Introduction

This post explains five ways you can start advocating for yourself at work and break out of a cycle of comfort to advance your career. If you are interested in advancing your career or different forms of personal growth, read on.

1. Monthly Supervisor Check-ins

At most organizations, especially large ones, face time is crucial to to upward mobility and better opportunities. Often it will be your supervisor, another manager, or even a colleague who will mention your name for a promotion, raise, or new project. “Out of sight, out of mind” weighs heavily here because doing your work in a silo keeps you from known and your work from being noticed. Having a monthly meeting (supervisory, check-in, update, whatever you choose to call it), reminds your boss what you are working on and can potentially help you avoid obstacles as they may come up.

More specifically, these check-ins provide opportunities to:

• Discuss your progress and achievements
• Address challenges and seek support
• Set goals and align expectations
• Express career aspirations and development needs

There is another saying that fits here, “closed mouths don’t get fed.”

If you don’t currently have meetings with your supervisor, be proactive in setting up a recurring meeting. Have a formal or informal agenda with set talking points, or use mine here. Don’t wait until you have an issue to set up these meetings, either. Be strategic and try and set them up at a time where you can set the stage for what you want the meetings to look like and express what you hope to get out of them. When you go in already fed up with work and ready to quit, there is going to be tension. That type of meeting will be a grievance meeting rather than one supporting your growth.

If your supervisor is not open to these types of meetings or lacks time, you may need to ask yourself if this is the right place for you in terms of growth. Some workplaces are great when we just want to coast, and that is okay, but make sure that is what you want to do.

2. Affinity Groups

While affinity groups in and of themselves may not help your career progress, you can develop some great relationships, lament on shared issues in the workplace, and get tips and feedback from peers. These groups offer:

• A supportive network of like-minded colleagues
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills
• A platform to voice concerns and suggest improvements
• Increased visibility within the organization

Participation in an affinity group can help foster community, especially if you’re in a sea of homogenous white peers. Organizations, sadly, are more likely to listen to the needs of a group than one person. As a group, you can advocate for fairness, more diversity, and wellness initiatives. Everyone will have a different experience with affinity groups, but I’ve found that the more active and open you are within the group, the better the result, especially if you are more introverted or get good vibes from the group. Trust your gut. Always.

3. External Training

Investing in external training is a proactive approach to self-advocacy only if you get your employer to provide the resources for it. These resources can be money, recommendation letters, networking opportunities, direct connections with peers at other organizations, etc. By pursuing additional education and certifications, you:

• Enhance your skill set and value to the company and your own professional bag
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices
• Demonstrate initiative and commitment to professional growth
• Gain leverage for negotiating promotions, salary increases, or moving to a new employer or industry

If you don’t know where to start, inquire with your manager, HR, or peers about upcoming trainings they know of or are taking. You can also do a simple Google search for trainings or webinars in your field. You’re bound to find a ton, but vet carefully and do your research. If the course costs money, see if your company will cover the cost. Make sure you tie in how the course would help you in your work or again add value to the organization. Also make sure it’s something of interest to you, otherwise you’ll be miserable going through it.

Professional associations, i.e. National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) or National Association of Tax Preparers (NATP), are great for webinars and in-person sessions. See if your organization will cover the cost of dues to join the organization and any subsequent events if they aren’t free. It will be a chance to learn and network, which leads into our next point.

4. External Networking Opportunities

Building a strong professional network outside your organization is crucial for understanding your industry. While people may not quite be comfortable telling you how much they make off bat, you can get a pulse on salary expectations and standards as well as roles and responsibilities. A strong network could be the springboard for your next career opportunity. I actually landed my current role off of a recommendation. My financial advisor’s friend was looking for a Fiscal Director and he recommended me. I later learned that I was highly recommended.

Attend industry conferences, join professional associations, and engage in online communities to expand your network. If you are open, you may develop personal connections. I have a handful of friends that have come from past jobs. One even offered me a referral to her current company. Definitely do not underestimate the power of connections.

5. Updated Industry Pay

Staying informed about current industry pay rates is essential for advocating for fair compensation. To access this information:

• Regularly research salary data for your role and experience level
• Consider factors like location, company size, and industry when comparing salaries
• Leverage your network and ask peers if they’re comfortable giving their pay ranges
  • Ask mentors and colleagues in advance positions for their input
  • Start talking to recruiters to get ideas on what other companies are offering
• Use this data to inform salary negotiations during performance reviews
• Be prepared to articulate your value and contributions when discussing compensation

Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to being paid fairly for the value you provide. You do not and should not have to overwork yourself and feel burnt out before you consider asking for a raise. Look at what you are currently doing and go back to your supervisory meetings. Have you received good feedback from your supervisor or team? Have you implemented any necessary changes? Are you consistently discussing the projects you’re working on with your supervisor and drawing connections to the value they provide the company? If so, and you’ve done the research above, prepare your points and advocate for yourself.

Conclusion

Advocating for yourself at work is an ongoing process that requires confidence, preparation, and strategic action. By implementing these five strategies – monthly supervisor check-ins, joining affinity groups, pursuing external training, building your professional network, and staying informed about industry pay – you’ll be well-equipped to navigate your career path and achieve your professional goals. I know it can be scary for some people to speak up and be their own advocate, but I promise the more you do it, the more confident you’ll become. The more confident you become, your impostor syndrome will minimize leaving room for you to know and communicate your worth while walking away from opportunities that don’t serve it.

Now go out there and move up and get paid! Work smarter, not harder. 😉