Skip to main content

Humble Bragging - the new false modesty...

Having met many perfectionists in my years of interviewing, I loved the Harvard Business Review article on Humblebragging.
So did everybody I shared it with.
Of course, when you get asked what your strengths and weaknesses are, everybody wants to present themselves in the best light, so humblebragging seems a subtle way of doing this.
Unfortunately, HR people have heard it all before, so they are very much aware of the difference between highlighting your strengths and false modesty.
True Story
Don “I am a little controlling, and somewhat of a perfectionist, which I realised was disempowering my staff, so I worked very hard at delegating.  I was so successful that I have delegated my way out of a job, which is why I am now looking for new opportunities”
When you are actively looking for work, how do you shine a light on your skills and accomplishments in a way that the interviewer finds appealing?
Self awareness is not a trait a lot of people have.   We all believe we do, but it’s a tough one to accomplish.
It helps in an interview situation, though.
Share a genuine weakness.
“I find it difficult to prioritise, so I have devised all sorts of fun and effective ways to ensure that I get through the urgent work as well as the stuff I really like doing.”  
Much more difficult to share strengths and not sound like you are bragging or, heaven forbid, humblebragging.
How about?
I have had some great mentors and they have taught me to recognise what I do well.  I am good in a pressure situation, able to assess the key issues quickly, and construct workable plans quickly.
or
My current manager has told me that he really likes the way I handle myself in conflict situations, and his input has helped me to gain skills in this area.
This kind of feedback is clear in terms of the strengths, but also shares the responsibility for the strength.
It can easily fall into humblebragging in the wrong hands, though.
So have some fun with family and friends, practice with them, or in front of a mirror.   Ask for honest feedback as to whether you are coming over as capable or as a humblebragger.  Then practice some more….

Links, References and Notes
http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/first-impressions-interview-techniques-teryl-schroenn/edit?trk=mp-author-edit
Note


Thank you for reading Teryl@Work.   Should you wish to use any of the material, please acknowledge this blog as the source.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Its all about the numbers - retirement age

Weight, height, age, dress size, shoe size, all numbers that we (and the media) use to define people. I was fascinated by an article from the Leicester Mercury where the age of each witness to a bus crash in January were carefully listed. Sue Kellett, 56, whose front garden is bordered by the wall, was one of the first at the scene. Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Bus-driver-airlifted-hospital-collision-tractor/story-20512289-detail/story.html#ixzz31lXUuyZg Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Bus-driver-airlifted-hospital-collision-tractor/story-20512289-detail/story.html#9cHShVptF30lJw4X.99 Sue Kellett, 56, whose front garden is bordered by the wall, was one of the first at the scene. Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Bus-driver-airlifted-hospital-collision-tractor/story-20512289-detail/story.html#ixzz31lXUuyZg Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Bus-driver-airlifted-hospital-collision-tractor/story-20512289-detail/story.htm...
Post a Comment
Read more

Flexibility in the workplace

Is flexibility now a reality in the workplace?   And is it really working?   The assumption of control over one’s own time and deliverables does look like a great way to work and live, and it seems to be is a high priority for those entering the business world. Decision makers in business, along with HR managers and recruitment consultants, are very much aware that both current employers and new recruits are looking for guidance and ideas as how to achieve work/life balance. It is accepted that this balance has to form part of the workplace. Yes people still need to prove themselves, initiative is still expected, hard work and commitment are still viewed as non-negotiable – but the dynamics of employer/ employee relationship has changed. And it is innovation in ICT that has paved the way. The advantages of a mobile workforce can include an increase in productivity, lower total cost of ownership and a wider, more direct reach to the market. In ess...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sales - Setting Targets

Are your salespeople included in setting targets?   Very few are.  Sales targets are based on previous individual performance, sales division performance and budget requirements.   In some companies everybody gets the same target, regardless of abilities or previous successes, while in others it is an enormously complex beast with all sorts of criteria used. While the business requirements have to be met, it is important to discuss and collaborate with the salespeople themselves. Sales is a game, and each time you play a game, you should want to do better.   If you are not competitive by nature, sales can be a very tough career.  It is, anyway. More and more, sales management is about coaching, not managing, so it really important for sales managers to understand how coaching works.  There are great courses out there which guide sales managers through the coaching methodology. A simple, but structured approach to target setting with lots of commun...
Post a Comment
Read more