How to Talk About Your Strengths Without Sounding Arrogant

How do you brag without really bragging?

Someone asked me this the other week during my workshop at my alma mater.

While many of the people in the audience were still in their undergraduate studies, I was reminded that this is an important question for people regardless of the stage they’re in for their career.

There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, especially when you find yourself in a situation where you need to discuss your strengths. Landing that dream job or promotion, or even rocking that performance review discussion often requires you to articulate your skills and accomplishments confidently.

Although you know you have to talk yourself up, how can you prepare for that without appearing like someone who is totally self-absorbed? When coming up with your strengths, here are three things to consider as you finetune your list:

1. Consider what you do really well. You’ll need to take a genuine look at what you’d list among your strengths. While some will easily know which qualities align with their strengths, others may not.? If you find yourself struggling to identify areas where you stand out, a good place to start is reflecting on past projects or experiences. Think about what you contributed that led to their success, or, if others gave you positive feedback for the contributions or perspective you've given. Perhaps a professor commended your attention to detail, or a colleague highlighted your exceptional problem-solving skills. These positive comments are pieces of the puzzle that make up your unique strengths.
2. Don’t forget the power of soft skills. Though it’s easy to point to your expertise as it relates to your mastery of ‘things’ like a software program, or that you are able to grasp complex topics quickly, consider your abilities as they relate to the softer side of things, including those around emotional intelligence, communication, interpersonal skills and other related attributes.
3. Still stuck? If you’re still not sure what you’d list as a strength, take a closer look at what you enjoy doing. Though a hobby or similar activity may not translate to what you do best, it can give a hint around what you willingly give energy and attention to, likely without having to be prompted or feeling like it’s an obligation. Talking about what you genuinely enjoy can help you get closer in striking a balance between confidence and humility. When you discuss something you're passionate about, your enthusiasm naturally shines through, which can be engaging and authentic to others.

Once you've identified your strengths, it's time to put them into context.? Tell a story of a situation where you've showcased these skills by considering the following:?

• Prepare examples using your favorite interview technique where the strength was put into action. For example, if one of your strengths is problem-solving, you could discuss a project where your innovative solution saved the day.? This example not only highlights your strength but also provides a context that legitimizes your claim.
• Draw inspiration from the feedback others have given.? It can also be helpful to hear how others see you, including what they think when you are at your best. Hearing their comments can be useful as it provides outside perspectives on your strengths.
• Consider turning to performance reviews or behavioral assessments or insights. ??Engaging with resources like DISC or the Standout Assessment, for instance, can round out your understanding of your strengths, giving you a more comprehensive view. As you’ve prepared your examples that illustrate your strengths, you’ll want to take the time to rehearse your answers as a final step – after all, practice makes perfect.?

While you might have the story of your strengths all mapped out,?being comfortable talking about your expertise is a whole other experience.

Consider speaking out your answers with a trusted colleague or mentor, or with a career coach, as they conduct a mock interview.

Ask for their insights around the effectiveness of the strengths you’ve chosen, along with their impression of how natural and supportive your examples are. ?

In addition to meeting with another person, you can also benefit from a variety of tools that allow for self-directed practice.? LinkedIn has helpful interview tools as part of their Premium membership subscription, including resources that allow you to record your practiced responses to questions, along with an interview guide.?

Remember, being able to speak confidently about your strengths is not about boasting—it's about self-advocacy. Embrace your uniqueness and let your achievements speak for themselves. When done correctly, you are not bragging; you are simply stating facts. And there's nothing arrogant about that!

What strategies have you found to be successful when you talk about your strengths? I'd love to know! Please comment below.