Heya Merrainiacs,
As a followup on our series about resumes, heres a few tips on the art of self-promotion.Everyone is repulsed by braggarts – people who are shameless self promoters. So don’t be one, ya hear?!
The truth is that (thankfully) these people rarely exist in the job search and career transition arena, as I can’t remember the last time I spoke with a candidate whom I felt was arrogant. Sure, people say off-color things when the stakes are high in an interview. But this doesn’t mean they are bragging. Typically, they are nervous and get caught in an awkward moment.Here’s a good formula for broadcasting your skills without being viewed as bragging. Write down and rehearse the 4-5 points that distinguish you from your peers. In other words, what home-runs have you delivered that demonstrate why you are such a strong candidate for a job. Know your messages cold so that in the heat of the moment, they are ready to be launched without a moment of consideration.
Don’t be afraid to speak matter-of-factly about your specific achievements. For example:
· - Exceeded management’s expectations by deploying a restructuring initiative that achieved…
· - Helped position my previous employer to be more market competitive and provide value-added service to its clients by…
· - Received multiple awards for generating year-over-year improvements to…
· - Worked with world-class experts in “x’, which provided me with a unique perspective to…
Be proud of who you are and what you have done and deliver your accomplishments in a direct, professional and measured way. Every action creates a reaction, and your role in selling yourself is to activate job opportunities, promotions or advancements. You’ll know if you did this well when a faint smile appears on the listeners face or you sense some other visceral reaction that captures their interest.
Hope that helps.
Merrainiac
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