Own Your Greatness

First off, a moment to celebrate. This month I'm celebrating one year of The Incredible You Newsletter - woohoo! 🎉 Thank you so much for being here and engaging - it's been fun to share my thoughts on these topics.

Okay, on to the juicy stuff. These first few months of the new year are a busy time for job interviews! Many companies pause hiring during the holidays but ramp up again in January. If you’re getting calls to interview—congrats! Let’s talk about one of the biggest challenges I've seen people (including myself) face... selling yourself! 

Have you ever answered an interview question with “we did...”, "we accomplished..."? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Obviously teamwork is important, but an interview is about showcasing your contributions. Here are some of the reasons we hold back from truly promoting ourselves:

⭐ Fear of appearing arrogant or braggy: Many people shy away from discussing their accomplishments because they worry about “tooting their own horn”.

⭐ Lack of clarity about impact: It’s common to underestimate or forget the tangible outcomes of our work, especially if we haven’t reflected on our achievements in detail.

⭐ Nerves and self-doubt: Stress can lead to second-guessing or downplaying your qualifications.

⭐ Team-focused mindset: Saying “we” instead of “I” is a habit for team players; however, it can dilute your individual contributions that hiring managers are looking for in interviews.

⭐ Unpreparedness: Without practice or clear examples ready to share, it’s easy to stumble or miss opportunities to highlight key strengths.

Here’s the thing - job interviews are the perfect opportunity to own your greatness. 

So, let's step into your worth with confidence! Here are some suggestions:

• Reframe self-promotion as sharing facts: Many of us hesitate to “brag,” but remember - interviews aren’t about showing off—they’re about telling the truth. You’re not inflating your contributions; you’re providing an accurate representation of your skills and impact. Employers need to know what you’re capable of, in order to see how you’ll add value to their organization. Think of it as educating them about your strengths, not boasting. The more you align with your value, the more authentically and powerfully you’ll show up in interviews. You’re not “bragging”—you’re shining. 🌠 And that’s exactly what employers want to see.

  
  

• Reflect on your individual achievements: Think about specific projects or tasks where you made a difference. What unique ideas, skills, or actions did you contribute? If you find yourself saying “we,” pause and ask yourself, “What was my role in this success?” Own it! For example, instead of saying, “We launched a new process,” say, “I designed and implemented a new process that streamlined operations by 20%.”

  
  

• Practice describing your impact: It’s one thing to know your accomplishments—it’s another to articulate them confidently. Use action-oriented language like “led,” “created,” “increased,” or “solved.” Quantify whenever possible to make your contributions clear and compelling. For example, instead of “I worked on the marketing campaign,” say, “I managed a social media campaign that grew engagement by 35% in three months.” Practicing with a coach or trusted friend can make a huge difference!

Even if you aren’t actively engaged in a job search, keep this email handy for when the time comes. And if you know someone who is in the midst of a job search, please share this email with them!