Though it’s plenty difficult to even get hired in the current employment shortage, the battle isn’t won just because you’re in the door. In many workplaces, there’s plenty of on-going competition for raises, better clients, new positions, and promotions. This is especially true in marketing agencies of all kinds.

It can be difficult to stand out and get noticed at your agency job, but when you can, it can help you get ahead. Whether you’re hoping for bigger clients or a promotion, using these 5 ways to get noticed at your agency job will help you accomplish your goals and find success.

1. Volunteer for New Projects and Work

Sometimes the thought of taking on extra projects just because is enough to make our heads spin—most of us are plenty busy already. But when new projects come up and your boss is looking for new people to work on them, they’ll notice if someone steps up and volunteers, even in spite if a full plate. Some projects may be less profitable or exciting than others, and some may be more difficult; taking on these projects and “taking one for the team” will be noticed by your boss, too—this is especially true if you’re volunteering for projects everyone else typically avoids.

Volunteering and offering to take on new work or projects shows drive, work ethic, and initiative. All of these are good things.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to take on more than you can handle (then nothing gets done, or things don’t get done well), but going above and beyond without putting your current work duties at risk is often a good thing.

2. Grow Beyond Your Position

  How often have you heard “I’m not doing that, that’s not my job” or “that’s not what I’m paid to do” said by a co-worker or employee? While sometimes there is a reason for this (when I was a seater at Disney, I was told to say this if anyone tried to make me bus tables), in most cases it can be seen as stubbornness or laziness.

Let’s say taking on press releases for your clients isn’t technically part of your job, but you’ve had training in how to write them and someone on your team is swamped. If you take on a duty that your role doesn’t require but that you’re able to do (particularly if your boss asks you too), you’ll again be seen as a team player and someone who will go above and beyond with the interest of the company in mind.

3. Find New Clients

Depending on your position, you’ll likely be assigned new clients that come to your agency. That’s great. You’ll start garnering some respect, however, when you start bringing in new clients on your own. While you want to make sure to network within your company or agency, it’s just as important to network outside of it.

You can find people who might need your services everywhere; you might know a friend of a friend who is looking for an agency like yours, or you could meet someone at a conference or in an online forum who could use the services your agency provides. Do whatever you can to set up meetings with them and bring them in as new clients, and your boss (and their boss) will likely take note.

4. Know Your Brand

This is important. In a marketing or PR agency of any kind, working on developing the brands of clients is likely an essential part of your job description. It only makes sense that you as an employee will want to know and develop your own particular brand, and know how it fits into your company.

Your brand as an employee is crucial. How do you interact with your coworkers, and how do you work in a team? Do you take on those extra projects, or difficult ones? How do you handle adversity? And what about how you present yourself? Do you wear jeans in an office that expects suits or slacks? How you carry and present yourself can help you stand out and get noticed, just as your work can.

Your boss will take note of your brand, and will keep that in mind. When there’s a meeting with a high profile client, you don’t want them to think “maybe we should send someone else instead.”

5. Generate Measurable Results

It’s great to have a reputation of someone who works hard, is a team player, and will represent the agency well. Few things, however, speak as loudly or as concretely as results. If you’re able to generate measurable results, this will prove your value and will likely lead to getting bigger accounts and clients, raises, and put you among the top candidates for future promotions.

Examples of measurable results include a ton of shares or an increase in traffic on blog content, high conversions on social media ads (or low cost per conversions), or an increase in sales of an e-mail remarketing campaign. Showing that you’re productive and efficient at work can also be a strong point if you can show this in measurable results.

Measurable results speak for themselves, and show the impact that you have made on clients and your agency.

Final Thoughts

Agency jobs can be competitive to get, and even more difficult to advance in, no matter how good you are. That being said, knowing how to stand out and put yourself above the pack will help you get noticed (and get those raises, bigger clients, or promotions).

How do you stand out at your agency job? What’s worked best for you? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!