"Work hard and success will follow' is a maxim we've been fed from a very young age, whether we're interested in living by it or not. A definite formula for lasting success, in the corporate set-up that we all seem to be holed up in today hard work alone cannot get you anywhere close to the to heights you've set for yourself. Yes, working hard can make you proficient and will certainly add value to your professional portfolio, but when you want to move up the career ladder, it's important to make sure that people on top notice what you're up to. You will have to play to the gallery whether you like it or not

This might seem like living a farce sometimes but if you seriously aspire to get to the top, then it's about time you joined the bandwagon sooner, because waiting around cannot get you anywhere. So if you're hoping for that rightful yet elusive promotion to come your way, then get ready to polish your PR skills and be seen at all the right places at the right time!

If you're clueless about where and when this might be, here are some strategies that can put you on the spotlight like never before.

Chip-in, take-up, volunteer
If you want to be noticed by your employer, you have no choice but to make sure you stay under their radar as much as possible. Make sure you always impressively showcase your potential and volunteer to take-up more work, whenever possible. Always remember the more responsibilities you sign-up for and successfully juggle, the more will you be considered a valuable hire. On the good side, the more you multitask the more skills will you add to your resume, however stretching to the limit alone will not help completely, if no one notices and someone else takes the credit. So when you do extra hours, make sure it doesn't go unnoticed. You don't have to walk around announcing with a megaphone or put up a banner but make sure you let the word subtly spreads around.

Learn, assimilate, showcase
We live in a constantly connected world that warrants some real quick thinking. Nowadays to get ahead you can't be happy with just thinking ahead, you have to act way ahead of your competition even for a marginal headway. So keeping this in mind, if you think you can just do what you do everyday and hope to be promoted you're definitely in the wrong generation. Coming up with an earth-shattering idea is so last century! Today even remaining in the race requires that you develop new strategies and act on it way before anyone thinks about it. Definitely a tough expectation to match but staying on your toes constantly is a necessity today if you want to stay at the top of your game.

So most importantly if you want a pay raise make sure your strategies and learning is there for all to see. Strut your stuff, in meetings, emails, discussions, wherever possible and let people see that you know what you're talking about and ensure that your constructive thoughts and tactics are made known to your peers and superiors.

Be a meetings sensation
Meetings are an important agenda every week and very rarely are they impromptu sessions. From deciding the next course of action to running through past performance, there could be many reasons why you would be called for a meeting. But whatever the need might be, it would pay to keep in mind that making a great impression at a meeting will be a bonus later. No boss wants to have people who don't say much when everyone else is working on coming to a consensus or devising a brand new strategy. So even if you don't have anything to say just convey your thoughts on a certain point or course of action, or the very least ask questions, as this will show that you're paying attention and you're genuinely interested.

However you also have another option. The minute you come to know that there's going to be a meeting, find out what it's going to be about and gather enough information. Note down the necessary points and if possible even devise solutions that you think would be feasible for the situation. This will not only ensure that you're up and ready when the time comes, but it will also help you to constructively join the conversation and create a lasting impression.

Blow your own trumpet
In the corporate world everyone blows their own trumpet, albeit subtly. Considered the secret mantra for success, every time you do something praiseworthy make sure people around you know. Brag but do not under any condition become pompous. From copying important people in your emails to keeping your boss informed of important developments in projects that you're spearheading, make it a point to keep important people in the loop. This way you can make sure that any appreciation that you receive, be it from clients or others within the organisation, your superiors come to know about it.

Religiously work on incorporating these tips into your work life and wait to see the transformation for yourself. However after months of being more than noticeable, if you're still not getting anywhere closer to the promotion or raise that you're hoping to get, it is just a sign that you will have to pack your bags and move. After all what's the use of holding on to an employer who does not acknowledge your efforts or skills?