as you.
Some colleagues may be keen to progress into leadership roles. Others might be perfectly happy in their current position and value stability over promotion.
Neither approach automatically makes someone better than the other.
The goal isn't to compete with every person around you. It's to understand your own goals, do your job well and work respectfully with the people around you.
You can be friendly without getting caught up in workplace gossip, unnecessary drama or pressure to fit in with everyone.
5. Take initiative, but understand your role
There's a difference between waiting to be told every little thing and looking for appropriate ways to contribute.
Taking initiative could mean identifying a problem, suggesting an improvement, volunteering for a suitable project or finding a more efficient way to complete a task.
You don't need to overhaul an entire department to demonstrate that you're engaged.
Sometimes, it's as simple as noticing something that isn't working particularly well and asking whether there's a better way to approach it.
However, initiative doesn't mean ignoring your responsibilities or taking on so much extra work that you become overwhelmed.
Be realistic about your workload, understand your authority and communicate with your manager before making significant changes.
The aim is to demonstrate that you're thinking about the bigger picture, not just completing a checklist of tasks.
6. Don't be afraid to ask questions and keep learning
Nobody knows everything when they start a new job.
Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time, moving into a different industry or returning after several years away, there will probably be things you need to learn.
That's completely normal.
Instead of pretending you understand everything, ask sensible questions and take opportunities to develop your skills.
Pay attention to how experienced colleagues approach their work. Learn about the organisation, its customers, its priorities and how your role contributes to its overall goals.
If you notice a skill gap, look for ways to address it. That might involve workplace training, a short course, asking a colleague for guidance or practising a new skill.
Employers don't necessarily expect you to arrive knowing everything. They do, however, need to understand what you can do, where you need support and how you're approaching your development.
Curiosity and a willingness to learn can help you adapt as your role changes.
7. Remember that you don't have to prove your worth by doing everything
Let's talk about something particularly important for mums and people juggling responsibilities outside work.
When you're trying to establish yourself in a job, it can be tempting to say yes to everything. You might volunteer for extra tasks, stay back whenever possible or feel guilty about leaving on time.
You might worry that having children, caring responsibilities or commitments outside work means you have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.
But building a successful career shouldn't require you to sacrifice every other part of your life.
Being reliable, meeting expectations and communicating well are important. So is understanding your capacity and maintaining reasonable boundaries.
You can be ambitious and still need flexibility.
You can be committed to your career and still need to collect your children from school.
You can want a promotion without making your job your entire identity.
Focus on doing your role well, communicating honestly and taking opportunities that align with your goals. You don't need to exhaust yourself trying to prove that you're worthy of being there.
8. Your career starts with knowing what you want
Before you can work towards career progression, it helps to understand what success actually looks like to you.
Is it earning a higher salary? Moving into management? Finding a job with more flexibility? Returning to work after raising children? Finally getting your foot in the door of an industry you've always wanted to explore?
Your goals will influence the decisions you make.
You might not want a leadership position, and that's okay. Perhaps your priority is finding stable employment with supportive colleagues and hours that work for your family.
Or maybe you're ready for a challenge and want to work towards a promotion over the next year.
Neither goal is less valid.
Once you know what you're working towards, you can have more purposeful conversations with your manager, identify relevant training and make decisions about which opportunities are worth pursuing.
You don't have to have your entire career mapped out. Start by identifying one realistic goal and the next step you can take towards it.
What if you're still trying to get your foot in the door?
All of this advice is helpful once you're employed, but what if you're still looking for work?
If you're applying for jobs and struggling to get interviews, it can be difficult to demonstrate your potential to an employer who hasn't met you yet.
That's where your resume and cover letter come in.
Your application needs to communicate more than a list of previous responsibilities. It should help an employer understand what you bring to the role, the skills you've developed and why you're a suitable candidate.
If you've had a career break, changed industries or haven't worked for a while, you may have more transferable skills than you realise.
Parenting, volunteering, studying and managing responsibilities can help you develop useful skills, although it's important to present these honestly and connect them to the requirements of the job.
You don't need to apologise for your career history. You need to present your experience in a way that helps employers understand your value.
And once you secure that interview, you can start thinking about how you want to approach your new workplace, build relationships and work towards your goals.
Final thoughts: You don't have to be the loudest to stand out
Building a successful career isn't about being the most popular person in the office, agreeing with everything your manager says or constantly proving that you're the hardest worker.
It's about understanding what you want, communicating effectively, being willing to learn, contributing to your team and taking responsibility for your professional development.
You won't get everything right straight away. Nobody does.
There will be days when you question yourself, opportunities you miss and feedback that takes time to process. None of that means you're incapable of building a career you're proud of.
You are allowed to be a work in progress.
If you're returning to work after having children, rebuilding your confidence after redundancy or starting over in a completely new industry, remember that your past doesn't have to determine your future.
You can start where you are, work with the skills you have and keep building from there.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
At Karen's Job Services, I help jobseekers create professional resumes and cover letters that showcase their skills, highlight their strengths and help them stand out in a competitive job market.
Whether you're applying for your first job, returning to work after a career break or looking for a fresh start, let's make sure your application gives you the best possible chance to get noticed.
Visit Karen's Job Services to explore my resume and cover letter packages, or get in touch today to take the first step towards your next opportunity.
Your next chapter could be closer than you think.