Are you been ignored at work? Are you working hard, but not getting any recognition? Using the following  tips below may help you to go from a professional wallflower to a respected employee.

Steps

1. Work hard. Even though this may seem obvious, it is important that you adhere to the general rules of professionality (coming to work on time, keeping deadlines for assignments, not dealing with private issues at work). Make sure that you are dressed appropriately and neatly and interact with people around you in a friendly, cooperative manner, while completing each assignment as well as you possibly can.
2. Look approachable. If you barricade yourself behind piles of paper or slink through the office silently with your head down, your body language is signaling to people that you want to be left alone. Other people may even experience you as being rude or “strange”. Show that you are open by making eye contact with people, greeting them politely when you enter your workplace, and maintaining good posture (head up, back straight).
3. Be considerate. This doesn’t mean that you should be other people’s doormat, but small acts of kindness will catch their attention if they haven’t noticed you before. If one of these nice gestures is rejected, though (i.e. you bring a basket of cookies to work and everyone avoids them like poison), don’t keep trying too hard. The point is not to necessarily form personal relationships with your colleagues, but to show them that you take interest in their lives. In general, the feedback to these attempts should be positive, as long as they are not pushy or intrusive.
4. Ask for additional assignments, if possible. If you are trying to be promoted, show your boss that you are a responsible and productive employee. Ask for assignments that you are certain you can complete, and use them to prove your competence. This will help you climb the company ladder.
5. Get a makeover. It sounds shallow, but a new, fresh look may change the way people perceive you, especially if you are more of a plain jane/joe kind of person. Don’t do anything outside your comfort zone, but go to a salon and ask what small changes you can make to “brighten up”. They will be glad to help you out.

Tips

• Be yourself. Trying to excel at work does not mean you have to brown-nose.
• Stand up for yourself. People trying to take advantage of you will respect you more if you say “no” once in a while. Be friendly, but firm.

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