Shamefree Self-Promotion

I have a begrudging admiration for people who can self-promote with real panache.

I mean, how's this for audacious ...

There's a shop on Apex Corner in Edgware, North London, that my daughter and I drive by every few months on our journey to and from her uni.

Like last Monday.

As we approached the, ahem, somewhat grotty roundabout and the bright blue frontage hoved into view, our regular admiring cry went up - "it's the suit shop ... look, look, the SUIT shop!"

Eurosuits specialises in "Regular and Big Size Menswear".

But it's the tagline above the door that gets us every time.

Because this is no ordinary suit shop. Oh no.

There's a reason Eurosuits is called Eurosuits.

Here, on an unassuming street next door to Ladbrokes, is where you will find "The Finest Suits in Europe".?Take a look.

Now, it's hardly Milan ... but the Google reviews are mostly decent and it's apparently been going since 1977. So they must be doing something right.

But "the finest suits in Europe"?

I think they might be - in the words of my daughter (by now chuckling in the passenger seat) - "reaching".

Good luck to them I say. Because couldn't we all do with some Eurosuits-level braggadocio when it comes to talking about ourselves?

Whether it's networking opportunities, interviews, CVs, LinkedIn profiles or finding new clients or collaborators, we really need to say what we're great at.

Except most of us don't want to go full Eurosuits.

Modesty (and probably reality) forbids.

So how do we square the circle of needing to highlight our achievements without coming over all Donald "very stable genius" Trump? ??

Here are 5 ways to talk about what you're great at when you're worried about sounding like a d*ck.

1?? Experiment with your language

If claiming "I'm great at ... " or "I'm a fantastic ..." brings you out in a prickly sweat, try some of these instead:

"What I bring to a project is ..."

"The value I add is ..."

"My background means I can ..."

"Where I can really contribute is ..."

This makes your statements less about you and more about the difference you make to the team/project/business. Far more compelling to people thinking about taking you on.

2?? Start with passion not promotion

Rather than lead straight with your skills, blend them with a welcome dose of drive and purpose.

"I love to be involved in ... where I can draw on my experience in ..."

"The work that really excites me is ... because it allows me to use xyz skills"

"I'm particularly attracted to ... because it plays to my strengths of ..."

Doing this showcases your energy and passion, as well as your abilities.

3?? Show don't tell

We can all say we're "a highly experienced wotnot" or have "an excellent track-record in thingummydoodah".

Prove it. Share evidence of what you've done and the results you achieved. .

"I increased our revenue by 15% and brought in 3 major new clients over the course of the year"

Talking in concrete terms about what you've done isn't bragging. It's fact. Altogether less squirmy.

4?? Talk about how others describe you

Don't like to say it yourself? Use other people's words instead.

"In my recent performance review, my colleagues highlighted ..."

"My clients always tell me I'm ..."

"My boss/colleagues/family would say I'm ..."

5?? Have a friend do the showboating for you

I've recently had the good fortune of a few friends and colleagues making introductions for me. Wowsers, do they sell me 10x better than I would do myself!

Whether by email, in person at an event, or through a LinkedIn recommendation or website testimonial, having someone do the honours for you really helps.

"Let me introduce you to Sally - she's a fantastic brand marketer, who's worked for over 10 years with high street names in the fashion industry ..."

"I'm emailing to connect you to Sam, who I think would be a fantastic fit for the consultancy work you mentioned and is also a lovely human being. He's done similar projects for ABC companies and the last person I recommended him to still says they owe me one!"

Of course, if you aren't super clear on your strengths and skills, most of these techniques aren't going to work for you.

So if you want 5 juicy skill-identifying exercises, my book "The Career Change Guide: Five Steps to Finding Your Dream Job" has your name written all over it.

Do let me know if you experiment with my suggestions, but especially if you decide to do a spot of suit shopping in a lesser-known corner of North London.

The finest suits in Europe? I really do need to know.

Stay curious,

Rachel

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