How to Show off as a Job Seeker to Catch an Employer's Attention

Understanding how to effectively showcase your achievements can be the difference between landing your dream role or being overlooked. During a recent LinkedIn Career Talks broadcast, I discussed this topic with May Busch , founder and CEO of Career Mastery . 

You can watch our entire conversation below or by clicking here. I also tried to synthesize some of May's most important points in the paragraphs below. 

Why Self-Promotion Matters

It's essential to recognize that promoting your achievements is not just about landing a job; it's about providing organizations with a clear picture of the value you bring.

"Organizations need to know about your achievements to understand the impact you can make," says Busch. Moreover, by effectively sharing these successes, you arm your advocates with the information they need to support you, and you keep yourself motivated by acknowledging your progress.

Reframing Self-Promotion

Many of us shy away from self-promotion because we don't want to seem arrogant or boastful. However, May suggests reframing the idea in your mind: think of self-promotion as a responsibility rather than a boast. 

"It’s about helping your prospective employer make the right choice," she says. This shift in perspective can ease discomfort and help you approach the process as a necessary part of professional advancement.

Identifying and Articulating Achievements

Understanding what counts as an achievement and how to present it is key. Achievements should be framed around their impact and results rather than just the processes or tasks completed. 

"Focus on what matters to your audience," May points out. For example, stating that you "generated $X million in revenue" is more impactful than simply saying you "managed 3 direct reports."

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When promoting your achievements, avoid common mistakes such as waiting too long to share successes, focusing solely on efforts instead of outcomes, undervaluing your role in team achievements, and rambling without focus.

Effectively highlighting your achievements is not just about self-promotion; it's about ensuring that your skills and contributions are recognized and valued.

"It’s not self-serving; it’s about giving organizations the opportunity to make an informed decision about how you can contribute to their success," says May.

AI is reshaping how we think about work and careers. Navigating this new landscape can be challenging. To help you chart a path in this new environment, I sat down with Joseph Fuller from Harvard Business School on the latest episode of my weekly Get Hired podcast to explore the promises and pitfalls of AI for job seekers, the changing nature of work, and practical advice on how to stay ahead in this AI-driven era. 

You can listen to the episode above or on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. A transcript of the conversation is available by clicking here.

• Where do you start with a resume update? (By Todd Dybas) Need to update your resume? Career consultant Colleen Paulson says to add numbers. She writes on LinkedIn that those quantifiable results range from sales totals to podcast downloads. Paulson also says to "name drop" in your bullet points. Don't generalize. If you serve clients, list their bona fides to offer context. Did you work with a Fortune 500 company? Mention that. Take out your photo, street address and graduation year. Add things like continuing education and coursework. Do it all in a clean format. Click here to see more.
• What metrics should you add to your experiences? (By Todd Dybas) Metrics on your resume help define your value and grab an employer's attention. But not everyone works in a clear, numeric environment. To add quantifiable wins to your resume, career coach Jermaine L. Murray writes on LinkedIn to find places where you increased efficiency, saved the company money or managed a large workload. Murray says job seekers should note spots where they improved a ratio or achieved a high feedback score. Did you run an event with a significant engagement? Or find a faster way to complete a daily task? Add those, too. Click here to see more.