What does it feel like to be passed over? Invisible.
I recently experienced this on a flight home from NYC. I was in a window seat, watching the flight attendant wheel the cart down the aisle. Beverage choices? Skipped me. Snack choices? Skipped me again. He never even looked my way. I was definitely angry. I… was… invisible.
That feeling hit close to home as I thought about my own career journey. How could I be doing all the right things and still be passed over for opportunities? Not that I interviewed and didn’t get the job—I was never even asked.
This is a common problem. Advocating for ourselves takes practice, and when people hear “advocate for yourself,” they often think it means constant self-promotion. What I’ve learned is, it’s more about being in the spotlight—being seen—so that you are thought of. Visibility matters.
Over time, I’ve learned a few strategies to make myself more visible (and, yes, to avoid the window seat invisibility trap on airplanes). Here’s what works:
1) Amplify your external perception.
Ever wonder why external candidates sometimes seem “better” than internal ones? Their shortcomings aren’t yet known, and the impression they make looks strong. You can do the same for yourself.
Update your LinkedIn. Post about the panels you speak on, any awards you receive, or the meaningful comments you make on others’ posts. When colleagues see your expertise and impact outside the company, your internal visibility rises too. Raise your hand for opportunities—and then share them. Advocacy starts with being visible.
2) Talk about what excites you.
If you aren’t sharing your interests and ambitions beyond your manager, you may be pigeonholed. People outside of your immediate team won’t think of you in an expanded way―unless you make it known. Some managers even hesitate to lose their top talent in current roles.
Be strategic about sharing your wins and passions. Without doing this, you remain in the “window seat” of your career—safe, but unseen.
3) Build relationships outside your immediate lane.
Visibility isn’t just about broadcasting—it’s about connection. Build relationships across departments, functions, and geographies. This raises your profile, broadens your perspective, and makes you a stronger contributor.
Set a goal: three new connections a month. Approach it with curiosity. For example:
“Hi Alex – I’m in 18F (Technical Solutions), and I’m interested in learning more about the commercial side of the business. Your experience in this area is often cited as impactful, and I’d love to hear your perspective. Could we grab coffee?”
Exploring what others do and how they think not only raises your visibility, but may even open doors you hadn’t considered.
Visibility is a habit, not a “one-time” act.
Being seen and heard consistently builds momentum. And with visibility, your career velocity increases. I promise.
About the Author
Carol Seymour: Global Executive, Speaker, Author and Founder of Signature Leaders
Carol Seymour is a sought-after business leader and seasoned global executive of large and mid-cap size companies and private-equity backed turnarounds.
She founded Signature Leaders in 2013 which focuses on accelerating women into next level leadership and helping leaders create greater impact and influence. Signature Leaders was recognized last year as one of Inc. 5000 “Fastest Growing Private Companies”.
The Signature series of leadership offerings support the growth of women from Manager level up to and including C-suite executives. Today, more than 3000 global leaders across 6 continents have experienced a Signature program. Signature Leaders partners with more than 140 market-leading companies for their selective investments.
Carol is also a Founding Member of Paradigm for Parity and named one of the Top 40 Women Keynote Speakers for 2020 by RealLeaders Magazine.
Carol resides in Cashiers, NC. She has two married children, three granddaughters, and a grandson.
