Self-Promote at Least a Little

Rule #3: Self-promote … at least a little. Self-promotion, horrible as it may sound, is a necessary skill. If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around, did it make a sound? Similarly, if you did something great, but no one knows, does it count? Some things to think about:

1. One way to self-promote without feeling cheesy is to tell a short but good war story. It’s better to be remembered as the smart counsel who saved the client with a great strategy as opposed to the awkward person with the goofy hair.
2. Show passion. When you talk about something you care about and were able to get a good result for your client, you will come across as authentic. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about something bigger than yourself  — and where you happen to be a zealous advocate.
3. To identify what you should be promoting about yourself, recognize your goals. Is it to get on a specific project, land a particular client, get a sponsor, change employers, or change industries? Then put yourself in the shoes of someone evaluating you on these goals. What skill would that person deem necessary? Get that experience, and then be able to articulate it (humbly! in an interesting way!) to the right audience.
4. For those who object to any kind of self-promotion, just be able to live with the consequences. You might get overlooked for that plum project or skimped on pay.