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Advocate for yourself
Video

Get Your Boss, Not CO, to Notice Your Work

In the civilian workforce, self-advocacy is key.

In the military, your work speaks for itself and is tracked by your commanding officer. But, at a civilian job, your boss may need you to walk them through it. If not, they won’t know how hard you’re working. 

That’s why you’ll want to proactively report on your progress. Keep a logbook for yourself so you can reference what you worked on… when… and how it went. Even if there’s a setback or delay, tell them. It shows you’re trying to get things done. Whatever the result, explain why your work mattered.

It’s a change from reporting to a CO, but to get noticed by your boss, advocate for yourself. Don’t think of it as showing off, you’re showing your work.

In the military, your work speaks for itself. Your progress is tracked by your commanding officer. Your value is clear. However, in the civilian workforce, you have to advocate for yourself. Otherwise, your boss might incorrectly assume that nothing was done, even if you did the work. 

Proactively reporting on your progress shows your hard work to your supervisor. Keep a logbook for yourself as a way to reference what you worked on, when, and how it went. Even reporting on setbacks or delays shows you’re still working to get things done. It also can bring you the help needed for an even better outcome. Regardless of the result, explain the value of your contribution.

This approach is undoubtably a change from having a commanding officer knowing your progress. But, to get noticed in your civilian job, speak up for your work.