We were on the bus when Mum asked THE question.
“So, are you interested in any boys at school?”
My teenage eye roll almost shook our bus seats. Mum had no idea. No boys would be interested in me because I WORE GLASSES.
But my eye roll didn’t deter her and she went on to reassure me,
“It was the same when I was your age – the boys you like never like you back and the ones who do like you, you don’t like.”
Thank goodness I didn’t say what I was thinking – Are you not listening? Glasses. No boy interested. Ever.
But looking back, I can see Mum was right.
There were boys who liked me and why wouldn’t they? They (and Mum) could see what I had going for me. It was just me who couldn’t.
Could you see what you had going for you at fifteen? What about now?
Why can we not see ourselves as others do?
It’s easier to look back and see what we had going for us in the past than it is to recognise them now. Hindsight is that wonderful thing.
This issue came up for me as I was rewriting my resume as part of applying for a couple of mentorship programs.
It was agonising.
Because, just like at fifteen, I am blind when it comes to seeing myself in the best light, to seeing myself as other see me. I never know what to write to show the best of what I’ve done and what I can do.
Fortunately these days, unlike at fifteen, I’m listening to others (sorry Mum – you were right all along).
See yourself as others do by asking them.
I showed my underwhelming one-page draft resume to a former colleague, and she pointed out all the ways I was selling myself short.
The final version was a lot better because of her suggestions.
We imagine – catastrophise even – that others are seeing our flaws. But really, they are worried we are seeing their flaws. Really, most people are better than us at seeing us in a positive light.
That’s why the best writing – especially your resume – takes collaboration.
Collect eveything nice that people have ever said about you, about what you know or what you sell. Keep it in one place. Use it as a guide for the strengths you have. Jot down your memory of times when you did a good job and keep that handy. These are all good references when you are questioning yourself, Just what is it that I do well?
Can you use some help?
I don’t work on resumes but I do have a good eye for where you might be seeling yourself short in your content. Blogs, articles, email newsletters. Are they really showing the best of you?
If you’d like help, get in touch to work out how I could be a collaborator in showcasing you. Just like my friend did for me.
Email sherene@sherenestrahan.com ~ Create great content. Get known for what you know.
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