How to get noticed at work

Updated November 9, 2026

You get noticed by doing work that matters to your boss's goals and telling people about it, briefly and regularly. Good work alone stays invisible: pair it with a weekly update, a voice in meetings and one visible project.

What to do

1. Learn what your boss is measured on. Ask: "What are your top priorities this quarter?" Then put your best effort where it moves those results.
2. Send a short weekly update. Three lines on Friday: what you finished, the result, what's next. It keeps you top of mind without bragging.
3. Speak once in every meeting. Prepare one point or question before you walk in, and say it early. More in how to speak up in meetings.
4. Own one visible problem. Volunteer for the thing everyone complains about: a broken process, a stuck client issue, a new tool. Fix it and share the result.
5. Make others look good. Thank colleagues by name in team channels. People remember who credits them, and they mention you in return.
6. Get known beyond your team. Help another team, give a short demo, or ask a senior person for a 20-minute chat about their work.

What to say

Send this to your boss to open the conversation:

Hi, I want to make sure I'm focused on what matters most to you. What are your top priorities this quarter, and where could I have the most impact? I'd also like to take on something more visible. If there's a project or problem that needs an owner, I'd be glad to step up.

Avoid

• Working late in silence and expecting someone to notice.
• Long self-promotional emails: keep updates short and factual.
• Saying yes to everything: busy is not the same as visible.

Questions