It’s been said that the meek will inherit the Earth.  But until then, they’ll have a tough time finding work.

On the other end of the spectrum, braggarts come off as boorish.  But if they don’t toot their own horn, nobody else will either.

Most of us have heard about jobseekers who have gone to one extreme or the other.  One of my clients, in fact, overtly stated that she lies on her resume because everybody else does.  She felt the need to go over the top to pump herself up.  She’s not the only one - others take liberties on their resumes in singing their own praises.  Many of my clients have been “programmed” to not boast, and as a result, understate – thus undersell – themselves.

It’s a balancing act.  After all, how does one show pride without going too far?

Honesty.  Unlike my client who was only honest about lying, most jobseekers try to write the truth.  There are ways to be honest and put your accomplishments in the best possible light.  Take, for example, two different ways a maintenance professional could state the same thing:

“Swept glass shards.”

VS

“Maintained cleanliness of facility in compliance of company and regulatory guidelines, thereby contributing to safety of designated area.”

Be able to back it up.  Someone once said that it’s not bragging if it’s true.  No place is this more true than on resumes.  If, on your resume, you say that you saved your last employer 25% in production costs, then you should have some documentation to back that fact up. 

Safety.  You may err on the side of caution (and mindset) by downplaying what you’ve done.  If you willfully decide to “play it safe” by underselling yourself, you will get fewer interviews.  On the plus side, if you fully explain these undersold accomplishments when you’re interviewing, you may be looked upon as humble, which is good; on the downside, employers may assume you don’t know how much you’re actually worth and try to talk your asking price down.

The only safe approach.  Remember that as long as you’re honest, it’s not bragging.  Your competitors won’t talk you up.  Hey – they’re trying to get the same job you are!  Be accurate and honest.

IN THE CARAVAN: Accurate honesty, combined proper wording, is the best way to balance between bragging and bashful.

NEXT MONDAY: Euphemistically Writing

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