How to Sell Yourself Without Feeling Sleazy
When you hear the words "sell yourself," do you instantly picture yourself in a plaid suit being loud and pushy? That's the bad rap of "selling." But, it doesn't need to be that way. You can sell yourself without feeling sleazy. Here's how:
1. Accept your strengths.
You're great. It's time to accept it. Seriously. If you start to accept your strengths, talking about them takes away a large part of the sleaze factor. Remember: You're your best advocate!
2. Track your accomplishments.
You may not be looking for a new job or a promotion or new business right now, but you never know when you might be. Instead of trying to recall all of your accomplishments in one sitting (you're bound to miss a few things!), keep track of every accomplishment as it happens. (It's also great to pull out this list when you're feeling down just as a reminder of how awesome you really are.)
Find a way to track accomplishments that fits you and your lifestyle. It could be a simple notepad you keep in your top drawer, an Excel document, or your favorite iPhone app. The important thing is to know what you've accomplished so you can start selling yourself.
3. Let everyone know how great you are - in a way you're comfortable with.
Before you start picturing that plaid suit coat again, think about how you can sell yourself in a way that you're comfortable with. For small business owners, this might be through well written Web content; for young professionals, this might be through a portfolio showcasing your best work; for job seekers, this might be through a new suit and confident attitude. When it comes to selling yourself, there's no need to overdo it. Small actions - casually mentioning your latest project to your boss or perfecting that elevator pitch about your company - make a big impression.
4. Walk the talk.
One of the best ways to sell yourself is to prove that you're as great you say you are. Once you land the account, the job, or the promotion, it's time walk the talk. Keep playing up your strengths, making improvements, and sharing your accomplishments. Pretty soon it won't feel like selling at all.
More from this Topic
-
The Effective Executive Assistant (PDF)
The Effective Executive Assistant: A Guide to Creating Long-Term Career Success
- Are you considering a career as an Executive Assistant or Administrative Professional?
- Are you a struggling EA or AP looking for guidance?
- Are you an EA or AP who is wondering what the future career options are?
- Are you looking for resources to help you become a more effective, valuable professional?
Congratulations - You've come to the right place! Veteran and novice Executive Assistants and Administrative Professionals alike will benefit from The Effective Executive Assistant e-book.
The Effective Executive Assistant is a 50-page manual full of in-depth advice, web-links, recommended reading lists, and worksheets to help any professional on the road to long-term career success. I have used my training, experience, education and extensive research to create a system that will help anyone develop the career they want and deserve as an EA.
You'll learn how to:
- Prioritize tasks more effectively
- Create systems and routines to boost your productivity
- Develop your communication skills
- Improve your working relationships
- Project an image of confidence and success
- Build your professional network
Those who are more ‘visual learners' will find lots of graphs and diagrams to illustrate the points being made.
If you've never purchased an e-book before, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to do. There are several added benefits of reading an e-book such as the linked Table of Contents (just click on the name of the section you want to go to and it takes you there) and, of course, the fact that you are saving paper by reading it on the screen. You can always print it if you want, but it is specifically designed to be read on the computer.
This e-book contains 100% original material not found anywhere else.
- Learn the necessary skills to become an Effective Executive Assistant
- Explore the unique challenges and rewards of the EA position (and how to use them to your advantage)
- Investigate the various career paths of an EA
- Learn how to develop a strong foundation for success
- Discover the steps to take towards building a solid, long-term career
- Also includes over 100 web-links to useful resources and recommended reading.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Defining the Effective Executive Assistant
1.1 Core Competencies
1.2 Types of Executive Assistants
1.3 The Career Path of an EEA
-Sample Resume 1
-Sample Resume 2Part 2: Exploring the Position
2.1 Unique Challenges
2.2 Unique Rewards
2.3 Dispelling the Myths of Executive Assistants
Part 3: Creating Success
3.1 Laying the Foundation
3.2 Building a Solid Structure
3.3 Long Term Care and Maintenance
Part 4: EA Resource Guide
4.1 Web Resources
4.2 Consolidated Recommended Reading List
4.3 Worksheets
-SMART Goal Setting Worksheet
-Task Management Worksheet
-How to Map a Project
1 response to How to Sell Yourself Without Feeling Sleazy
Jodith My Website Oct 24, 2009 7:08:40 PM
Good article. Selling myself is one of the hardest things for me. I was raised in the old days where it was considered unladylike, and being from the south, I was raised to be ladylike at all costs *laughs*. I like the idea of tracking your accomplishments as they happen. I should go start my list now.
Share your thoughts!
You are currently a guest and may comment or reply to any conversation by filling in the information below. If you'd like to enjoy all that OfficeArrow has to offer login or create an account.