Writing good things about yourself involves being honest, specific, and focusing on your strengths and accomplishments in a way that resonates with your audience. It's about highlighting your value proposition in a genuine and relatable manner.
Understanding the Purpose
First, consider why you're writing about yourself. Are you crafting a resume, writing a personal statement for college, or updating your LinkedIn profile? The purpose dictates the tone and content.
Honesty and Authenticity
Avoid exaggeration or fabrication. Authenticity is key to building trust and credibility. Focus on real achievements and qualities.
Key Strategies for Writing Good Things About Yourself:
- Be Specific: Instead of saying "I'm a hard worker," say "I consistently exceeded project deadlines while maintaining high-quality output, as demonstrated by the successful completion of Project X, which was delivered two weeks ahead of schedule."
- Use Action Verbs: Start sentences with strong action verbs to showcase your skills and accomplishments (e.g., "Managed," "Developed," "Led," "Implemented," "Achieved").
- Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example: "Increased sales by 15% in Q3 2023."
- Focus on Results: Highlight the positive outcomes of your efforts. What did you accomplish? How did you make a difference?
- Tailor to Your Audience: Consider who will be reading your writing and what they are looking for. Customize your language and focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to them.
- Use Examples: Back up your claims with specific examples from your past experiences. This provides concrete evidence of your abilities.
- Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of simply stating qualities, describe situations or actions that demonstrate those qualities. For example, instead of saying "I am a good leader," describe a time you successfully led a team through a challenging project.
- Highlight Your Strengths: Focus on your unique skills, talents, and accomplishments. What makes you stand out from the crowd?
- Proofread Carefully: Errors in grammar and spelling can undermine your credibility. Proofread your writing carefully before submitting it. Consider asking someone else to review it as well.
- Stay Positive: Even when discussing challenges, maintain a positive and optimistic tone. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.
- Consider "Following Your Heart": As noted in the reference, if you genuinely enjoy something you've done, that passion will shine through in your writing, making it more compelling.
- Believing in Yourself: Self-confidence is important. If you don't believe you've done good things, it will be hard to convince anyone else.
- Living by High Standards: If you have a track record of excellence, this will naturally be reflected in your writing.
Example Scenarios
Here are some examples to illustrate how to write good things about yourself in different contexts:
- Resume/CV: "Led a team of five engineers in the development of a new software feature that increased user engagement by 20% within the first month of launch."
- Personal Statement: "Volunteering at the local soup kitchen for the past three years has taught me the importance of empathy and community service. Witnessing the resilience of individuals facing hardship has inspired me to pursue a career in social work."
- LinkedIn Profile: "A results-oriented marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving growth for SaaS companies. Proven ability to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns that generate leads and increase brand awareness."
Avoiding Arrogance
While it's important to highlight your achievements, avoid sounding arrogant or boastful. Focus on the facts and let your accomplishments speak for themselves. Use humble language where appropriate.
Summary
Writing effectively about yourself requires honesty, specificity, and a focus on your strengths and accomplishments. By using action verbs, quantifying your achievements, and providing concrete examples, you can showcase your value proposition in a compelling and relatable way. Remember to tailor your writing to your audience and proofread carefully to avoid errors.
