Receipts matter
We’re in the thick of layoffs. Companies are ruthlessly making cuts without blinking twice. Employees are now under more scrutiny than ever, as demands have increased. You now have to prove your salary, role, and work. Gone are the days where you can slack and take it easy. It’s annual review season, and it’s more important than ever to show why you deserve a raise and to keep your job. Receipts matter. It’s time to pull together evidence of work to steady the sinking ship. Most people leave this to the very last minute as they look to gather proof of their achievements. What I’ve learned over the years is to not leave this to the last minute. This should be a continuous task that you should be doing on a regular basis. This makes the annual review process much lighter and gives you plenty of time to reflect on your performance and to collect feedback.
Hype Doc
I once worked at a company that encouraged us to have a ‘hype doc’ to list all of our achievements. I at first found the thought of a ‘hype doc’ cringe-worthy, but then grew to appreciate it when I realized the important role it played in securing a promotion or pay rise. You are your own biggest advocate in the workplace and your own loudest cheerleader. Use a hype doc to show that you are the creme de la creme. Don’t just talk about the great things you’re doing but put it in writing with proof of your deliverables and data to show impact. Your manager should read your hype doc and be able to justify to the business why they need to keep you on during a company layoff. Your hype doc should be succinct, straightforward, and data-focused so that no one can dispute your achievements. Make sure to have a folder in your inbox to collate any positive feedback in one place. At the end of each week, make sure to also document all of your achievements. It doesn’t have to be huge or outstanding. You should be able to use it to build a strong foundation for your brand.
Alien Superstar
It doesn’t matter if you helped to put together a PowerPoint, organized a team away day, or presented at a team meeting; make sure to include it in your hype doc. Don’t downplay your achievements; make sure to package what you’ve done with a glitter bow. It’s not what you say but how you say it. I’ve seen firsthand how the big talkers in the workplace are the ones who get the promotions and salary increases. They usually do the least amount of work but make everything sound and look great. These types of people in the workplace often climb the career ladder very quickly. Don’t put your head down and let your work do the talking; be loud and bold. In the words of Beyoncé, be an ‘Alien Superstar’, but the corporate version. Don’t sell yourself short. Think like a man; they’re not modest or humble. They’re ballsy and confident without thinking twice. So the next time you want to let your work talk for itself, think about all the money you’re leaving on the table.
See you in my next post!
