Finally! You’ve been grinding at work, meeting all your deadlines, and even doing that little extra. Today your department head even told you they appreciate all your hard work. That compliment feels good, but you also want to leverage that praise. When promotion time comes, you want to be sure that employee recognition is at the forefront of the hiring committee’s minds. The best way to ensure you can make that happen is to politely ask for compliments in writing.
Memory is Faulty
Yes, your department head compliments you every time you have a meeting. They even single you out for praise on big projects. Unfortunately, all that employee recognition and work appreciation quickly slips their mind once you’re out of sight. After all, the human mind is not perfect. So ask for an email or note, that way you can remind yourself and others of how great you really are!
After all, who can better tell your boss how great you are than your boss themselves? Plus, if they have to write down how great you’ve been doing, then they’ll be more likely to remember you without prompting.
Portfolio Of Praise
In addition, keeping all those complements in one place allows you to catalog all your work appreciation. This means you now have: a list of references, better insight into your own strengths, and direct proof of your capability. This is a powerful tool, both for that work promotion and for your long term career. After all, academics is heavily based on knowing the right people and having them recognize your potential. With things in writing, you have a convenient stash of well written, meaningful, and specific praise.
Don’t Settle For Less Than You Deserve
Academia is a challenging and competitive space, especially for women of color. Even when you’re hitting all the marks and surpassing expectations, it can feel like no one is noticing your hard work and careful insights. Every promotion goes to people less qualified, raises never seem to come your way, and no one seems to see your unmatched capability. Employee recognition sometimes seems impossible, but it doesn’t have to be! You are capable of pushing for what you need. With the right strategies that next job offer or promotion can be yours.
Although it can be intimidating to stand up for what you know you deserve, you don’t need to do it alone. If you, like others, want support and guidance, set up an appointment with Dr. Hill. She is a skilled and experienced academic coach who can help you get the work promotion you deserve! The first consultation is free, so why not take a step towards achieving your goals?