How Not To Sound Like A Jerk When Talking About Yourself Professionally

They say that the world is in the hands of hustlers, but if you’re one of those great and skilled hustlers – how can you talk about your accomplishments without sounding like you’re bragging?

The worry of coming across as arrogant prevents individuals from expressing the value they can provide to clients. Many professionals find self-promotion to be extremely difficult, even when they know it is necessary for their own success. There are various misconceptions when it comes to self-promotion, resulting in people keeping away from talking about themselves.

According to Forbes, the average American hears or reads a hundred thousand words everyday. According to studies stretching back decades, 80% of what we learn is forgotten in 24 hours. That makes it far less likely that your message will be remembered. And we have a better chance of being remembered if we talk openly about our achievements. 

In this newsletter, we’ll talk about how you can make yourself unforgettable by sharing the experiences that are most intriguing about yourself without coming across as a jerk during the process.

Tell a story. Try sharing a story instead of giving straight facts about your background. Provide as much context as possible around your experience, and explain how it influenced your decision making. You may also tell a story that demonstrates your training and expertise. Keep your emphasis on the essential point, no matter how you tell it, so your listeners don't get lost in what you're trying to express.

Show appreciation for your previous success. Don't be afraid to acknowledge the role of a great mentor or a helpful team in your accomplishments. Everybody likes someone who gives credit where it is due, and it demonstrates that you value the people in your life who help you succeed.

Emphasize how your background relates to the job requirements. Go over the job description before an interview and consider how you may directly connect your experiences to the qualifications. This is easy if you have prior experience in the industry, but if you're transitioning into a new one, it can be your point of entry. It's hard to believe you're unqualified in any situation if you can demonstrate how your previous experience is directly related to the job description.

Avoid fake modesty. People sometimes have a tendency of undermining themselves during an interview. You may begin describing your impressive background and then follow it up by saying it wasn't all that significant. This not only decreases your chances of landing the job, but it also appears insincere. Either you have or do not have the experience. You may still promote yourself without putting yourself down. If you're worried about sounding like a jerk by talking about your skills, practice interview questions with a friend and get feedback on how you sound.

Just be yourself. Even if they appear to be great, some companies and jobs are simply not for you. It's preferable to be turned down after an interview because you don't fit in with the workplace culture than to acquire the job, dislike it, and exit after a few months of stay. There will always be a place for you, where your work and skills will be appreciated. 

Your goal is to seem interesting and unforgettable by sharing just enough about your accomplishments to the person you’re speaking to, but not so much that they would feel overwhelmed. You don’t want to squeeze in an accomplishment that has no relevance to the situation. Instead of forcing your achievements into conversations, work them in where they naturally belong.

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