Imagine that you are at a conference, mingling at a reception after a busy day.
A stranger approaches you, offering a hand to shake.
You smile at each other and introduce yourselves. After a few moments of small talk, your new colleague moves on, announcing as she goes, “I’ll be sure to follow up with you about our conversation. And you can trust me. I’m very honest.”
Do you believe him or her? Or are you put off?
When writing a resume or cover letter, applicants are tempted to tell a potential employer that they are solid people. “Team player,” a candidate will write on a resume, or “I am a people person whose strength lies in collaboration.”
You can tell an employer these things, but it’s better if you can show it instead through a proven track record. Show people that you are fabulous with your hard work and outstanding results. Don’t tell them a thing.
So instead of assuring an employer that you are a team player by saying so, you can demonstrate that you are by writing, “For six months, led proposal team of twelve technical and support staff in five regional offices to win bid for $40 million educational reform program in Jordan; serving as project manager responsible for overall 5-year program implementation.”
That will impress people, and they will be able to see that you are a good communicator, team player, multitasker, and good at working with diverse people — all in one bullet point.
Remember: Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
Show, don’t tell.
You will impress others when you do.
