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How Not to Get Promoted At Work
I was scrolling through some draft posts to get an idea for what I would write today.
Last year, I copied a link (I think I remember my friend Rusty Speidel sending it to me) called “7 Sneaky Ways to Get Promoted” into my drafts folder and I just revisited it.
I’m not sure why I didn’t write about this a year ago, because it has me all fired up now, but it’s coming full circle.
It’s in Shine, the Yahoo beauty online publication.
If you begin to put two and two together (sneaky ways to get promoted plus beauty publication) you’ll know why I’m fired up.
In their recommendations:
- Use mantras; i.e. positive self-talk. Are you ready for this? The article says, “You need to do positive mirror mantras every single day, and then makeup will make you radiant because it’s backed up by a beautiful spirit inside.” Yes, you read that correctly. Makeup will make you radiant.
- Lighten up…as in your hair. Yep, it turns out blondes do have more fun. “Who’s making the big bucks? Blondes, apparently. According to a study in the “Economics Letters” journal, the hair color family you fall into can affect your bank account.”
- Emphasize your uniqueness. I’m beginning to cringe. But here you go. This is what they say, “Don’t be a slave to trends. Create your own personal sense of style and have a signature, like a red lip, a lined eye, a stack of bangles or a passion for different glasses. Something that’s unique to you makes people notice.”
- Flash some pearly whites. Ohhhh. So that’s why all the girls on The Bachelor have such white teeth. It’s so they can be promoted at work!
- Try a bold lip. Oh yes. Apparently people will listen to you if you have a bold lip. “The key is to look appropriate and confident without overdoing it. A stronger lip like a red or berry stain screams confidence and draws the attention to your mouth so people will listen to you.”
- Cover your roots. I’m serious. It should go without saying if you neglect your roots, you clearly are neglecting your job. Duh.
- Beware of happy hour. This is the only tip I agree with. I still remember the boss who hooked up with our client after a night of drinking. I was 23 and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Look, I’m a big believer in women using their assets in a business setting. We have different strengths than men. And we have the advantage of makeup and different styles of clothes to make us more interesting, day after day.
But, come on!
What happened to, oh I don’t know, maybe the following tips instead?
- Be passionate about your work. A promotion isn’t The Secret. If you only think about getting a promotion, you will not get it. If you’re passionate about your work, you will be radiant and fun to be around because of that…not because of makeup.
- Lighten up. As in don’t take yourself so seriously. I can point to plenty of women who are not blond (present company included) who are extremely successful. In fact, not one of the Arment Dietrich female employees is blond. But if you do learn how to joke around with clients, learn a bit about their personal lives, and get to know them outside of work, they’ll be recommending you for promotion.
- Emphasize your uniqueness. Know your strengths and create an ally with a colleague who is strong where you are weak. Work together in teams to complement each other’s unique abilities.
- Draw attention to your mouth. By having intelligent conversations. People will listen to you if you’re smart, confident, full of ideas, and willing to listen. It has nothing to do with the color of your lips. If it did, no one would listen to me because I prefer clear lipgloss.
- Beware of happy hour. I agree with this one for the aforementioned reason.
And, let’s be real. You’re not getting promoted if you don’t do all of these things plus you’re really good at your job.
Don’t talk badly about your colleagues behind their backs. Don’t hit reply all and say something snarky about your boss or client…who is on the distribution list (I saw that one happen, too). Don’t complain if you have to work occasionally work late. And for goodness sakes, don’t take career advice from the beauty magazines.
Gosh, Gini, I had bookmarked that one (Shine is on my regular reading list) and was working my way through the suggestions. I'm on day 3 of my whitening program and went blond just this weekend. Even though I have no one to promote me I thought it might work in attracting new clients or investors.
Dangit. You mean I actually have to work hard, be polite, do what I say I'm going to do and deliver results? That. Is. So. Boring. ;)
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This is some great information Gini. I do feel that once you have a good understanding of your job and you grow a passion for it then you're going to really get the promotion that you want without asking for it.
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I actually mentioned emphasizing uniqueness in my comment on yesterday's post. Who'd have guessed they would think the same way in a beauty magazine. Tomorrow, I chant mantras and apply makeup to seal in the mantras. Excellent.
KevinVandever Haha! Can't let those pesky mantras escape.
KevinVandever Make sure it's bold lip color.
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They may have red lips but by God when this redhead speaks, it's not my lips they're looking at.. It's for the closest exit.
The only thing they omitted from this was the correct title which should have been "7 Sneaky Ways to get promoted by your male, sexist boss"
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KristenDaukas The only problem with that title? It was written by a freaking woman!
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ginidietrichKristenDaukas Someone should take her sisterhood card away.
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KristenDaukas Seriously!
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I got promoted without doing any of those things. Maybe I got promoted wrong? Or maybe I have some secret mutant power... There's a lot of stuff on Shine I hope people aren't taking to heart, but in this job market, they could hurt someone with that kind of advice. Different glasses???
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ShakirahDawud I think you must have some secret mutant power because it's clear most don't get promoted without bold lips or blond hair.
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"Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me."
Frank_Strong LMAO!!! Where were you at 5:00 this morning? That would have been perfect in the post.
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You know this just makes me think of reality television. What sort of lessons do we learn about women on reality TV?
Well they rarely are able to work together. They either wish they were men or hate them. Pretty things are always worth paying for, regardless of need or ability to purchase.
And the list goes on...
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TheJackB It's shocking to me the things women will do. Using my The Bachelor example from the blog post, the things those women do kills me. Do they not have fathers who are mortified or humiliated? Perhaps it's in how we're raised. I suppose there will always be women who don't mind getting naked for Playboy.
