How to Showcase Strengths in Interviews

People often ask me: “How do I talk about myself confidently in interviews or at events without bragging?” This is STILL hard for me. But I have a few tricks: 1. Ask a friend for help Ask a friend or colleague their 3 to 5 favorite traits about you. Tag them below if you want to use this post as a reason to reach out! Sometimes, it’s hard to see our own strengths. — 2. Harvest stories that show those traits Don’t just say “I’m detail-oriented.” Instead, say: “In my last role, I managed a complex, multi-phase project where tracking every detail mattered. I created a system that helped the team stay on schedule—and we launched early.” — 3. Use the ‘Problem → Hard Work → Outcome’ framework When you tell stories about your traits, structure them like this:  • What was the challenge? • What did you do about it? • What was the result? This gives people a full narrative arc, and helps them visualize you solving problems and delivering results. — 4. Let others brag for you If talking about yourself feels awkward, borrow someone else’s words. Example: “My last manager used to say I was the most organized person she’d worked with. That’s why I was often assigned to high-stakes projects.” Testimonials and quotes add credibility, and make it easier to sound proud, not boastful. — 5. Practice out loud Writing your story is one thing. Saying it confidently is another. So, say it out loud like you’re chatting with a friend. Smooth out the rough parts and make it sound like you. If you hold back from presenting your best self, just to avoid sounding like you're bragging, you might end up missing real opportunities. So, get comfortable sharing your strengths. Practice telling your story. And remember: confidence isn’t bragging when it’s backed by truth.

Want a new job? STOP talking like it. Top performers speak like solution providers. After 20 years as a hiring manager and now as a coach, I've noticed clear patterns in how successful candidates communicate. Here are 5 power phrases that transform interviews into offers: "I'm curious how this role supports [recent product launch/company news]." ↳ This immediately positions you as someone who's invested beyond the job description. You're connecting your potential role to the company's high-level priorities. "You mentioned [specific problem]. In my previous role, we faced a similar challenge - here's exactly how we measured success..." ↳ Notice how this focuses on the measurement framework, not just actions. Hiring managers want people who know how to define and track success. "Could you walk me through how decisions get made on this team?" ↳ This one question reveals more about the real working environment than hours of standard interview exchanges. It also shows you care about process and culture. "I've prepared some ideas on how I'd approach [specific challenge they mentioned]. Would it be helpful to discuss them?" ↳ Most candidates are reactive. This positions you as proactive and prepared, demonstrating how you'd actually work on their team. "The aspect of this role that most excites me is [specific responsibility], because that's where I've consistently delivered the strongest results." ↳ This aligns your strengths directly with their needs, creating a perfect match in the interviewer's mind. The difference between good candidates and exceptional ones isn't just experience. It's how they frame that experience as a solution to the company's specific challenges. Your interview is your first work product. Make it reflect how you'll perform in the job.

Unfortunately, many job seekers aren’t comfortable with self-promotion because they equate it with bragging. Or they don’t do it because they lack confidence or certainty in their value as a candidate. I’ve spoken to thousands of job seekers who underestimate their skills and accomplishments. The problem is that we are passed over for great opportunities and higher earnings when we don't share them. Employers can't guess or assume your abilities; you must make them clear and compelling. Self-promotion is a powerful tool for career advancement when done authentically and effectively. Here are 5 ways to draw attention to your qualifications and skills without sounding arrogant. 1. Quantify Achievements: Show the impact of your leadership by quantifying your achievements. Did you increase revenue or reduce costs? By how much? Did you lead a team? How big was it and what were the results of your team's work? Use concrete numbers where possible to illustrate your effectiveness. 2. Highlight Leadership and Strategic Skills: As an executive, it's important to demonstrate not only your ability to manage, but also to lead and strategize. Highlight experiences where you've set strategy, guided teams through change, or demonstrated thought leadership. 3. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each application, highlighting the most relevant experiences and accomplishments. 4. Use Action Verbs and Power Words: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb like "led," "spearheaded," "orchestrated," etc. This helps create a powerful image of you as a proactive leader. 5. Showcase Your Executive Presence: Executive presence is a blend of temperament, competencies, and skills that send all the right signals. Show instances where you've had to make tough decisions, guide a team, or navigate a company through challenging times. If you found these tips helpful save this post and reshare with your network to help others. #LinkedInTopVoices #Careers #PersonalBranding

✅ Tip 1 How to confidently tell your interview stories with humility. My client, a director at a global high-tech company, and I worked on interview prep this week. Story after story, she glossed over how she had to present a business case to win the time and financial resources for the multiple projects she and her team were working on. These complex stories involved deep market analysis, collating the insights, and then presenting them to the executive team for buy-off. And then ... she and her team won. They created products and services that make a difference for millions and millions of business owners. Flip the script! Focus on *both* 'I' and 'We' 🔦 . On one hand, you strip away your power when you do not explain what *you* led. On the other hand, you fear you will come across as a braggart if you say 'I' too much. Balance the two words - 'I' and 'We.' What did you lead? How? What were the challenging conditions? Then, talk about "we accomplished" and "the team achieved X results" while subtly including your role in leading or driving that success. You can show you are a humble leader who lifts and showcases other people's work without diminishing the hoops you had to jump through to achieve those amazing results. Do you struggle with sharing your success stories? #jobs #careers