One of the first and most critical steps of starting the career management process is for each of us to take ownership of why employers should consider hiring us.

In all likelihood, this is a reasonable interview question you might get thrown in your direction: “Why should we hire you?”

Most people have a tough time answering this question. The root cause? This could be one instance where we really can blame our parents. From our childhood, we’ve been taught not to boast, and our parents always encouraged us to always be modest about our accomplishments lest we become braggarts.

The result?

Most of us are actually terrible at saying what exactly makes us good at what we do.

This is a good news / bad news scenario: the good news is that candidates applying for the same position aren’t doing much better than you are in selling themselves.

The bad news: you aren’t doing much better!

Want to be successful and stand out?

Think about what it is that you do best, and use that as the focal point of developing your career messaging. It can have a profound impact on your future!