Now That You Have Graduated - How to Sell Yourself in a Competitive Landscape

You've slaved away for two, three, four, and sometimes five or more years for the degree of your dreams. There's been a light at the end of the tunnel all this time, but it's been a bit intangible - all you've focused on is to just graduate, and the rest will fall in place. Now, however, that you've got your degree wrapped-up, you may be hitting the wall that almost all graduates must find a way to scale: how do you take all this newfound knowledge and apply it to the real world? How does a graduate set themselves up for success and fulfillment in such a competitive world?

You're going to have to get comfortable with singing your own praises. Not all of us are inherently at ease with trumpeting our own successes, but it’s a crucial skill if you really want to get ahead. This doesn’t mean you should turn into a vain and arrogant me-me-me type – quite the opposite, actually. It means you should be proud of all you’ve accomplished, and you should know when it’s appropriate to speak up and say so. It’s equally critical that you communicate these successes in a humble yet confident manner. Don’t brag, but do be clear – if you were on the debate team that took a national title, make sure a potential employer is aware. And if you were the leader of this team, by all means, share the knowledge!

There’s a way to express your fantastic accomplishments without sounding boastful and snobbish. First, know your audience. If you’re at a job interview, this is absolutely your chance to inform your interviewer of all relevant successes, talents, and experience. This is precisely why they’ve asked you to speak with them – on paper, you sound fabulous. Now it’s your chance to prove that’s the bona fide truth. Show your diversity, and don’t be afraid to mention accomplishments that may not directly pertain to the job you’re interviewing for. If you’re after a job at an online development firm, but won a national competition for fine art, mention this proudly – employers tend to give high marks for diversity, and huge achievements in any arena bode well for the interviewee. Ambition in any form is an attractive trait. Arrogance and boastfulness, however, is not, so be very mindful of how you communicate, just as much as what you communicate.

Don't think the only chance to sell yourself is at structured job interviews and similar circumstances, or you’ll be selling yourself short. Build a personal web page showcasing your resume, biography, and any accomplishments you think are worth noting. Photographs always give a wonderfully personal touch to such listings, but keep a professional, polished vibe for heightened success. Carry business cards wherever you go, regardless of whether you’re working for a company that issues them. If you’re not, make a personal batch with just your name and contact information; you just never know when you’re going to bump elbows with someone who can give you the opportunity you’ve been searching for, and without a quick way to relay contact info, you might just miss the boat. Finally, when you do finally land a job interview at a place you’d truly like to work at, make sure you walk in as prepared as you possibly can be. Do research about the company and the person you’ll be interviewing with. Bring several printed copies of your resume, a portfolio of your work, if applicable, and any visuals that can help sell your future-employed on how valuable you really are. Be creative, and show initiative; these folks have likely been throw the interview process a million times, and any time a perspective employee does something to stand out in a professional manner, it's appreciated, if not the surefire way to land the gig.

No matter what, don't give in to discouragement. While it's true that today's professional world is as competitive as it's ever been, there's a world of opportunities to pursue as well. If you're able to strike the right balance of integrity, confidence, and humility in selling yourself, work hard to accomplish achievements in a variety of avenues, and aren’t shy about singing your own praises, you're setting the stage for success in whatever field you choose. Just remember - if you don't tell the world how fabulous you really are, no one else will. Except Mom, but she can always use a little help.

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