And Their Eyes Were On

Wanting to be noticed is a natural desire. It’s good to be noticed when we’re doing a good job of something or look particularly sharp. It’s understandable to want to shout on the rooftops when you’ve made the coup de jour. There are also times when it isn’t necessary to stand in front of the spotlight because, even though you thought you were in the shadows, in the pocket of a corner, there were actually quite a few who noticed.

A former mentor (lost to Death) once counselled, “Mind what you do. There are eyes on you when you don’t think there are. There are eyes watching you when you don’t see anyone.” The counsel was about minding protocol in order to portray (and be) a proper person. It was very important at that time and in that setting that one display only the most appropriate demeanor in order to be considered a lady, an upstanding member of the community, a leader, a professional, a person with a great deal of potential.
Even though that teacher’s reputation and our association was known to the community, it was my responsibility to perform well in order to be offered openings. Then, triumphing in the pursuit meant a good reflection and reputation for both me as well as my mentor. It wasn’t necessary to scrounge for attention. The work and work ethic spoke for themselves. And opportunities followed.
A passing mention in the most innocuous places can turn into an opened door. Someone at the office knows you’re taking classes to complete a particular degree or certificate. In the alternative, they’re aware that the degree was recently earned. They just happen to mention it to someone else who needs a person with (or developing) knowledge in that particular area. The reason it’s mentioned is because the person passing the word along is impressed with what they’ve seen. They like the demeanor, the manner of speaking to everyone with equal respect, the upbeat attitude, the can-do disposition, the assertive (rather than fainting) approach. The one who receives the heads-up notice takes a long view assessment for a while and then approaches with an offer.
Complainers get noticed. Initially, there’s gratitude that someone’s attention was brought to bear on the situation so that it could be rectified. But complaints grate on one’s nerves. Complaints tear down morale. A better approach is to be noticed as the one who has solutions. The one who can bring attention, through casual conversation, to the fact that there’s a change that’s occurred. Or offering to help with a project in a particular area. What’s noticed is the helpfulness, resourcefulness, as well as openness to working on new or additional things. It wasn’t a complaint that got noticed, it was the person who has more information and solutions.
Again, it doesn’t take standing on a grandstand or turning the spotlight on your figure to gain attention. There are eyes on you when you don’t see them. The fact that you come in quietly, focus intently on doing your work, are friendly and polite, professional and diligent, all stand out and speak for themselves. You may not speak to anyone for several days but go through your normal routine. It gets noticed. And if your work is going on the Web, it’s the evidence of that diligence and is getting noticed.
Speaking of the web, there are thousands, even millions of eyes watching there. Recruiters develop new, more creative strategies for finding the qualified talent they need. They search more than job boards. They search the social networking sites for leads, they search discussion lists, they search blogs on sites such as CollegeRecruiter.com, they search Comments to blogs, they use information gathering search engines such as ZoomInfo, LinkedIn, Indeed, and many candidate profile sites. Whatever is posted on the Web is there for worldwide public consumption.
Even though I am fully aware of the reach of the Internet and the exposure it provides and have been writing on the web since 1998, I still see myself a a very small creature on this planet. It was frustrating to see no responses to my work and words. It seemed evidence of lack of readership and therefore a waste of energy and resources. Imagine my surprise when in the last month I have heard bus drivers, library tutors, and people in the grocery store quoting my words to me. The Internet has eyes and ears. What you do can and does influence many people. One librarian summed it up very nicely. Even though you don’t see anyone or hear anything from them, they’re still watching and reading.
Remember that there are what is known as lurkers out there. They take in many things. Some things they take in on a regular basis because it has caught their attention in a favorable way. They do not speak for any of multiple reasons: time, desire to remain anonymous, whatever. Some are folk just like any others. Some are recruiters. Some are managers looking for new talent. The point is, their eyes are on the prize.

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