Does the thought of engaging self-promotion send shivers down your spine? We all know people that could sell ice to Eskimos and we either marvel at their confidence or are nauseated by their overconfidence. But the good news is that real self-promotion doesn't have to be shifty nor in your face. The other news is (which should not be a surprise!) is that if you want to get ahead in your career you have to self-promote. Sure some people seem to be naturals when it comes to self-promotion but we are all capable of it, we just need to practice and switch from thinking that to self-promote is to display arrogance. Sure, no doubt you have your reasons as to why you shy away from engaging in self promotion, but are you confusing modesty with self-protection?

Characteristics of self-promoters

Successful self-promoters have many attributes but some of the main ones relevant to career management include;

Focus: Self-promoters are focused and clear on what they want and know where to target their efforts. They understand the employment market and economic climate and factor these into their career goals. They know that there is no greater turn off to employers and recruiters than jobseekers that are desperate and have an "I'll take anything" approach.

Confidently talk about their product offering: Self-promoters know their product intimately, what skills and attributes they have, and can articulate how they can add value. They understand their career achievements (highlighted in their resume) separates them from the competition and can confidently talk about what they have achieved at interview and when networking.

Maintain relationships: Self-promoters understand that maintaining relationships is vital to their careers. Just because they have had knock-backs from interviewers doesn't mean the door is closed to them in the future. Everyone they meet is a potential ally and useful source of market intelligence and they recognise networking is socialising is networking!

Have a high level of employability skills: Job specific skills are a prerequisite for most jobs, but the self-promoter maintains their employability by focusing on their soft skills, understanding that these are highly sought after by employers and recruiters. They build their communication skills through their networking efforts and engage in life long learning through their professional development activities.

Positive outlook and genuine interest in others: Sometimes self-promoters are perceived as phony, but true self-promoters show a genuine interest in others and their needs and are eager to learn from others. They tend to have a positive attitude and work hard at surrounding themselves with other like minded people and creating a positive environment for themselves and others.

Of course if this is naturally you then well done, if its not don't despair! Good self-promoters practice, practice, practice enabling them to focus their next pitch better than the one before. They engage in constant feedback and act upon it. They know that when they are rejected by a prospective employer or recruiter it is not a rejection of them as a human being; their product offering is simply not required or appropriate at this time, (but may be in the future). So they pick themselves up and move on to the next opportunity, knowing in their heart of hearts that somebody somewhere has exactly what they are looking for!