In the UK, we can be crushingly self-effacing. Whilst this might make us inherently charming, it doesn’t help when we need to grab a potential employer's attention and stand out with a bold CV. Stepping out of our comfort zone might be difficult, but it's necessary when you're competing with others who will. If you can't blow your own trumpet, you won't be heard; modesty is a mindset some of us just have to get past. Too many years ago as a young hopeful in my twenties, I worked at a really forward-thinking University in Scotland. They hired a new Marketing Director.  She was lively, vivacious, creative - and American. I imagined she must have reconsidered her move overseas, as she burst in the door at 9 am with a sunny American ‘Hey! Morning all!’ ...to watch our quiet dishevelled figures shuffling towards the kettle with our empty coffee cups.  Positivity radiated from her.  She was fantastic. Shortly after she arrived, I was wrapping up the project and looking towards other opportunities. My CV needed an overhaul, and she offered to look at it once it was finished. Her reaction was visceral when I handed it over. ‘Eugh. You Brits!’

Lead with your Strengths, Point to your Powers

“Why won’t you sell yourselves? You’ve got great experience, but you’d never know”. She started running a pen through half of my work summary. "Within the team, I provided ...? Puh-lease ..". She scored through it, scribbling in its place, ‘Delivered project outputs and achieved ...’; ‘Developed innovative solution to ..’On she went until there was more ink than type. She handed my CV back, smiling brightly. "Lead with your strengths, Susan. Point to your powers - don't lose them in waffle". ‘This doesn't sound like me’, I said, reading her changes. ’Is anything in there not true?’ ‘No, but it sounds so ...’ ‘Dynamic? Professional? HIRE ME!?’ ‘Yeah.’ I took her advice, and I swear this CV gave me a toe-in to my next job, which provided the experience to work my way up the ladder to a well-paid career as a CEO. I never forgot her influence, and whilst we, as Brits might see ballsy content as just a tad arrogant, we are undoubtedly just as turned on by it as everyone else, even if we won’t admit to it. That just wouldn't be cricket. So stand out with a bold CV; be brave, use dynamic words with alacrity ... ..and don’t be a total Brit about it.