Earn Trust: Showing Vs. Telling

This newsletter edition is for you if you're job searching, trying to get clients, asking for a raise, managing a team, networking, or providing someone feedback.

Hey everyone, Allison here! This week, we're diving into a powerful concept that can dramatically impact your career success - showing versus telling. It's about building trust, demonstrating your value, and getting noticed in a world overflowing with information.

Think about it: You can tell someone you're a great programmer, or you can show them the code you wrote. You can tell your boss you deserve a raise, or you can show them the results you've achieved. The difference? Showing builds trust and creates lasting impressions.

Here's how to "show" your value in different aspects of your professional life:

1. Job Interviews - Beyond the Resume:

While a resume outlines your skills, it's your "show" that seals the deal.

• Project Portfolio: Instead of just listing your web development skills, create a portfolio showcasing your work. Let potential employers see your website designs, code samples, or design projects. When applying for a job, include the portfolio as a URL or PDF (this is considered supplemental material). If you want to see what my project portfolio looks like or how to make one for free in Canva, just DM me. I'll send you a quick tutorial I made.
• Live Demo: If you have programming skills, consider a screen-sharing demo (for only a few short minutes) to highlight your coding abilities during an interview.
• Show Appreciation: Instead of just saying "thank you" after an interview, send a personalized Loom video expressing your enthusiasm and gratitude with a smile. If you want to see an example video I made introducing myself to a recruiter, or thanking them after an interview, DM me. I'll send it over!

2. Negotiating Your Worth - Go Beyond Words:

When you're asking for a raise or a promotion, it's time to step beyond simple requests.

• Quantifiable Results: Don't just tell your boss about your accomplishments. Show them with concrete data. Create a document outlining how much money you've helped the company save, the projects you've spearheaded, or the skills you've acquired. Check out the example below:
• Impact and Goals: Demonstrate how your contributions align with the company's overall goals. Highlight your successes and outline your future aspirations.

3. Client Acquisition - Earn Trust Through Proof:

In a competitive marketplace, potential clients want to see proof of your success.

• Testimonials: Collect positive reviews and testimonials from happy clients. Showcase their experiences to build trust and confidence. Check out this recent success story from my private mentorship group for job seekers, Career Catalyst:

• Case Studies: Create case studies illustrating your expertise and how you've helped clients achieve their goals.

4. Building Trust as a Leader - Lead with Vulnerability:

As a manager, it's crucial to build trust with your team.

• Transparency: Don't pretend to have all the answers. Show your team that you're human and willing to learn.
• Authenticity: If an employee asks for advice on handling a conflict, respond with empathy and honesty. Share your own struggles and how you've learned to navigate challenging situations.

5. Networking - Beyond Business Cards:

• Telling: You might tell someone you're passionate about sustainability and want to connect with others in the field.
• Showing: Instead, create a project or initiative related to sustainability that showcases your passion and knowledge. Share it on your LinkedIn or website, and bring it up during conversations.

6. Giving Feedback - Show Your Support and Understanding:

• Telling: You might tell an employee their presentation was "okay."
• Showing: Provide specific feedback with examples of what worked well and what could be improved. Offer to help them refine their skills by providing resources or offering to review their work before their next presentation.

Remember, these are just examples. The key is to think about how you can demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and value in a tangible way. By showing, you build trust, create stronger relationships, and ultimately achieve your professional goals.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or you’re ready to dive deeper into these strategies, join my private mentorship group, Career Catalyst . I’m passionate about helping ambitious professionals like you achieve their career goals.

In Career Catalyst, you'll get:

• Proven Job Search Strategies: Learn how to stand out from the crowd and wow recruiters in 60 days or less.
• Personal Brand Mastery: Leverage social media and AI to build your online presence and 2x your income.
• Live Q&A with Industry Experts: Connect with top recruiters, coaches, authors, business owners, and influencers on our weekly Thursday Zoom calls.
• Tons of Customized Resources: Access our growing library of on-demand courses, templates, and tools tailored to your career growth needs.

Ready to Level Up Your LinkedIn and Your Career?

Click here to learn more about Career Catalyst and join our community of ambitious professionals. When you click on that link, you'll be taken to an About page where you can see videos and pictures showing what the inside view of the community is like.

I'm here to help you every step of the way!

-Alli