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ginidietrich It reminds me of when I interviewed to be a drug rep. I was 28 and in good shape. Made it to the third round and was interviewed as part of a group.
Three managers and five candidates were in that room. How can I put this delicately, I was the only person whose chest didn't pass through the doorway before the rest of me. I was also the only one who wasn't hired.
For better or for worse sex sells. But I'll add that I always tell my daughter that she is smart and beautiful. Smart comes first because that is the message I want her to get.
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Their list - wtf.
Your list -OK - now we are talking.....
I need to get my Spinsucksblog action on a lot more often
Here's hoping.
Nic_Cartwright We miss you! How is the world with consistent Interwebz?
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ginidietrich Solution may be approaching..... Work is hit n miss.... but I finally (today!) have a working internet at home - that to date has not droppe........
ginidietrich Too easy - I had to go for it...!!
Not yet dropped out (though that "internet fails again" gag did take a long time to set up - #worthit?)
Work is fun and challenging. When I compare and contrast - your ideas would be from another planet out here - but give me a year or 2 - we wil rule the SM Omani airwaves...!
Summer is on the way apparently.......
Sigh. I'm totally shocked that this was written by a woman - for a woman. (Not really). Like I said on my RT - Can't believe there's no buy a lot of v-neck sweaters in this article. Why can't we use women like the ones I encounter here through Spin Sucks as a guide for promotions and successful careers?
Thank YOU Gini for providing some tips that do not include "look totes hot and you'll go, like, so far in your, like, life and stuff!" If I had the time to nurse a headache today, I'd bang my head on the desk.
Maranda Like totally we can like get promoted if we like act stupid.
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ginidietrich While I was on lunch (went and got some lipstick and some hair dye, cause being a red head is so not worthy of a promotion) and I remembered something I noticed last week at a local job fair. There were some girls who were clearly using assets not on their resume to get noticed. I was astounded. I hope it's not too late for the business minded woman.
Maranda I wish these things were taught in school. What happened to wearing a business suit?
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Wow, that's repulsive! I love that "creating your own sense of style" equates to "wearing something pretty," too. Isn't it possible to create your own sense of style through attitude and demeanor as well? Crazy...
I can get behind your tips, though! Good stuff. Your first one has never failed me in any job I've had over the past 12 years -- people NOTICE that. And if they don't, then you have to come up with a way to get them to notice your passion (that doesn't involve lipstick or bangles, surprise surprise).
Side note: I once had a former co-worker accidentally CC me on a nasty email to another employee -- and it was about me. SO unprofessional! That's a surefire way to get kicked to the curb.
Jill Tooley I had that happen once, too. But it was about my choice in men. To another colleague on our work email addresses. She got fired. (and she was right - my BF sucked, but it still hurt)
Barf, barf, barf...
Ok. I think I can write now. What a bunch of bad baloney (and hence my barfing). Thanks for updating this 50's-style crap and bringing it into the new millennium.
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Neicolec It's sad it was published in 2011. I thought your tweet was hilarious!
I roared laughing at this Gini, it just seems so surreal as I sit here with my non-blonde hair, yet still with roots showing from an experimental colour project, bare lips and naked wrists. HELLO - HAVE YOU EVERY TRIED TYPING WITH BANGLES??? This is why I completely stopped reading fashion magazines because they are just advertorials. Thanks for the great post and keepin' it real as ever!
ladylaff "HELLO - HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TYPING WITH BANGLES???"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! It's so true! LOL!
I will add a controversial one:
6. Take up golf.
Seriously, when I worked for someone else the people that got a lot of promotions were good golfers.
Of course I suck at golf and I was outspoken, and very independent. Maybe I was not meant to work in the fortune 500... so definitely take my recommendation with some skepticism. It's certainly better than beauty tips and mantras though. :)
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hackmanj shuffleboard and lawn bowling are also popular. jasonkonopinski has a very low handicap in Shuffleboard.
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ginidietrich how bizarre and outdated. Sounds like a 50s guide for the new working woman!
@TheOnlyOliviaOC Doesn't it? And yet...it was written last year
TheJobQuest Stupid career "secrets"
ginidietrich Ha! It would have been more appropriate if that list had been published on an April Fools' Day. How sad they weren't joking...
@TheJobQuest It makes me very sad. It's 2012, people!
ginidietrich HA! great post.
nancyduan People!
DBMC Why are beauty publications even ALLOWED to give career advice? There should be a law.
angelambrown sadly, many young women only get career advice from these type of publications...
DBMC That explains all the cleavage, mini skirts and platform heels I've seen on girls headed to work and at conferences
angelambrown It does! Also, these girls are not taking cues from professional women but rather Jersey Shore and Housewives...ya know?
ginidietrich I never cease to be amazed at how much bad advice is out there for young pros. Sad. Smh.
TheRedDogInn It is sad, isn't it?
sherrilynne I love your avatar. The green shirt with your red hair is so striking.
ginidietrich Hey thanks! Nice to have you as a follower!
CSINowedu Thanks for the RT- funny post, huh? Who would have thought the Shine would post about beauty to get ahead in your career?!
dks_systems You are very welcome!
Enjoyed this -- even if it made me reach for my lipgloss! RT ginidietrich 7surefire ways to not get promoted at work http://t.co/RjyVdz6o
[...] The way goes for having a bad attitude. It affects those around you: at home, at work, in public. When you go to work, do you have a bad attitude about your job? Your customers? That sort of attitude is not very conducive to a positive work environment, and it certainly well help you get ahead and progress in your career. [...]
[...] Dietrich is founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, Inc. This first appeared on the blog Spin Sucks. Share this:ShareEmailPrintFacebookTwitterLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This [...]
[...] is inspired by a post Gini Dietrich published last week about an online beauty column on how women can get promoted at [...]