The longer you’ve been in the game, the longer your CV becomes. Before you know it, it’s five pages long, filled with endless bullet points and descriptions of all your jobs and accomplishments. Not very inspiring for the recipient, and you’re likely not doing yourself justice either. It’s quite an art to present yourself concisely and powerfully, especially in a time when clichés and jargon are everywhere. Let’s take a look at what does work and how we can help.

self-awareness: your authentic self

Truly knowing yourself and being able to articulate this in the right words aligns with a growing need for authenticity and individuality. In her book Dare to Lead, Brené Brown says that being aware of your values is crucial for courageous and authentic leadership. We all admire people who know what they stand for and what their core values are. These are the people who stand out. Values are not only about what we believe but also about what we do. Talk the talk, walk the walk. Others know what they can expect from you, and (just as importantly), what not to call you for. See how far you get with your core values. What is truly essential to you? What defines you? About ten core values should get you pretty far.

show your true colors

Create a unique value proposition that describes who you are in just a few sentences. State what you bring to the table, what your values are, and which problems you solve.
Revealing your true colors is essential for this. It requires emotional maturity, some level of self-reflection, and once again, the ability to choose the right words. It’s not about presenting yourself as the greatest leader the world has ever seen, but about who you are as a person and the unique qualities you offer. Avoid hollow phrases and clichés.

make choices

It’s great if you’ve developed broadly throughout your career, but this can also make your profile difficult to grasp or make it seem like you’ve never truly committed to anything. You can resolve this by explaining why you made certain career moves. If you love starting new things and tackling uncharted territory, this is likely an important driver for you. So, make sure to mention it. Even if some of your career steps were less intentional, look for a common thread—they’re definitely there. This way, you avoid being seen as a Jack of all trades or a vague generalist. Then, dare to make radical choices. Choose up to four, but preferably three, areas of expertise and make them the core of your story.

kill your darlings

Now, take an even more critical look at your current CV. If it’s longer than four pages, cut it by half. Kill your darlings, as they say. Often, these are the things you’re most proud of or most emotionally attached to. But from someone else’s perspective, these are not always the best highlights. If this is difficult for you, getting an open-minded second opinion can help a lot.

personal branding and self-promotion

Now you know your values, you have a unique and personal story, and you’ve reduced your CV to a maximum of two pages. It’s time to promote your Personal Brand. For some, this is a piece of cake; for others, it can feel uncomfortable. Ensure that your online profiles, such as LinkedIn, are up to date and consistently tell your professional story. Again, it’s important that this remains authentic. Establish yourself as a thought leader. Share your vision, write posts about your field, and join interesting discussions. When doing this, find the right tone of voice and consider how strongly you express your opinions on certain topics. Having too strong of an opinion on certain issues can be off-putting.

Would you like to brainstorm about your own positioning or get an honest, sharp critique of your profile? Feel free to contact us at info@brandpit.nl.

Are you second-guessing your career and considering switching? Read Carolien’s blog about changing tack. 

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