Show Me What You’ve Got

In kindergarten we had “Show and Tell,” because face it, what good is talking about your pet iguana or your uncle’s glass eye if you don’t have the evidence to back it up? Showing what you can do and making the right career moves go a long way towards advancing your career. As a millennial who’s spanned seven grade levels in eight years (from trainee to supervisor), I would share three key points that come from personal experience and insight from other federal leaders.

1. Show your aspirations. There is a difference between a manager saying “Suzy Q works like a GS-13” and “We all know Suzy Q wants a GS-13.” While there is nothing wrong with voicing your aspirations, the important thing to do is to have a vision and work your way towards it. If you are consistently shown operating at a higher level, managers will start thinking of you in that way and will find you opportunities. This is the difference between finding a sponsor/champion and earning one.

2. Look for chaos. A year ago I had the opportunity for a promotion from an office I spent nine years in, or I could take a lateral reassignment to new organization that needed someone with my background to lead it. Truth is, we thrive when put in stressful situations, and when a hiring manager is faced with a candidate that stayed in one lane versus one that branched out and still succeeded, that’s one call that’s easier to make.

3. Stand out. Have a budget background but volunteered for a science workgroup? Accepted a position in an organization you know little about? Good! Having a different point of view is the difference between being a follower and an innovator. Don’t be afraid to stand out and be outstanding.