Generally speaking, we Canadians are a humble bunch.
We don’t like to talk about ourselves, and we certainly don’t brag about our achievements. In fact, many of us were taught NOT to self-promote as it often appears to others as arrogant or self-aggrandizing.
So, how do we conduct an effective job search with one arm tied behind our backs?
When it comes time to talk about ourselves in a job search situation, our skills are often lacking. It’s not every day someone asks us to “Tell us a little bit about yourself” or “Explain why you would make a great hire.” Yet, being able to accurately articulate our value is precisely the skill we need to be successful in job search.
Don’t get me wrong, we can be humble. Just not in this scenario.
One of my favourite things about my work is helping people find both the words and the confidence to speak these words out loud. When they get stuck, I can help ignite the conversation with a few subtle prompts.
- “Tell me more?”
- “How did that feel?”
- “What did you like most about that statement?”
- “What do your colleagues think/say/feel about that?”
Often, I see people more clearly than they see themselves. That’s because I’m trained to listen better than most. I pick up on subtleties and nuances. I hear what others miss.
For example:
Finance – let’s talk about budgets and accounting, of course, but what about risk management, cost controls and process improvements that streamline operations and save companies money?
Leaders – let’s talk about how you lead others, of course, but what about the size and scopes of your teams, the diversity of your teams, team culture, morale, well-being and corporate reputation, not to mention recruiting, retention and attrition statistics.
Sales – let’s talk about numbers, of course, but what about corporate profits, revenues, customer satisfaction, continuous quality improvements, relationships building, new business and alignment with corporate goals?
Registered Massage Therapist – let’s talk about your skills, techniques and certifications, of course, but let’s also talk about how you connect with clients, the value of mind/body/spirit connection and how you treat emotions held with the body.
When we talk about our favourite things and what we’re good at, it gives others permission to do the same.
I’ll do my very best to make you feel as comfortable as possible knowing that talking about yourself isn’t easy for everyone.
My favourite thing about doing this work is when people look at their new resume, LinkedIn profile or Executive profile and proclaim:
“𝗪𝗼𝘄, 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜’𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲.”
Related Categories: Client Story, Job Search, Resumes & ATS
About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.