Selling yourself in a genuine way is a hard concept for some. Standing up and being counted, even harder. 

That’s why folks decline speaking engagements, why they make excuses, why they fear being the first to ask a question and why they pad their CVs with puffery that bears no resemblance to their authentic  experiences.

I suppose that why in a facebook advert for a new public relations assistant, I asked applicants not to bother sending me their  CVs. 

The post calls for a remarkable personality with an equally remarkable  attitude and  I am looking  for someone who could sell themselves through  demonstrated work and not just talk. 

Here’s what the advert said:

“Please don't send a CV. You read that right. Instead impress me! How about three extraordinary letters of recommendation from people who know about your attitude to work? Or a sophisticated project that you led or worked on that we can can see or touch? You can even demonstrate the reputation that precedes you by showing us your blog or scrapbook. Frankly, I am looking for anything that is so compelling, I'll have no choice but to hire you on the spot.”

And here’s  a CV that rocked. If you haven’t clicked it, go back and do so, its worth the time.

This CV demonstrated good work. It had  third party credibility. Moreover it showed ingenutiy, imagination and passion. 

Naturally the writer of this CV is the first person (though not the only one) I’m seeing.  I know you’ll forgive me if I seem biased but I  am hoping that the end result of our interview is as remarkable as its  beginning. 

Here’s what I believe, if you want to sell ideas to your organisation, your team, your new client, you shouldn’t  be like everyone else. You ought to invest the time, skills and effort to  stand out. 

Of course the other side of the equation is what do you do when your foot is in the door.