The Art of Self-Introduction: Striking the Perfect Balance
When it comes to talking about ourselves, things can be….awkward.
Unnatural. Uncomfortable at best.
It can feel like threading a needle.
You don’t want to be too humble - you’re talking about yourself for a reason and want to make a good impression. And you don’t want to come across as arrogant or like you are bragging.
You are looking for the sweet spot:
Expertise paired with adaptability.
Humility complemented by confidence.
Authenticity coupled with credibility.
Insightfulness that resonates with relatability.
This is a lot to ask from a quick intro or bio.
A few simple sentences that convey all the most important things about you. Or the elevator pitch where you get 30 seconds to impart something memorable.
Sometimes it helps to bring in an outside party who can see the forest through the trees and help you strike that balance.
What I’ve learned while helping people find their career stories:
You don’t have to cover your entire background and can focus instead on selected pivotal moments.
The underlying key points (values, passions, purposes) tend to stay the same.
What makes you unique today, will still be the things that make you stand out in your next role.
Most people feel uncomfortable when they have to put the best parts of themselves on a page. But when you ask if it is true, they agree that it is.
Bringing in an impartial third party to uncover your themes can help you get unstuck.
Sound like what you need? Check out our career story offers, we’d love to help.