Is there a way I can prove my value or should I just look for a new job?

I’ve been employed as a UX designer for the past two years and am feeling stuck. While I really like my job and workplace, my superiors aren’t fully aware of what I can do, nor do they understand how my work fits into the broader picture. I’m not invited to meetings where my work is a major (but overlooked) factor, and I often receive feedback or instructions from managers who are completely unfamiliar with my area of expertise. Recently, I learned that my boss was considering hiring an outside agency for a project that I could easily (and very successfully!) do.

It seems there’s just no way for me to advance the way things are. Is there a way I can prove my value or should I just look for a new job?

Your question makes me think of a great quote: “Wherever you go, there you are.”

While both you and your employer contributed to this problem, switching workplaces won’t necessarily solve it. No matter where you go, it will be your problem until you take charge of your part. Luckily though, there are plenty of things you can do to change the situation on your own.

When it comes to work, there are some fundamental skills (besides the primary ones necessary to do your actual job) you need to master to move up the totem pole. If you implement these skills over the next few months at your current job, I suspect you’ll be thinking less about leaving and more about decorating your upgraded workspace.

Being the best UX designer in the world isn’t enough. You’ve got to be good at UX, and good at the secret super skill called speaking up.

Start by practicing the simple exercise of taking credit when it’s due. If others aren’t aware of your accomplishments, that’s because you haven’t told them! I know, it might feel unnatural, but at work your job is to share your accomplishments. The next time you complete a successful project, share it. Be it an email to your team with an exciting update or a casual mention to a coworker, it all counts. The more people you share it with, the better.

Besides sharing your accomplishments with others, write things down. Create a dedicated document and a weekly time where you track your progress. At your annual review meeting (which you can request if that isn’t standard), you may find yourself just as impressed as your manager.

Regarding participating in meetings, as you’ve noticed, waiting for an invitation isn’t working. Instead, I’d like you to try asking to join meetings that impact your work. Your employers seem to lack awareness of your specialty, research, and process. It’s your job to demonstrate how being involved at a higher level will impact the user experience you can create.

You can say something like this: “I understand that there are many factors that influence design decisions beyond my area of expertise, and I’m given assignments that align with the bigger picture. There have been a few situations where we’ve gone through multiple changes because decision-makers weren’t aware of certain design capabilities/strategies in advance. It would be more efficient if I could participate in meetings that impact my work so we can get those details hammered out from the outset. Can we try that going forward?”

Scary to ask, I know. But it can be even scarier when you don’t (remember that awful toolbar placement?).

Another big factor that’s needed to change the company’s perception of you from a lowly employee to a respected professional involves your own self-perception. Here’s how it’s going to work: From this point forward, consider yourself self-employed. (No need to tell anyone, you can still hold onto that W-2!). You are no longer an employee, but a renowned expert in your field hired for specific projects.

With your brand-new status, you’ll confidently act like the professional you are. The next time your (uneducated in UX) manager critiques your work, instead of frustratedly complying with something you know doesn’t make sense, respond authoritatively:

“Thanks, I appreciate your suggestion. I actually created it this way based on X research, which has proven in this industry to bring in 47 percent higher sales with an 11 percent higher conversion rate. Considering our customers are in this demographic and based on Projects A and B where they have bought following this principle, would you still like me to implement those changes?”

A teeny overdose on industry jargon doesn’t hurt, especially while proving that you are an expert, doing your job based on hard data and proven techniques. By showing up as expert, you’re likely to gain respect and see an attitude shift in the people around you. On top of that, thinking of yourself as independent forces you to work harder to keep your “client” happy, since you’re holding yourself to your own, higher standard.

Once you try out these new skills for a while, you’ll likely find your colleagues displaying a newfound appreciation for your work, or alternately, you’ll be confident enough to start off on a higher track elsewhere. Personally, I’m betting on someone scratching their head wondering, Why did we ever consider hiring outside help when we’ve got our own expert on staff?

Shaina Keren is a career consultant who helps people discover and create careers that fit their best talents, interests, and life goals. She also advises businesses on hiring and keeping “the right people in the right seat,” in a win-win approach to growing businesses and careers.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1046)