How to Promote Yourself at Work Without Being a Jerk
READING TIME - 4 MINUTES
Let’s get real for a moment:
Getting promoted at work isn’t about staying late or working long hours. In fact, working too hard can actually hurt your career in the long run.
The thing most people overlook?
Self-promotion.
It’s one of the most powerful tools in your career toolkit, but it’s also one of the trickiest.
Why?
Because there’s a fine line between promoting yourself and coming across as arrogant or self-centered.
You don’t want to be that person who seems to constantly brag or take credit for everything.
But the reality is, if people don’t see your contributions, they don’t exist—and if the right people don’t notice, it’s even worse.
So why don’t more people promote themselves?
They don’t know how to do it without feeling uncomfortable, or they simply don’t believe in it.
Well, guess what?
You’re reading this because you want to learn how.
So let’s get to it.
Here are five ways you can promote yourself at work without being a jerk.
1) Promote Others, and They’ll Promote You
It sounds counterintuitive, but if you help others shine, they’ll be more likely to return the favor.
When you talk up your colleagues, highlight their accomplishments, and share their successes, you build goodwill.
People appreciate those who lift others up, and when the time comes, they’ll be more inclined to do the same for you.
2) Build Trust with Close Colleagues and Share Your Wins
Find a few people you trust at work—people who are supportive and won’t just nod along but will give you honest feedback and support.
Share your wins with them, ask them about theirs, and celebrate each other’s success.
When you promote their work, they’re more likely to return the favor and help boost your visibility when it matters most.
3) Don’t Skip Your 1:1—Include Your Wins
Your one-on-one meetings with your boss are the perfect time to share your wins.
Don’t hold back—tell your boss about your recent achievements and how you’ve contributed to the team.
Remember, your boss won’t know what you’ve been doing if you don’t tell them.
Make sure they know you’re adding value and contributing to the organization’s success.
4) Help Your Boss Look Good
One of the best ways to promote yourself is to help your boss shine.
When your boss looks good, you look good.
Support their initiatives, assist in areas where they need help, and take on responsibilities that show you’re a reliable team player.
When you make your boss successful, they’ll be more likely to advocate for you when it comes time for promotions or raises.
5) Jump Into Cross-Functional Projects
Take the initiative to join projects outside your department.
This is a great way to expand your network, demonstrate your skills, and get noticed by people in other parts of the organization.
Visibility is key—the more people see you in action, the more likely they are to think of you when opportunities arise.
and last point...
The art of self-promotion isn’t about being boastful; it’s about striking the right balance between humility and confidence.
You don’t need to wait for someone else to promote you—no one will care about your career as much as you do.
If you want to move up, you have to put yourself out there.
Don’t wait around for others to notice your work—make sure they do.